Economists pay range in Atlanta
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,880 a year or less, while the top 10% make $187,330 or more. The middle half of economists in Atlanta earn between $100,180 and $158,020.
- $82K10th
- $100K25th
- $123KMedian
- $158K75th
- $187K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $132,880 | $11,073 | $63.88 |
| Median | $122,570 | $10,214 | $58.93 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $100,180 | $8,348 | $48.16 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $158,020 | $13,168 | $75.97 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Atlanta vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Economists in Atlanta earn about the same as the Georgia average ($131,680) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $132,880 | $122,570 | $81,880 | $187,330 | 220 |
| Georgia | $131,680 | $122,570 | $78,190 | $187,330 | 260 |
| 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 Atlanta
On the average salary of $132,880, a single filer in Atlanta takes home about $96,207 a year, or $8,017 a month and $3,700 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Atlanta a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Atlanta area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.1), so the average $132,880 buys what about $132,803 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Atlanta ($51,170). A typical home costs $382,938, or 2.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in nearby metro areas
- Nashville, TN$122,610
- Charlotte, NC$141,330
- Tallahassee, FL$78,740
- Jacksonville, FL$137,760
- Durham, NC$159,310
- Raleigh, NC$116,990
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 Atlanta: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Atlanta?
$63.89 an hour on average, and $58.93 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Atlanta?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $81,880 a year and the 25th percentile is $100,180, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Atlanta?
About $96,207 a year ($8,017 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $132,880.
Do economists earn more in Atlanta than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% 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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (12060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.7%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.66, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.66).
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