Economist
Salary, job outlook, education and requirements
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Also called: Economic Advisor · Economic Analyst · Economic Consultant · Economic Development Specialist · Economist · Forensic Economist · Project Economist · Research Economist
O*NET-SOC 19-3011.00 (Economists)
Economist salary
Wages for economists across all employers, 2025 data. The 10th percentile is typical entry-level pay; the 90th percentile reflects the most experienced and highest-paid workers.
National median hourly wage: $59.96.
Economist pay by state
Ten largest states by population, annual wages.
| State | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $74,030 | $119,410 | $207,380 |
| Texas | $66,760 | $121,420 | $219,140 |
| Florida | $65,850 | $102,430 | $174,900 |
| New York | $82,130 | $136,660 | $292,850 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,500 | $115,000 | $164,650 |
| Ohio | $69,770 | $120,000 | $216,920 |
| Georgia | $78,190 | $122,570 | $187,330 |
| North Carolina | $35,460 | $136,150 | $224,270 |
| Michigan | $72,860 | $106,350 | $178,170 |
Economist job outlook
- Employment is projected to go from 18,600 jobs in 2025 to 19,500 in 2035 (5% change).
- About 1,100 openings are projected each year, including jobs that open up as workers retire or change occupations.
- CareerOneStop outlook rating: Below Average.
How to become an economist
- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- No work experience
- On-the-job training
- No on-the-job training
Education level of current workers
- Bachelor's degree28.2%
- Master's degree35%
- Doctoral or professional degree36.8%
Related training programs
- Agricultural Economics
- Applied Economics
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Development Economics and International Development
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
- Economics and Computer Science
- Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
- Economics, General
- Economics, Other
- Financial Mathematics
- International Economics
- Mathematical Economics
What does an economist do?
Common tasks
- Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
- Review documents written by others.
- Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
- Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.
- Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.
- Supervise research projects and students' study projects.
- Develop economic guidelines and standards, and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy.
Most important skills
- Mathematics
- Using math to solve problems.
- Critical Thinking
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
- Reading Comprehension
- Reading work-related information.
- Speaking
- Talking to others.
- Active Listening
- Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
- Writing
- Writing things for co-workers or customers.
- Active Learning
- Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
Economist certifications
The certifications CareerOneStop maps to this occupation. Requirements vary by employer and state.
- American Academy of Financial Management · Advanced
- The National Development Council · Core
Economist jobs
Current federal openings from USAJOBS. For more economics & statistics jobs, including private-sector listings, see the Economics & Statistics jobs hub.
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM.
Related careers
- Environmental Economists
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- Financial Analyst
- Political Scientists
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary
- Financial Quantitative Analysts
- Investment Fund Managers
- Financial Risk Specialists
- Data Scientist
- Statistician
More economics & statistics careers
This page includes information from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
Source: CareerOneStop occupation profile for Economists. Wages are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program; projections are national long-term projections.