State comparison · 2025
Economists salary: District of Columbia vs Kentucky
Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In Kentucky, $71,400. After cost-of-living, the gap is 92.6% — not 134.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+134.7%
District of Columbia vs Kentucky
COL-adjusted gap
+92.6%
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%
Kentucky
Economists
- Median
- $71,400
- p25
- $64,070
- p75
- $100,880
- p10
- $59,810
- p90
- $124,380
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 90.2
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.