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Economic research assistant salary
Average economic research assistant salary
$59,920
Economic Research Assistant Salary Overview
The role of an economic research assistant includes collecting data, performing analyses, and assisting in the preparation of reports. As of October 2025, the average salary stands at $59,920 per year. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors like location, industry, and years of experience.
Salary by State
In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. For instance, the highest-paying states for economic research assistants reflect an average salary exceeding $70,000.
Job Opportunities
Job prospects for economic research assistants are strong, particularly in sectors such as finance, government, and academia. Exploring various industries can lead to lucrative positions and career advancement. Whether you're just starting or looking to transition, understanding salary trends and opportunities is crucial for informed career choices.
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Where can an Economic Research Assistant earn more?
Economic research assistant salary estimates from across the web
Average economic research assistant salary by state
The average economic research assistant salary in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average economic research assistant salary states are Texas, Tennessee, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for economic research assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $96,203 | $46.25 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $90,956 | $43.73 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $81,516 | $39.19 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $79,311 | $38.13 |
| 5 | Illinois | $82,848 | $39.83 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $77,593 | $37.30 |
| 7 | Delaware | $79,098 | $38.03 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $73,369 | $35.27 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $73,474 | $35.32 |
| 10 | Oregon | $71,005 | $34.14 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $73,531 | $35.35 |
| 12 | Washington | $80,174 | $38.55 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $78,921 | $37.94 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $68,166 | $32.77 |
| 15 | California | $69,466 | $33.40 |
| 16 | Missouri | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| 17 | Indiana | $69,663 | $33.49 |
| 18 | Idaho | $72,077 | $34.65 |
| 19 | Maine | $66,896 | $32.16 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $69,288 | $33.31 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $69,667 | $33.49 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $66,018 | $31.74 |
| 23 | New York | $74,895 | $36.01 |
| 24 | Colorado | $63,787 | $30.67 |
| 25 | Utah | $64,127 | $30.83 |
| 26 | Kansas | $65,554 | $31.52 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $63,981 | $30.76 |
| 28 | Montana | $66,030 | $31.75 |
| 29 | Ohio | $63,485 | $30.52 |
| 30 | Nevada | $66,405 | $31.93 |
| 31 | Arizona | $62,041 | $29.83 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $58,142 | $27.95 |
| 33 | Vermont | $58,216 | $27.99 |
| 34 | Alaska | $60,055 | $28.87 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $61,316 | $29.48 |
| 36 | Michigan | $56,125 | $26.98 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $61,506 | $29.57 |
| 38 | Maryland | $66,507 | $31.97 |
| 39 | Virginia | $60,966 | $29.31 |
| 40 | Georgia | $60,035 | $28.86 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $55,321 | $26.60 |
| 42 | Iowa | $57,979 | $27.87 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $56,942 | $27.38 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $58,197 | $27.98 |
| 45 | Tennessee | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| 46 | Florida | $44,109 | $21.21 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $57,256 | $27.53 |
| 48 | Texas | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $33,602 | $16.15 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $39,699 | $19.09 |
| 51 | Alabama | $43,316 | $20.82 |
Highest paying cities for economic research assistants
The highest-paying cities for economic research assistants are Boston, MA, Washington, DC, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $90,924 | $43.71 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $78,857 | $37.91 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $74,564 | $35.85 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $63,674 | $30.61 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $62,069 | $29.84 |
| 6 | Harrisburg, PA | $58,087 | $27.93 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $51,187 | $24.61 |
Economic research assistant salary details
An economic research assistant's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $101,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an economic research assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $101,000 | $8,417 | $49 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $59,920 | $4,993 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying economic research assistant jobs
The highest paying types of economic research assistants are research assistant member, research assistant professor, and research and development assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Scholar | $58,047 | $4,837 | $27.91 | 51,721 |
| Research Internship | $39,573 | $3,298 | $19.03 | 95,123 |
Top companies hiring economic research assistants now:
Which companies pay economic research assistants the most?
Economic research assistant salaries at The George Washington University and American Institutes for Research are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average economic research assistant salary at companies like Visa and Institute For Women's Health are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The George Washington University | $129,156 | $62.09 |
| 2 | American Institutes for Research | $128,658 | $61.85 |
| 3 | Visa | $108,473 | $52.15 |
| 4 | Institute For Women's Health | $67,196 | $32.31 |
| 5 | Information Technology and Innovation Foundation | $63,655 | $30.60 |
| 6 | American Enterprise Institute | $57,693 | $27.74 |
| 7 | The Brookings Institution | $54,176 | $26.05 |
| 8 | Haver Analytics | $53,448 | $25.70 |
| 9 | Americorps | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| 10 | Vanguard Services | $47,645 | $22.91 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Economic Research Assistant salary by industry
The average economic research assistant salary varies across industries:
- The average economic research assistant salary in the finance industry is $91,505, the highest of any industry.
- The average economic research assistant salary in the finance industry is $79,491.
- Economic research assistants in the education industry earn an average salary of $65,364, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for economic research assistants
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $91,505 | $43.99 |
| 2 | Government | $79,491 | $38.22 |
| 3 | Professional | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| 4 | Education | $65,364 | $31.43 |
High paying economic research assistant jobs
Economic research assistant salary trends
The average economic research assistant salary has risen by $12,676 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average economic research assistant earned $47,244 annually, but today, they earn $59,920 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for economic research assistants over the last decade.
Compare economic research assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average economic research assistant salary over time
Compare economic research assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Economic research assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,900 | $28.81 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $57,900 | $27.81 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $56,800 | $27.30 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $56,000 | $26.93 | +6.1% |
| 2021 | $52,600 | $25.28 | +1.6% |
Recently added economic research assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women Against Abuse | Economic Empowerment Assistant | Philadelphia, PA | 06/23/2025 | $37,566 |
| The University of Melbourne | Research Assistant/Fellow, Child Health Economics (2 Position Available) | Parkville, MD | 04/05/2025 | $119,231 |
| Outlier | Economics Researcher | Enon, OH | 03/29/2025 | $62,610 |
| Outlier | Economics Researcher | Mesquite, TX | 03/29/2025 | $62,610 |
| Re Assistant, European and Russian Studies In Washington, Washington, Dc | Research Assistant, Economic Policy Studies | Washington, DC | 03/27/2025 | $50,000 |
| Re Assistant, European and Russian Studies In Washington, Washington, Dc | Research Assistant, Economic Policy Studies | Washington, DC | 02/19/2025 | $50,000 |
| AFBA 5 Star Investment Management Co | Institute for Public Knowledge Global Water Economics Research Assistant | New York, NY | 02/16/2025 | $58,436 |
| New York University | Institute for Public Knowledge Global Water Economics Research Assistant | New York, NY | 02/04/2025 | $58,436 |
| The University of Melbourne | Research Assistant/Research Fellow, Health Economics | Parkville, MD | 12/16/2024 | $119,231 |
| Department of Labor | Economic Assistant | Denver, CO | 12/16/2024 | $43,994 |
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