Program Evaluation Economist
Career GuideKey Responsibilities
- Define evaluation questions and success metrics
- Develop an evaluation plan and research design
- Select appropriate comparison groups
- Build cost and benefit estimates
- Collect and clean administrative and survey data
- Run statistical analyses to estimate program impact
- Check results using robustness tests
- Interpret findings in plain language for nontechnical audiences
- Write reports, briefs, and technical memos
- Present results to stakeholders and decision makers
- Support ethical data use and privacy compliance
- Collaborate with program teams to improve implementation
Top Skills for Success
Impact Evaluation Design
Causal Inference
Statistical Modeling
Econometrics
Data Cleaning
Data Management
Programming for Analysis
Survey Design
Sampling Methods
Cost Effectiveness Analysis
Cost Benefit Analysis
Data Visualization
Technical Writing
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Ethical Data Practice
Career Progression
Can Lead To
Evaluation Specialist
Economist
Research Associate
Policy Analyst
Data Analyst
Transition Opportunities
Senior Economist
Evaluation Manager
Research Manager
Impact Evaluation Lead
Policy Advisor
Chief Economist
Director of Monitoring and Evaluation
Director of Research
Program Strategy Lead
Common Skill Gaps
Often Missing Skills
Causal InferenceImpact Evaluation DesignCost Benefit AnalysisData ManagementProgramming for AnalysisStakeholder CommunicationData VisualizationProject Scoping
Development SuggestionsBuild one complete evaluation portfolio example using a public dataset, including a clear research question, a defined identification strategy, reproducible code, and a short results brief. Pair technical skill building with practice explaining assumptions, limitations, and decisions in plain language.
Salary & Demand
Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 70,000 to 95,000
Mid LevelUSD 95,000 to 130,000
Senior LevelUSD 130,000 to 190,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand driven by evidence based budgeting, results reporting requirements, and increased availability of administrative data. Hiring is strongest in government, international development, health, education, and research consultancies.Companies Hiring
Major Employers
World BankInternational Monetary FundUnited NationsInter American Development BankAbdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action LabInnovations for Poverty ActionRAND CorporationUrban InstituteMathematicaAbt GlobalRTI InternationalICFDeloitteAccenture
Industry Sectors
GovernmentInternational DevelopmentPublic HealthEducationLabor and WorkforceSocial ServicesEnvironment and ClimatePhilanthropyResearch and Consulting
Recommended Next Steps
1
Choose one domain to specialize in such as health, education, labor, or climate2
Create a reusable evaluation template for metrics, methods, and reporting3
Build a portfolio project demonstrating program impact estimation4
Add a portfolio project demonstrating cost effectiveness analysis5
Practice writing a one page policy brief from technical results6
Strengthen programming for analysis skills using real administrative style datasets7
Learn data privacy basics and secure data handling practices8
Network with evaluation teams at research firms, government units, and development organizations9
Prepare interview stories that show rigor, clarity, and stakeholder alignment