Economist

Career Guide

Economists study how people, businesses, and governments make decisions about money, resources, and tradeoffs. They use data and research to explain what is happening in the economy now, forecast what may happen next, and recommend actions to improve outcomes.

Browse All Roles

Key Responsibilities

Collect and clean economic and business data
Build and maintain economic models
Analyze trends in inflation, jobs, wages, and growth
Create forecasts and scenario analysis
Design and evaluate policy or program impact
Write clear reports and briefing notes for non experts
Present findings to leaders and stakeholders
Monitor new research and economic indicators
Support pricing, market sizing, and demand analysis
Ensure analysis methods are transparent and repeatable

Top Skills for Success

Statistical Analysis

Data Cleaning

Econometric Modeling

Forecasting

Research Design

Policy Analysis

Market Analysis

Data Visualization

Technical Writing

Stakeholder Communication

Critical Thinking

Programming in Python

Programming in R

SQL

Career Progression

Can Lead To

Senior Economist

Principal Economist

Economic Research Manager

Policy Advisor

Research Director

Chief Economist

Transition Opportunities

Data Scientist

Business Intelligence Manager

Product Analyst

Strategy Manager

Risk Analyst

Quantitative Researcher

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills

SQLData VisualizationExperiment DesignCausal InferenceStakeholder CommunicationProductionizing Analysis

Development SuggestionsBuild a portfolio that shows end to end work, including data preparation, method choice, results, and business or policy recommendation. Practice translating technical findings into simple language for decision makers. Strengthen tooling skills with SQL and one primary programming language, then add clear charts and concise writing.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range

Entry LevelUSD 70,000 to 95,000

Mid LevelUSD 95,000 to 135,000

Senior LevelUSD 135,000 to 200,000

Growth Trend

Steady demand, with stronger growth in roles that combine economics with strong data skills in technology, finance, healthcare, and government. Hiring varies by region and by public versus private sector.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers

Federal Reserve BanksWorld BankInternational Monetary FundUS Bureau of Labor StatisticsUS Department of the TreasuryOECDFannie MaeMoody's AnalyticsAmazonGoogleMicrosoftJPMorgan ChaseGoldman SachsDeloitteMcKinsey

Industry Sectors

GovernmentCentral BankingInternational OrganizationsFinanceInsuranceConsultingTechnologyHealthcareEnergyRetail

Recommended Next Steps

Choose an economist track: policy, research, forecasting, or business economics

Build two to three case studies using public datasets and publish them as short reports

Practice forecasting with back testing and error tracking

Strengthen SQL and one primary programming language for analysis

Create a one page writing sample that explains a finding to non experts

Network with economists in your target sector and ask about typical projects and tools

Tailor your resume to highlight impact, such as improved forecast accuracy or measured program outcomes