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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Economists salary in San Francisco, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Francisco metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$134,410
Mean annual$148,970
Range (10th to 90th)$78,090 to $220,670
San Francisco, California employment440
State vs national+12.7% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Francisco economists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$78,09025TH$98,550MEDIAN$134,41075TH$180,02090TH$220,670

The middle 50% of workers earn between $98,550 and $180,020, with a median of $134,410.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Master's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    4.6 / 5

  • Economics and Accounting

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5

  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5

  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.1 / 5

  • Mathematics

    Basic skill

    4.1 / 5

  • Critical Thinking

    Cross-functional

    4.1 / 5

  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.1 / 5

  • Writing

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.

  2. 02

    Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.

  3. 03

    Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.

  4. 04

    Supervise research projects and students' study projects.

  5. 05

    Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics.

  6. 06

    Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.

  7. 07

    Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.

  8. 08

    Explain economic impact of policies to the public.

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Other metros in California

How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for economists.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Economists in San Francisco, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Economists in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $134,410.
Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Economists?
The San Francisco metro median is +33.7% versus the California state median of $100,510.
How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Economists?
The San Francisco metro median is +12.7% versus the BLS national figure of $119,230.
What is the salary range for Economists in San Francisco?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,090 and the 90th-percentile at $220,670 for the San Francisco metro area.
What education is required for Economists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.