The median annual wage of economists was $89,450 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than the amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,250, and the top 10 percent earned more than $155,490.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of economists in May 2010 were as follows:
| Scientific research and development services | $109,720 |
| Federal executive branch | 106,840 |
| Management, scientific, and technical consulting services | 93,250 |
| Local government | 69,950 |
| State government | 61,620 |
Most economists work full time. Some work under pressure of deadlines and tight schedules that may require overtime.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition