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State comparison · 2025

Economists salary: District of Columbia vs Pennsylvania

Occupation

Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In Pennsylvania, $115,000. After cost-of-living, the gap is 29.4% — not 45.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+45.7%
District of Columbia vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+29.4%
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

Pennsylvania

Economists

Median
$115,000
p25
$81,470
p75
$138,010
p10
$64,500
p90
$164,650
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
97.6
Hiring velocity (180d)
-67%
See full breakdown for Pennsylvania

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.