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State comparison · 2025

Economists salary: District of Columbia vs South Carolina

Occupation

Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In South Carolina, $51,980. After cost-of-living, the gap is 174.9% — not 222.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+222.4%
District of Columbia vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+174.9%
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

South Carolina

Economists

Median
$51,980
p25
$50,390
p75
$61,790
p10
$50,390
p90
$73,670
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
93.7
See full breakdown for South 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.