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Economist salary: how it compares to the national full-time average

The median full-time economist earns $2,862 per week, well above the national full-time average of $2,083.70.

This sits on the Australian full-time average.

Week, hour, and a tax sketch

$2,084 a week · $54.83 an hour if spread over 38 hours

About $83,159 after resident income tax and a 2% Medicare levy.

2026–27 resident rates and a 2% Medicare levy. Not a tax assessment.Open the full line

Where the economist salary sits against the national line

The median full-time economist earns $2,862 per week before tax, according to the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as compiled by. That is about $148,824 a year on a 52-week basis. By comparison, the national full-time adult average ordinary-time earnings are $2,083.70 per week (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), or roughly $108,352 a year. The economist median sits comfortably above that average line.

Average vs median: why the distinction matters

The national figure is a mean – the sum of all full-time ordinary-time earnings divided by the number of employees. It can be pulled up by very high earners. The economist figure is a median – the middle point of the earnings distribution. For economists, the median being higher than the national average suggests the profession is relatively high-paid and concentrated above the overall earnings midpoint. The all-employees median (including part-time) is about $74,100 a year, and the full-time median across all occupations is about $90,532 a year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025, as noted on this site). The economist median is well above both.

What would move an economist's pay above the average?

  • Public sector employment: Economists in the Australian Public Service, especially at senior levels (EL2 and above), often earn above the profession's median. The public sector full-time average across all occupations is $2,263.10 per week (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026), but for economists it can be higher.
  • Location: The Australian Capital Territory has the highest state full-time average at $119,090 per year, reflecting the concentration of federal government economists. Western Australia ($115,825) and New South Wales ($109,658) also offer above-average pay.
  • Specialisation: Economists with expertise in financial modelling, econometrics, or regulatory economics can command premiums. Those working for major banks, consulting firms, or the Reserve Bank often earn above the median.
  • Experience: The median age for economists is 35 (Jobs and Skills Australia). More experienced economists, particularly those in management or advisory roles, can earn $3,500–$4,000 per week or more.

What would move an economist's pay below the average?

  • Early career: Graduate economists or those with less than five years' experience may earn below the median. Entry-level roles in private consulting or state government can start around $70,000–$85,000 per year.
  • Part-time or casual work: About 10% of economists work part-time (Jobs and Skills Australia). Part-time weekly earnings are naturally lower, with the all-employees part-time median at $769 per week.
  • Location: Tasmania's full-time average is $96,008 per year, and South Australia's is $102,450. Economists in these states may earn less than the national median for the profession.
  • Industry: Economists in non-profit, academic, or lower-paying private sectors may earn below the median. For example, university-based economists may be paid under academic awards that have different pay scales.

How the figures are set

The national full-time average comes from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey, released twice a year (May and November). The economist median is from the ABS Employee Earnings and Hours survey, conducted every two years. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, or $1,004.90 per week on a 38-hour week (about $52,255 per year). Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. The economist median is far above the minimum wage, reflecting the skilled nature of the profession.

What this means for your salary check

If you are an economist, you can place your salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average and the economist median. You can also explore state and territory averages to see how location affects pay, or browse occupation medians for other roles. For more on how earnings are measured, see how the figures are set.

A note on taxes

Resident tax rates for 2026–27 are: nil up to $18,200; 15% from $18,201 to $45,000; 30% from $45,001 to $135,000; 37% from $135,001 to $190,000; and 45% above $190,000. The Medicare levy adds 2% before any reductions. An economist earning the median of $148,824 would fall into the 37% bracket (plus Medicare), so take-home pay would be roughly $100,000–$105,000 depending on deductions.

Questions

Is the economist salary an average or a median?

The figure of $2,862 per week is a median, meaning half of full-time economists earn more and half earn less. It comes from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. The national full-time average of $2,083.70 per week is a mean from the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026. Medians are less affected by very high or low earners, so the economist median being higher than the national average suggests the profession is concentrated above the middle of the overall earnings distribution.

What could move an economist's pay above the median?

Experience, sector, and location are key. Economists in the public sector (especially federal government) often earn more than those in private consulting. Senior roles, such as chief economist or manager of an economic modelling unit, can push weekly earnings well above $3,500. Specialising in high-demand fields like behavioural economics or data analytics may also lift pay. States with higher average earnings, such as the Australian Capital Territory (full-time average $119,090 per year) and Western Australia ($115,825), tend to offer higher economist salaries.

What could move an economist's pay below the median?

Early-career economists, those in junior analyst roles, or those working in smaller firms or non-profit organisations may earn below the median. Part-time or casual work also reduces weekly earnings. Location matters too: Tasmania's full-time average is $96,008 per year, so economists there may earn less than the national median for the profession. Additionally, economists in roles that are not strictly classified as 'economist' (e.g., policy officers or data analysts) might be paid at lower rates under different award classifications.

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