Economists

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Economists does

Economists analyze how people, businesses, and governments make financial decisions and manage resources to understand trends in employment, inflation, and economic growth. They use data and statistical models to inform policy and business strategy across industries.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).

Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~3 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410/yr
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists — $90,150/yr
• Environmental Restoration Planners — $82,220/yr
• Industrial Ecologists — $82,220/yr
• Climate Change Policy Analysts — $82,220/yr