Economists pay in California
In California, the median pay for economists is $57.41 an hour ($119,410 a year). About 860 people work in this job there.
That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($124,720). California ranks 16th of 40 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for economists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $35.59 | $74,030 |
| 25% of workers | $43.91 | $91,320 |
| Half of workers (median) | $57.41 | $119,410 |
| 75% of workers | $79.21 | $164,770 |
| 90% of workers | $99.70 | $207,380 |
Economists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $151,510 | 200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $142,400 | 200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $122,750 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $117,920 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $100,410 | 250 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for economists
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +4.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 1,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 |
| School Psychologists | $127,780 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $109,610 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $97,900 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,240 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $157,540 |
| Survey Researchers | $83,520 |
| Sociologists | $125,770 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.