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Occupation · SOC 19-3011

Economists

There are 17,790 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $124,720 a year. The most jobs are in Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV.

ScienceTypical education: Master's degree
17,790
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$124,720
Median pay a year
Middle half: $89,330–$174,720
1,100
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.7%
821
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
−2.6% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 60 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $156,750 · LCA filings 1244,570$156,750124
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $176,090 · LCA filings 164850$176,090164
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $108,140 · LCA filings 95820$108,14095
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAMedian pay $100,410 · LCA filings 3250$100,4103
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $122,570 · LCA filings 8220$122,5708
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $139,530 · LCA filings 8220$139,5308
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $122,170 · LCA filings 20210$122,17020
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $151,510 · LCA filings 50200$151,51050
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $142,400 · LCA filings 85200$142,40085
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $126,420 · LCA filings 42200$126,42042

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 850 · LCA filings 164$176,090850164
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 4,570 · LCA filings 124$156,7504,570124
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 110 · LCA filings 3$152,7301103
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCEmployment 120 · LCA filings 2$152,1301202
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 50$151,51020050

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 78 · Employment 85016478850
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 55 · Employment 4,570124554,570
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 27 · Employment 8209527820
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 43 · Employment 2008543200
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 25 · Employment 2005025200

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $133,266 · Level III $165,818 · Level IV $198,370$100,714$133,266$165,818$198,370
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $143,541 · Level III $184,454 · Level IV $225,347$102,648$143,541$184,454$225,347
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $109,117 · Level III $136,822 · Level IV $164,528$81,411$109,117$136,822$164,528
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CALevel II $85,946 · Level III $101,546 · Level IV $117,125$70,366$85,946$101,546$117,125
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $109,762 · Level III $132,662 · Level IV $155,542$86,882$109,762$132,662$155,542
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $120,432 · Level III $149,198 · Level IV $177,986$91,645$120,432$149,198$177,986
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $100,298 · Level III $123,344 · Level IV $146,390$77,251$100,298$123,344$146,390
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $123,947 · Level III $155,542 · Level IV $187,138$92,352$123,947$155,542$187,138
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $117,416 · Level III $145,350 · Level IV $173,285$89,482$117,416$145,350$173,285
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $106,059 · Level III $131,414 · Level IV $156,749$80,725$106,059$131,414$156,749

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
EconomicsCIP 45.06 · Usually needs more educationVaries by program9,824Varies by program
Mathematical EconomicsCIP 30.49 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months81STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Business/Managerial EconomicsCIP 52.06 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months331OPT · up to 12 months

See Economists in every metro area

All 60 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology