Economists: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2024)

How does Economists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

331% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$52,310
$4,359/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$105,430
$8,786/mo
Senior (P90)
$225,250
$18,771/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$52,310
National: $61,974
-15.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$105,430
National: $98,241
+7.3%
Senior (P90)
$225,250
National: $153,004
+47.2%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Economists in Illinois spans from $52,310 at entry-level to $225,250 at senior level — a difference of $172,940 per year.

P10
$52K
P25
$74K
Median
$105K
P75
$143K
P90
$225K

Career Growth Premium: +331%

Senior Economistss in Illinois earn $172,940 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$172,940
Monthly Difference
+$14,412
Hourly Difference
+$83.14
Growth Multiple
4.3x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Economists salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $52,310 $4,359 $25.15
Early Career P25 $74,290 $6,191 $35.72
Mid-Career Median $105,430 $8,786 $50.69
Experienced P75 $143,350 $11,946 $68.92
Senior / Expert P90 $225,250 $18,771 $108.29
Key Insight

Economists in Illinois offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $52,310 to $225,250. This 331% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Economists senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$225,480
Entry: $77K
+192%
2
$225,250
Entry: $52K
+331%
3
$219,240
Entry: $71K
+208%
4
$213,320
Entry: $77K
+177%
5
$212,260
Entry: $60K
+250%
6
$201,650
Entry: $70K
+188%
7
$183,500
Entry: $80K
+128%
8
$175,860
Entry: $56K
+211%
9
$174,250
Entry: $39K
+343%
10
$173,460
Entry: $60K
+186%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Economists?

Entry-level Economistss (10th percentile) earn approximately $52,310 per year, or $4,359 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $74,290. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Economists make?

Senior Economistss (90th percentile) earn approximately $225,250 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $143,350. This represents a career premium of 331% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Economists?

The career salary growth potential for Economistss is 331%. Entry-level professionals start at $52,310, while senior-level can earn up to $225,250 — a difference of $172,940 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Economistss?

The highest-paying state for senior Economistss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $225,250 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Economists salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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