Paycheck Atlas

Economists salary in California

The median economists in California earns $119,410 a year, 4% below the US median. After tax that is roughly $7,040 a month.

10th percentile
$74,030
25th percentile
$91,320
Median percentile
$119,410
75th percentile
$164,770
90th percentile
$207,380

Based on 860 employed. Data period: BLS OEWS May 2025. Percentiles show the spread of pay, not experience; reading the 25th percentile as "entry level" is only an approximation.

What you keep

$84,476 take-home a year
Gross pay$119,410
Federal income tax−$17,440
Social Security + Medicare−$9,135
California income tax (approx.)−$8,359
Monthly take-home$7,040
Every two weeks$3,249

Does it go far here?

$107,849Median pay in California is worth this at average US prices (local price level 110.7 vs 100).
29%of take-home pay goes to the median rent ($2,036 a month, Census ACS).

Top-paying jobs in California

JobMedian pay
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric$400,150
Neurologists$357,080
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$353,900
Psychiatrists$353,500
General Internal Medicine Physicians$313,890
Obstetricians and Gynecologists$301,240
Nurse Anesthetists$292,410
Physicians, All Other$281,590

All economists salaries · Take-home pay in California