Economists
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: Agricultural Economist, Business Economist, Consultant Economist, Econometrician, Economic Advisor, Economic Analyst
Median pay
$124,720
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$67,360 – $238,060
People employed
17,790
Holland code
ICE
Investigative · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 5.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 6.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 7.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 8.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Economists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (39 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What economists do
- 01Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- 02Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- 03Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- 04Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
- 05Review documents written by others.
- 06Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from economists
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary87% · −1%
- Investment Fund Managers84% · group pay
- Business Intelligence Analysts84% · group pay
- Statisticians83% · −15%
- Actuaries81% · +4%
Change into economists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Economics Teachers, Postsecondary87% · $123,920
- Financial Quantitative Analysts87% · $81,100
- Actuaries82% · $130,000
- Climate Change Policy Analysts81% · $82,220
- Investment Fund Managers81% · $166,570
Majors that lead here
- Agricultural Economics
- Environmental/Natural Resource Economics
- Financial Mathematics
- Economics and Computer Science
- Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
- Mathematical Economics
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Economics, General
- Applied Economics
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
- Development Economics and International Development
- International Economics
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.