Economists
SOC Code: 19-3011Also known as:
Agricultural Economist, Business Economist, Consultant Economist, Econometrician, Economic Advisor
Median Annual Salary
$115,440
+1.2% growth (2024-2034)
900
Openings/Year
18K
Current Jobs
What Economists Do
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.
💰 Salary
$115,440
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.2%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
900
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
17,600
Projected Employment (2034)
17,800
Related Careers
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350 •
+5.7% growth
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$80,060 •
+4.4% growth
Economists
$115,440 •
+1.2% growth
Economics teachers, postsecondary
$119,980 •
+2.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Writing
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Supervise research projects and students' study projects.
- Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.
- Develop economic guidelines and standards, and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Economists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a economists:
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
22,727 degrees awarded •
298 colleges offer this program
Economics, General
21,627 degrees awarded •
659 colleges offer this program
Financial Mathematics
5,335 degrees awarded •
118 colleges offer this program
Business/Managerial Economics
4,583 degrees awarded •
193 colleges offer this program
Agricultural Economics
1,768 degrees awarded •
42 colleges offer this program
Development Economics and International Development
375 degrees awarded •
48 colleges offer this program
Applied Economics
368 degrees awarded •
31 colleges offer this program
International Economics
281 degrees awarded •
26 colleges offer this program
Political Economy
266 degrees awarded •
19 colleges offer this program
Economics, Other
250 degrees awarded •
24 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Economists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become economists.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do economists make?
The median annual salary for economists is $115,440.
What education do economists need?
Most economists positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Economics, General, Financial Mathematics.
Is becoming economists a good career choice?
Economists is projected to see +1.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 900 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for economists?
Top colleges for aspiring economists include
University of California-Los Angeles, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Irvine, University of Chicago, New York University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to economists?
Economists may also be known as: Agricultural Economist, Business Economist, Consultant Economist, Econometrician, Economic Advisor, Economic Analyst, Economic Consultant, Economic Developer, Economic Development Manager, Economic Development Specialist, Economic Research Analyst, Economic Specialist, Economist, Environmental Economist, Financial Economist, Fiscal Economist, Forecast Analyst, Forensic Economist, Forest Economist, Health Economics Consultant.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.