SalaryNode

Average Economists Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Economists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area earn an impressive average annual salary of $146,040. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $145,650, indicating a strong demand for economic expertise in this dynamic metropolitan region. The local economic landscape and the presence of key industries likely contribute to this competitive compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $146,040 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $232,520.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 250 economists and a Location Quotient of 1.17, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area demonstrates a slightly higher concentration of these professionals than the national average. This suggests a robust and active job market for economists, with demand that outpaces the general national trend, pointing to a healthy environment for career growth and opportunities.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$146,040

The average Economists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earns+0.3%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$70.2

Weekly

$2,808

Monthly

$12,170

Economists Salary Distribution in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

The salary spectrum for economists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue typically widens significantly with experience. Entry-level positions will naturally command lower salaries, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record can expect to earn substantially more. The percentile gaps in earnings clearly signify the career progression and increased earning potential as economists advance through junior, mid-level, and senior roles.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$70,560$33.9
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$109,530$52.7
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$129,280$62.2
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$182,550$87.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$232,520$111.8

Detailed Economists Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$146,040

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$146,040

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $146,040 in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of an economist's salary in this region is comparable to the national standard, suggesting that while the pay is slightly higher, the cost of living does not disproportionately erode its value.

Job Market Context

250

Total Jobs

0.121

Per 1K Jobs

1.17

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.17, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Economists roles compared to the national norm.

A Location Quotient of 1.17 indicates that economists are 17% more concentrated in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area than the national average. This suggests a slightly more competitive, yet also more abundant, job market for economists. While there are more opportunities relative to other professions, professionals may face slightly more competition for desirable roles compared to areas with a lower concentration.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Economists

CitySalaryDist.
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA Economists Salary$101,530↓ 30%47 mi

Comparing salaries near Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Hiring Economistss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Economists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median annual salary for a Economists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $146,040. This typically ranges from $70,560 for entry-level positions to $232,520 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 0.3% higher than the national median of $145,650.

Is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA a lucrative place for Economists?

Yes.The average salary of $146,040 is slightly above the national average, and the Location Quotient of 1.17 indicates a strong concentration of these roles, suggesting good demand and compensation.

Is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA a good place to live for Economists?

The Cost of Living Index in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA ($101,530) and others.

How does the Seattle economist salary compare to the national average?

Economists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue earn an average of $146,040 annually, which is slightly higher than the national average of $145,650.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for economists in Seattle?

An LQ of 1.17 means that economists are 17% more concentrated in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue than the national average, indicating a robust local market for these professionals.

Does the cost of living in Seattle affect the value of an economist's salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100 (matching the national average), the $146,040 salary in Seattle offers purchasing power equivalent to the national standard.

How many economists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area?

The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan area employs approximately 250 economists, reflecting a notable presence in the region's workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 250 employees in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area with a job density of 0.121 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Semantic Salary Analysis for Economists • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA