Economists pay range in Raleigh
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,040 a year or less, while the top 10% make $175,720 or more. The middle half of economists in Raleigh earn between $79,410 and $143,040.
- $69K10th
- $79K25th
- $96KMedian
- $143K75th
- $176K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $116,990 | $9,749 | $56.25 |
| Median | $96,030 | $8,002 | $46.17 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $79,410 | $6,618 | $38.18 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $143,040 | $11,920 | $68.77 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Raleigh vs. North Carolina and the U.S.
Economists in Raleigh earn 14% less than the North Carolina average ($136,220) and 18% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | $116,990 | $96,030 | $69,040 | $175,720 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $136,220 | $136,150 | $35,460 | $224,270 | 290 |
| 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 Raleigh
On the average salary of $116,990, a single filer in Raleigh takes home about $86,973 a year, or $7,248 a month and $3,345 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Raleigh a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Raleigh area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 98.2), so the average $116,990 buys what about $119,187 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Raleigh ($51,990). A typical home costs $438,364, or 3.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in other North Carolina cities
Raleigh ranks 3rd of 3 North Carolina metro areas for this job; Durham pays the most ($159,310).
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 Raleigh: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Raleigh?
$56.25 an hour on average, and $46.17 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Raleigh?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $69,040 a year and the 25th percentile is $79,410, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Raleigh?
About $86,973 a year ($7,248 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $116,990.
Do economists earn more in Raleigh than elsewhere?
The average here is 18% 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 Raleigh-Cary, NC (39580). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.3%.
- 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 0.50, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.50).
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