Development Economist Salary in the United States

How much does a Development Economist make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Development Economist in the United States is $133,434 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

However, a Development Economist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $156,174
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,248 to $145,337
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,422

Key Factors That Influence Development Economist Salaries

A Development Economist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Development Economist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Development Economist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $96,502
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $134,488
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $150,849
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $173,048
  • Expert (over 8 years): $304,244
Levels Salary
Economics... Level Development Economist$96,502
Developme... Level Development Economist$134,488
Economics... Level Development Economist$150,849
Economics... Level Development Economist$173,048
VP of Eco... Level Development Economist$304,244

How Do Development Economist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Development Economists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $147,738.
  • California: $147,178.
  • Massachusetts: $145,216.

Top Paying Cities for Development Economists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $168,300
  • San Francisco: $166,458
  • Oakland: $162,950

What Skills Can Increase a Development Economist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 15.98% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Forecasting (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Forecasting is the process of making predictions of the future based on past and present data and most commonly by analysis of trends. A commonplace example might be estimation of some variable of interest at some specified future date. Prediction is a similar, but more general term. Both might refer to formal statistical methods employing time series, cross-sectional or longitudinal data, or alternatively to less formal judgmental methods. Usage can differ between areas of application: for example, in hydrology the terms "forecast" and "forecasting" are sometimes reserved for estimates of values at certain specific future times, while the term "prediction" is used for more general estimates, such as the number of times floods will occur over a long period. Risk and uncertainty are central to forecasting and prediction; it is generally considered good practice to indicate the degree of uncertainty attaching to forecasts. In any case, the data must be up to date in order for the forecast to be as accurate as possible. In some cases the data used to predict the variable of interest is itself forecasted.
  • Pricing (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Pricing is a process of fixing the value that a manufacturer will receive in the exchange of services and goods.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 15.98%
Forecasting 1.86%
Pricing 1.41%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Development Economist's salary.

  • Trading: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Inference: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Machine Learning: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Trading $145,443
9%
Inference $145,443
9%
Machine Learning $141,440
6%

Development Economist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Development Economist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Development Economist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Development Economist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Development Economist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$166,792$80.025%
Biotechnology$160,121$77.020%
Pharmaceuticals$160,121$77.020%
Healthcare$153,449$74.015%
Energy & Utilities$146,777$71.010%

Development Economist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Development Economist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$118,248
Average $133,434/year
$145,337
$9,854
Average $11,120/month
$12,111
$2,274
Average $2,566/week
$2,795
$57
Average $64/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $145,337 $12,111 $2,795 $70
Average $133,434 $11,120 $2,566 $64
25th Percentile $118,248 $9,854 $2,274 $57

Most common benefits for Development Economist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Development Economist

Here are companies hiring for Development Economist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Development Economist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Development Economist?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Development Economist roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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