Economist pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20001539
- Class code
- 20001539
- Pay grade
- 18
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Economist is $5,377 to $8,604 per month, spanning every alternate range the plan defines.
- Kentucky publishes an entry rate and a midpoint for each pay grade, not a maximum, so the upper figure on this page is the grade midpoint.
- That works out to about $64,528 to $103,245 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20001539.
- The plan defines 3 alternate ranges for this class, so the rate depends on which criteria an employee meets.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Alternate ranges
| Range | Entry | Midpoint | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range 37.5-hour week | $5,377 | $8,066 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $5,736 | $8,604 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $33.09 | $49.64 | per hour |
Which alternate range applies is set by the plan's own criteria (experience, certification or assignment). The criteria text lives in the source document.
Class specification
The Personnel Cabinet class specification for this class is published by Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 09/16/2023.
What the state says the job is
Serves as a primary policy advisor to a director or manager on economic issues in a specific area. Conducts professional level economic and technical research, planning and analysis for a state agency; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Serves as a primary policy advisor on economic issues in a specific area. Performs and coordinates duties in the collection, analysis and presentation of economic data. Designs objectives and methods for and executes comprehensive economic analysis. Conducts computerized econometric models applicable to a wide range of administrative, budget and economic studies and programs (such as revenue forecasting, utility studies, energy studies and state and local tax systems and economies). Analyzes economic and fiscal results of price or tax changes or developments. Studies management efficiency and cost of services for utilities.
Minimum qualifications
EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a master's degree in economics, statistics or finance. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Five years of professional experience in economic research, planning, analysis, or teaching in one of the above academic areas. Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: Either of these options will substitute for the required education and experience: 1. Admission to candidacy in a doctoral program in economics, statistics, or finance. Must have four years of professional experience in economic research, planning, analysis, or teaching in one of the above academic areas. OR 2. PhD in economics, statistics, or finance. Must have three years of professional experience in economic research, planning, analysis, or teaching in one of the above academic areas.
Quoted from the Personnel Cabinet class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes this figure in Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule, effective September 16, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their pay grades come from the Job Specification Search, joined to the salary schedule.
Nearby classes in Kentucky
Economist in other states
| State | Entry | Midpoint | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $73,668 | $147,336 | $73,668 to $147,336 |
| Missouri | $59,064 | $137,040 | $59,064 to $137,040 |
| Nebraska | $27.96 | $41.22 | $58,159 to $85,733 |
| New Mexico | $36.43 | $54.65 | $75,774 to $113,672 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,086 | $104,959 | $69,086 to $104,959 |
| South Carolina | $58,854 | $105,978 | $58,854 to $105,978 |
| Wisconsin | $21.70 | $49.82 | $45,136 to $103,626 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.