How much does a economics teacher make?
The median economics teacher in the United States earns $123,920 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all economics teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1063.
Economics teacher salary range
Pay for economics teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $64,060 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $224,200. The average (mean) wage of $138,850 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,060 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $86,840 | |
| Median (50th) | $123,920 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $168,770 | |
| 90th percentile | $224,200 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for economics teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1063), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Economics teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Economics teachers earn the most in New Hampshire at $201,610 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $76,610. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $201,610 | 80 |
| Massachusetts | $164,410 | 750 |
| District of Columbia | $161,860 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $155,950 | 300 |
| California | $137,360 | 770 |
| Arizona | $137,250 | 100 |
| Oregon | $136,450 | 180 |
| Vermont | $134,850 | 80 |
| Maryland | $133,540 | 200 |
| Louisiana | $132,670 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $130,980 | 90 |
| Michigan | $129,400 | 350 |
| Virginia | $128,790 | 460 |
| Utah | $128,370 | 150 |
| New York | $127,500 | 1,240 |
| Maine | $125,960 | 70 |
| Illinois | $124,850 | 460 |
| Texas | $118,530 | 770 |
| Pennsylvania | $117,970 | 610 |
| Georgia | $117,600 | 370 |
| Missouri | $116,530 | 150 |
| North Carolina | $114,200 | 490 |
| New Mexico | $110,020 | 60 |
| New Jersey | $109,880 | 410 |
| South Carolina | $109,060 | 110 |
| Minnesota | $108,460 | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $107,260 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $106,250 | 120 |
| Ohio | $105,930 | 410 |
| Indiana | $105,390 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $104,560 | 250 |
| Kansas | $103,490 | 130 |
| Alabama | $101,250 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $99,970 | 310 |
| Colorado | $98,870 | 270 |
| Washington | $96,500 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $91,170 | 40 |
| Florida | $91,140 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $88,290 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $85,700 | 40 |
| Iowa | $85,090 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $76,610 | 40 |
State median wages for economics teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1063), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for economics teachers
The BLS projects employment of economics teachers to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 14,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for economics teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an economics teacher
The typical entry-level education for economics teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an economics teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Hampshire, $201,610) and the lowest (Arkansas, $76,610) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,560 people work as economics teachers in the United States. At $123,920 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Economics teacher salary FAQ
How much does an economics teacher make an hour?
Economics teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $123,920.
What is the highest economics teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of economics teachers earn more than $224,200 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an economics teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for an economics teacher is $123,920. The average (mean) wage of $138,850 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an economics teacher a well paid job?
At $123,920 a year, an economics teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,560 people work as economics teachers in the United States.
Which state pays economics teachers the most?
New Hampshire has the highest median salary for economics teachers at $201,610 a year. Massachusetts ($164,410) and District of Columbia ($161,860) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an economics teacher a good career?
Employment of economics teachers is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an economics teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for economics teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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