State comparison · 2025
Economists salary: District of Columbia vs Illinois
Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In Illinois, $112,790. After cost-of-living, the gap is 35.2% — not 48.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+48.6%
District of Columbia vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+35.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
District of Columbia
Economists
- Median
- $167,590
- p25
- $115,910
- p75
- $224,080
- p10
- $98,350
- p90
- $299,110
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 109.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -58%
Illinois
Economists
- Median
- $112,790
- p25
- $82,210
- p75
- $150,900
- p10
- $66,930
- p90
- $225,440
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -83%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.