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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.
Other titles employers use
Economic Advisor · Economic Analyst · Economic Consultant · Economic Development Specialist · Economist · Forensic Economist · Project Economist · Research Economist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, organizing and persuading work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.5 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 1.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 50%
- A doctorate or professional degree 29%
- A four-year degree 21%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Development environment software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
- Data base management system software
- Operating system software
- Spreadsheet software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,170
- Job openings each year
- 250
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 1.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 4,170 | 250 | 1.5% |
| California | 1,700 | 120 | 6.3% |
| New York | 960 | 10 | 11.6% |
| Maryland | 940 | 60 | 4.4% |
| Virginia | 870 | 60 | 7.4% |
| Illinois | 700 | 50 | 11.1% |
| Pennsylvania | 620 | 40 | 5.1% |
| Michigan | 580 | 40 | 11.5% |
| Texas | 550 | 40 | 17.0% |
| Washington | 520 | 50 | 23.8% |
| Georgia | 450 | 30 | 9.8% |
| Florida | 400 | 30 | 17.6% |
| Colorado | 320 | 20 | 23.1% |
| Wisconsin | 320 | 20 | 10.3% |
| Minnesota | 260 | 20 | 4.0% |
| Massachusetts | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Missouri | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Kentucky | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Ohio | 200 | 10 | — |
| South Carolina | 180 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Tennessee | 180 | 10 | 5.9% |
| Connecticut | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Arizona | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Oklahoma | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Montana | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| New Jersey | 120 | 10 | −7.7% |
| New Mexico | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Arkansas | 100 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 80 | 10 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Kansas | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Nevada | 70 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Iowa | 60 | 0 | — |
| Utah | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Alaska | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Indiana | 40 | 0 | — |
| Mississippi | 40 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 30 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 1,591
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 1,852
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 1,202
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 940
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 1,044
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 733
- Admit rate
- 5%
- Annual cost after aid
- $0
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 777
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
University of California-Irvine
- Degrees each year
- 1,347
- Admit rate
- 26%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000