Economists pay range in Indianapolis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $67,360 a year or less, while the top 10% make $170,280 or more. The middle half of economists in Indianapolis earn between $102,170 and $160,430.
- $67K10th
- $102K25th
- $138KMedian
- $160K75th
- $170K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $130,110 | $10,842 | $62.55 |
| Median | $138,260 | $11,522 | $66.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $102,170 | $8,514 | $49.12 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $160,430 | $13,369 | $77.13 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Indianapolis vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Economists in Indianapolis earn 34% more than the Indiana average ($96,780) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is +11% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis | $130,110 | $138,260 | $67,360 | $170,280 | 30 |
| Indiana | $96,780 | $80,750 | $47,350 | $163,380 | 80 |
| 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 Indianapolis
On the average salary of $130,110, a single filer in Indianapolis takes home about $93,715 a year, or $7,810 a month and $3,604 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 (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Is Indianapolis a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Indianapolis area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $130,110 buys what about $135,962 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Indianapolis ($49,340). A typical home costs $295,921, or 2.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in nearby metro areas
- Cincinnati, OH$136,130
- Ann Arbor, MI$131,430
- Lansing, MI$97,700
- Milwaukee, WI$82,420
- St. Louis, MO$156,690
- Detroit, MI$118,230
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 Indianapolis: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Indianapolis?
$62.55 an hour on average, and $66.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Indianapolis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $67,360 a year and the 25th percentile is $102,170, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Indianapolis?
About $93,715 a year ($7,810 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $130,110. Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
Do economists earn more in Indianapolis than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% 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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN (26900). 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 (2025 rules). Includes Indianapolis's local income tax (2.02%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.26, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.26).
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