State comparison · 2025
Economists salary: District of Columbia vs Iowa
Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In Iowa, $96,310. After cost-of-living, the gap is 39% — not 74%.
Nominal pay gap
+74%
District of Columbia vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+39%
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%
Iowa
Economists
- Median
- $96,310
- p25
- $64,210
- p75
- $133,970
- p10
- $59,980
- p90
- $144,750
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 87.8
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.