Economist salary in Australia
The median full-time salary for an economist is $148,800 per annum, before tax, up $31,200 since 2018.
- Pay depends heavily on the employer: public sector roles follow published classification scales, while banks, consultancies and resources companies pay more for similar analysis.
- A postgraduate qualification and a few years of specialist experience move it up, and economists who shift into management or commercial strategy earn above the analytical range.
- Contract and consulting rates can run higher again, though they come without the superannuation and leave loading of a salaried public sector job.
The median salary rose by $31,200 between 2018 and 2024; the dashed line shows a projection to 2028 based on the real ABS Wage Price Index growth rate, not a role-specific forecast.
Roles that pay more than economist
The largest typical pay rise is $4,300 a year, moving into Policy and Planning Manager.
- Policy and Planning Manager+$4,300/yr
- University Lecturer+$3,200/yr
How to negotiate a higher economist salary
- Know the market rate before you ask. The median full-time economist salary is $148,800; use that, not a guess, as your anchor, and adjust for your experience and employer.
- Lead with what's scarce, not just tenure. Skills like Economic modelling and Statistical modelling tend to command a premium over general economist experience, name them specifically when you ask.
- Bring a real alternative to the table. Policy and Planning Manager pays a typical $4,300 a year more and draws on similar skills, even mentioning you're weighing it up is a legitimate data point in a pay conversation.
- Time it deliberately. Reviews, the end of a project you delivered, or taking on responsibility beyond your job description are stronger moments to ask than an arbitrary date on the calendar.
- Ask for a number, not a raise. "Based on the market rate and [specific contribution], I'd like to move to X" gets a clearer answer than "I think I deserve more."
Economist salary questions
How much do economists earn in Australia?
The median full-time salary for an economist is $148,800 a year before tax. Seniority, specialisation, sector and the award or agreement you're employed under all move it.
Is economist pay rising or falling?
The median economist salary is up $31,200 since 2018. Figures from 2025 onward on this page are a projection, not a measured result.
What pays more than economist?
Policy and Planning Manager pays a typical $4,300 a year more and draws on similar skills to economist.
Related salaries
- Policy and Planning Manager salary
- Management Consultant salary
- University Lecturer salary
- Data Scientist salary
- Demographer salary
- Policy Officer salary
Pay advice
- How to ask for a pay rise, and back it up with real numbersWhat national wage growth looks like right now, how to work out a figure for your own role, wording you can adapt for the conversation, and what to do if the answer is no.
- The average salary in Australia (2026)Full-time adults in Australia averaged $2,083.70 a week in May 2026. Several measures get called the average salary, and this explains which one fits your situation.
- Overtime pay, time in lieu and what your award saysOvertime rates come from your award or agreement, not one national rule. How rates work, what happens on a salary, and how time off in lieu works.