Economists pay range in Denver
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $73,450 a year or less, while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle half of economists in Denver earn between $82,430 and $159,120.
- $73K10th
- $82K25th
- $121KMedian
- $159K75th
- $195K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $126,990 | $10,582 | $61.05 |
| Median | $121,410 | $10,118 | $58.37 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $82,430 | $6,869 | $39.63 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $159,120 | $13,260 | $76.50 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Denver vs. Colorado and the U.S.
Economists in Denver earn about the same as the Colorado average ($127,020) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $126,990 | $121,410 | $73,450 | $195,190 | 150 |
| Colorado | $127,020 | $121,410 | $73,450 | $193,480 | 240 |
| United States | $142,130 | $124,720 | $67,360 | $238,060 | 17,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Economists salary after taxes in Denver
On the average salary of $126,990, a single filer in Denver takes home about $93,184 a year, or $7,765 a month and $3,584 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
Is Denver a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Denver area are 6% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.8), so the average $126,990 buys what about $120,049 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Denver ($62,320). A typical home costs $573,221, or 4.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in other Colorado cities
Denver ranks 2nd of 3 Colorado metro areas for this job; Fort Collins pays the most ($127,170).
- Fort Collins$127,170
- Denver$126,990
- Boulder$117,480
Highest-paying cities for economists
New York, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($184,860).
- New York, NY$184,860
- Washington, DC$166,140
- Durham, NC$159,310
- St. Louis, MO$156,690
- Los Angeles, CA$155,860
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Economists salary in Denver: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Denver?
$61.05 an hour on average, and $58.37 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Denver?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $73,450 a year and the 25th percentile is $82,430, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Denver?
About $93,184 a year ($7,765 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $126,990. Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
Do economists earn more in Denver than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($142,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3011; area Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (19740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.80, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.80).
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