Economists pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $87,110 a year or less, while the top 10% make $278,090 or more. The middle half of economists in San Diego earn between $104,600 and $179,650.
- $87K10th
- $105K25th
- $123KMedian
- $180K75th
- $278K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $145,410 | $12,118 | $69.91 |
| Median | $122,750 | $10,229 | $59.01 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $104,600 | $8,717 | $50.29 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $179,650 | $14,971 | $86.37 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Economists in San Diego earn 9% more than the California average ($133,680) and about the same as 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $145,410 | $122,750 | $87,110 | $278,090 | 50 |
| California | $133,680 | $119,410 | $74,030 | $207,380 | 860 |
| 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 San Diego
On the average salary of $145,410, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $101,223 a year, or $8,435 a month and $3,893 every two weeks. Taxes take 30% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $145,410 buys what about $129,961 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.1 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 4th of 5 California metro areas for this job; Los Angeles pays the most ($155,860).
- Los Angeles$155,860
- Riverside$145,870
- San Francisco$145,630
- San Diego$145,410
- Sacramento$101,690
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Economists salary in San Diego: questions
How much do economists make an hour in San Diego?
$69.91 an hour on average, and $59.02 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $87,110 a year and the 25th percentile is $104,600, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in San Diego?
About $101,223 a year ($8,435 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $145,410. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do economists earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 10.1%.
- 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). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.27, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.27).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.