Salary distribution
Where Pennsylvania economists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $84,240 and $122,910, with a median of $113,300.
Economists in Pennsylvania: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 15 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $104,062. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 5 | $77,646 |
| Level II — qualified | 7 | $104,062 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $158,009 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $172,750 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Economists in Pennsylvania. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Express Corporation | Revenue Science Advisor | 4 | $104,062 |
| The Pennsylvania State University | Assistant Teaching Professor | 3 | $74,664 |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | Data Analyst D | 2 | $93,952 |
| Computer Aid, Inc | Data Engineer | 1 | $122,004 |
| The RAND Corporation | Economist, Associate | 1 | $165,000 |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | Behavioral Science, Specialist | 1 | $158,009 |
| Oxford Economics USA, Inc. | Economist [00079960] | 1 | $77,646 |
| Burning Glass Institute Inc. | Senior Economist | 1 | $180,500 |
| The Leland Stanford, Jr University | Social Science Research Scholar | 1 | $106,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Data Analyst D at TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA$86,888PhiladelphiaWage Level IDecided Sep 2, 2025I-200-25237-264536
- Data Engineer at Computer Aid, Inc$122,004PittsburghWage Level IIDecided Aug 13, 2025I-201-25218-225911
- Sr Revenue Science Analyst at Federal Express Corporation$104,062PittsburghWage Level IIDecided Jun 6, 2025I-200-25150-035552
- Economist, Associate at The RAND Corporation$165,000PittsburghWage Level IVDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-956035
- Assistant Teaching Professor at The Pennsylvania State University$70,776University ParkWage Level IDecided May 13, 2025I-200-25126-942299
- Postdoctoral Scholar at The Pennsylvania State University$74,664University ParkWage Level IDecided May 8, 2025I-200-25121-929124
- Assistant Research Professor at The Pennsylvania State University$86,544University ParkWage Level IIDecided Apr 30, 2025I-200-25113-897076
- Behavioral Science, Specialist at The Vanguard Group, Inc.$158,009PhiladelphiaWage Level IIIDecided Apr 16, 2025I-200-25099-846293
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Economists pay by experience level in Pennsylvania
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Economists in Pennsylvania, by industry
Median offered wage across 15 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $86,716.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | The Pennsylvania State University | 6 | $86,716 |
| Transportation and logistics | Federal Express Corporation | 4 | $104,062 |
| Professional services | The RAND Corporation | 3 | $165,000 |
| Technology and software | Computer Aid, Inc | 1 | $122,004 |
| Finance and insurance | The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 1 | $158,009 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Pennsylvania over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- 02
Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.
- 03
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- 04
Supervise research projects and students' study projects.
- 05
Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics.
- 06
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- 07
Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.
- 08
Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+1.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Pennsylvania
Metro-level salary data for economists in major Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.
- Philadelphia$121,820
- Pittsburgh$116,880
Compare Economists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Economists in Pennsylvania?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Economists in Pennsylvania is $113,300.
- How does Pennsylvania compare to the national median for Economists?
- The Pennsylvania median is -5.0% versus the BLS national figure of $119,230.
- What is the salary range for Economists in Pennsylvania?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,920 and the 90th-percentile at $151,590, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Economists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 1.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- 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.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates 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.