State comparison · 2025
Economists salary: District of Columbia vs Virginia
Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590. In Virginia, $137,590. After cost-of-living, the gap is 12.1% — not 21.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+21.8%
District of Columbia vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+12.1%
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%
Virginia
Economists
- Median
- $137,590
- p25
- $93,920
- p75
- $179,730
- p10
- $74,600
- p90
- $232,410
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 101.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -67%
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.