Economist salary: how state and industry shape your pay
See how economist salary compares to the national line, with state and industry differences. Based on ABS and Jobs and Skills Australia data.
Economists earn well above the national line, with median full-time weekly earnings of $2,862, giving a salary index of around 137.
Economist salary: state and industry differences
When people ask about an economist salary, they usually want to know how much economists earn and whether it varies by where they work or what industry they're in. The short answer is that economists are paid well above the national average, but the exact figure depends on factors like state, industry, and experience. Let's look at the data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Jobs and Skills Australia.
The national picture for economists
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for economists are $2,862. That's based on full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, which is a clean comparison group. To put that in perspective, the national line – full-time adult ordinary-time earnings – sits at $2,083.70 per week (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). That gives an economist salary index of roughly 137, meaning economists earn about 37% more than the benchmark.
Hourly, economists earn a median of $75, compared to $47 for all occupations. And 90% of economists work full-time, well above the 69% average across all jobs.
How state affects economist salary
State matters for pay, but economist-specific state earnings aren't published. We can look at where economists work and use state-level earnings for all employees as a guide. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory employ the largest shares of economists. The ACT alone accounts for 15.9% of the occupation, despite being a small state by population.
State-level average weekly total cash earnings for all employees (ABS, May 2025) show the ACT at $1,820.50, Western Australia at $1,710.40, and NSW at $1,630.90. Economists in these states likely earn above those averages given their professional status. The states page on Salary Index breaks down how each state compares to the national line.
Industry differences for economists
Economists work mainly in three industries: Public Administration and Safety, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, and Education and Training. The ABS industry earnings table shows that Professional, Scientific and Technical Services has average weekly total cash earnings of $2,072.40 for all employees, while Public Administration and Safety is $2,001.00. Education and Training is lower at $1,587.80, but economists in that sector are often in research or policy roles that may pay above the industry average.
For a broader view, the industries page shows how different sectors compare on the salary index. Mining leads at 154.7, while retail trade is 75.9. Economists in the public sector (Public Administration) often have structured pay scales, while those in professional services may negotiate individual arrangements – 38.5% of all employees have their pay set by individual arrangement, according to the ABS.
Putting it together: what to expect
If you're looking at an economist salary, the national median of $2,862 per week is a solid starting point. But if you're in the ACT or NSW, or working in professional services or government, you might expect to be at the higher end. The pay guides section has more on how awards and enterprise agreements affect pay, though economists are often covered by individual contracts or professional awards.
Remember that the salary index is a benchmark, not a quote for a specific job. Your actual pay will depend on experience, qualifications, and the employer. The how the index works page explains the calculation in more detail.
A note on the data
The economist earnings data comes from Jobs and Skills Australia's occupation profile, which uses ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025. The national line is from ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Both are reputable sources, but the time difference means the index is approximate. Also, the economist median excludes managers and part-timers, so it's a conservative measure of full-time professional pay.
For more on how your salary compares, check the topics page for related guides.
Questions people ask
How does an economist salary compare to the national average?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time weekly earnings for economists are $2,862, well above the national line of $2,083.70 (full-time adult ordinary-time earnings). That puts the economist salary index at roughly 137 – meaning economists earn about 37% more than the benchmark. Hourly median earnings are $75, compared to $47 for all occupations.
Which industries pay economists the most?
Economists are concentrated in Public Administration and Safety, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, and Education and Training. While industry-specific economist data is limited, the ABS reports that average weekly total cash earnings in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services are $2,072.40 for all employees, and in Public Administration and Safety it's $2,001.00. Economists in these sectors likely earn above those averages given their specialised skills.
Does an economist's salary vary by state?
Yes. Jobs and Skills Australia shows that New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory employ the largest shares of economists. State-level earnings for all employees vary: the ACT has the highest average weekly total cash earnings ($1,820.50), followed by Western Australia ($1,710.40) and NSW ($1,630.90). Economists in these states may see higher pay, but specific economist state earnings are not published. The national median of $2,862/week is a useful benchmark regardless of location.