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Best states for a principal research economist
Quoted expert
David Bunting Ph.D.
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
We decided to bring you a list of the best states for jobs for principal research economists in the United States. Principal research economist positions are available in every state, but not all states are the same. Some states do not offer the same wages, benefits, time off, etc for principal research economists.In fact, our research shows that Oregon is the best state for principal research economists in America. The best city in America for principal research economists with the highest pay is San Francisco, CA.
To that end, we dove into our dataset of job and salary numbers to figure out which states have the best opportunities for principal research economists. Oregon is the best state for principal research economists, where the median salary is $127,598.If you are currently seeking employment as a principal research economist, you can find open job positions using Zippia's search tools.
10 best states for principal research economists in 2025
1. Oregon
Total principal research economist jobs: 860 Average annual salary: $127,598 Lowest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $204,000 Location Quotient: 1.69
2. Washington
Total principal research economist jobs: 1,012 Average annual salary: $126,724 Lowest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $202,000 Location Quotient: 1.13
3. New Hampshire
Total principal research economist jobs: 323 Average annual salary: $104,747 Lowest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $155,000 Location Quotient: 1.5
4. Nevada
Total principal research economist jobs: 247 Average annual salary: $113,773 Lowest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $180,000 Location Quotient: 0.96
5. Vermont
Total principal research economist jobs: 186 Average annual salary: $102,529 Lowest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location Quotient: 1.97
6. Idaho
Total principal research economist jobs: 253 Average annual salary: $105,535 Lowest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $170,000 Location Quotient: 1.25
7. Pennsylvania
Total principal research economist jobs: 1,695 Average annual salary: $103,180 Lowest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location Quotient: 1.18
8. California
Total principal research economist jobs: 3,865 Average annual salary: $118,374 Lowest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $188,000 Location Quotient: 1.07
9. Hawaii
Total principal research economist jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $137,832 Lowest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $205,000 Location Quotient: 0.77
10. Connecticut
Total principal research economist jobs: 495 Average annual salary: $105,045 Lowest 10 percent earn: $71,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $154,000 Location Quotient: 1.21
Principal research economist jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a principal research economist
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a principal research economist
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $127,598 | $79,000 | 4,142,776 | 860 |
| 2 | Washington | $126,724 | $79,000 | 7,405,743 | 1,012 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $104,747 | $70,000 | 1,342,795 | 323 |
| 4 | Nevada | $113,773 | $71,000 | 2,998,039 | 247 |
| 5 | Vermont | $102,529 | $68,000 | 623,657 | 186 |
| 6 | Idaho | $105,535 | $65,000 | 1,716,943 | 253 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $103,180 | $69,000 | 12,805,537 | 1,695 |
| 8 | California | $118,374 | $74,000 | 39,536,653 | 3,865 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $137,832 | $92,000 | 1,427,538 | 79 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $105,045 | $71,000 | 3,588,184 | 495 |
| 11 | Alaska | $159,314 | $106,000 | 739,795 | 30 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $105,635 | $71,000 | 1,059,639 | 119 |
| 13 | Arizona | $98,924 | $64,000 | 7,016,270 | 987 |
| 14 | Michigan | $98,889 | $66,000 | 9,962,311 | 937 |
| 15 | Delaware | $102,635 | $69,000 | 961,939 | 151 |
| 16 | Maine | $101,381 | $68,000 | 1,335,907 | 142 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $97,681 | $65,000 | 1,815,857 | 164 |
| 18 | Ohio | $97,577 | $65,000 | 11,658,609 | 1,130 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $104,207 | $70,000 | 9,005,644 | 808 |
| 20 | Montana | $93,887 | $61,000 | 1,050,493 | 217 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $105,535 | $71,000 | 6,859,819 | 458 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $94,547 | $63,000 | 5,795,483 | 667 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $93,652 | $62,000 | 10,273,419 | 1,373 |
| 24 | Virginia | $98,851 | $67,000 | 8,470,020 | 1,574 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $92,652 | $60,000 | 2,088,070 | 312 |
| 26 | New York | $104,522 | $70,000 | 19,849,399 | 1,137 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $92,196 | $62,000 | 5,576,606 | 1,157 |
| 28 | Indiana | $92,738 | $61,000 | 6,666,818 | 652 |
| 29 | Illinois | $92,516 | $61,000 | 12,802,023 | 1,918 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $92,152 | $63,000 | 755,393 | 90 |
| 31 | Maryland | $101,594 | $68,000 | 6,052,177 | 562 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $91,013 | $60,000 | 4,454,189 | 335 |
| 33 | Utah | $93,799 | $59,000 | 3,101,833 | 259 |
| 34 | Texas | $89,851 | $59,000 | 28,304,596 | 2,393 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $101,120 | $68,000 | 693,972 | 117 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $87,787 | $58,000 | 6,715,984 | 592 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $85,486 | $56,000 | 579,315 | 85 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $85,873 | $57,000 | 3,004,279 | 271 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $86,290 | $58,000 | 869,666 | 101 |
| 40 | Colorado | $84,189 | $55,000 | 5,607,154 | 1,133 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $89,628 | $59,000 | 5,024,369 | 274 |
| 42 | Georgia | $87,283 | $57,000 | 10,429,379 | 1,109 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $87,234 | $57,000 | 2,984,100 | 150 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $83,632 | $55,000 | 1,920,076 | 327 |
| 45 | Alabama | $86,679 | $57,000 | 4,874,747 | 279 |
| 46 | Missouri | $84,881 | $56,000 | 6,113,532 | 756 |
| 47 | Iowa | $86,501 | $57,000 | 3,145,711 | 263 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $87,908 | $57,000 | 4,684,333 | 219 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $85,960 | $57,000 | 3,930,864 | 241 |
| 50 | Florida | $81,587 | $53,000 | 20,984,400 | 2,313 |
| 51 | Kansas | $83,767 | $55,000 | 2,913,123 | 342 |
Highest paying states for principal research economists
| Rank | State | Avg. Principal Research Economist Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $127,598 |
| 2 | Washington | $126,724 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | $104,747 |
| 4 | Nevada | $113,773 |
| 5 | Vermont | $102,529 |
| 6 | Idaho | $105,535 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $103,180 |
| 8 | California | $118,374 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $137,832 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $105,045 |
| 11 | Alaska | $159,314 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $105,635 |
| 13 | Arizona | $98,924 |
| 14 | Michigan | $98,889 |
| 15 | Delaware | $102,635 |
| 16 | Maine | $101,381 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $97,681 |
| 18 | Ohio | $97,577 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $104,207 |
| 20 | Montana | $93,887 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $105,535 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $94,547 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $93,652 |
| 24 | Virginia | $98,851 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $92,652 |
| 26 | New York | $104,522 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $92,196 |
| 28 | Indiana | $92,738 |
| 29 | Illinois | $92,516 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $92,152 |
| 31 | Maryland | $101,594 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $91,013 |
| 33 | Utah | $93,799 |
| 34 | Texas | $89,851 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $101,120 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $87,787 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $85,486 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $85,873 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $86,290 |
| 40 | Colorado | $84,189 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $89,628 |
| 42 | Georgia | $87,283 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $87,234 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $83,632 |
| 45 | Alabama | $86,679 |
| 46 | Missouri | $84,881 |
| 47 | Iowa | $86,501 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $87,908 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $85,960 |
| 50 | Florida | $81,587 |
| 51 | Kansas | $83,767 |
Expert opinions on the best states for principal research economists
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for principal research economists to find work opportunities?
David Bunting Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, Eastern Washington University
Go where the jobs are; move to larger cities because of more employers.
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Updated January 8, 2025