How much can economists earn?

In the US academic economists are paid considerably more than their UK counterparts.

This breakdown of Larry Summers' pay last year goes some way to explaining why. The market decides.

With the hedge fund collapes I suspect this amount will be lower this year.

Financial Industry Paid Millions to Obama Aide [New York Times]

WASHINGTON — Lawrence H. Summers, the top economic adviser to President Obama, earned more than $5 million last year from the hedge fund D. E. Shaw and collected $2.7 million in speaking fees from Wall Street companies that received government bailout money, the White House disclosed Friday in releasing financial information about top officials.

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