RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Economists salary: District of Columbia vs North Carolina

Occupation

Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In North Carolina, $136,150. After cost-of-living, the gap is 5.6% — not 23.1%.

Nominal pay gap
+23.1%
District of Columbia vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+5.6%
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%
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

North Carolina

Economists

Median
$136,150
p25
$79,790
p75
$172,860
p10
$35,460
p90
$224,270
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
94.3
Hiring velocity (180d)
-60%
See full breakdown for North Carolina

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.