12+ Jobs for Economics Majors

Jobs for economics majors exist in practically every industry, from academia to financial services to technology. Studying economics is a great way to develop strong research and analysis skills vital for many of today’s best-paying and fastest-growing careers. 

>>MORE: How to Choose a Career: 6 Steps, Plus a Free Quiz

Top Jobs for Economics Majors By the Numbers 

	Average Salary	Projected Job Growth 2021-2031
Accountant or Auditor	$86,740	4%
Actuary	$127,580	23%
Data Scientist	$115,240	35%
Economist	$128,180	6%
Financial Analyst	$108,790	8%
Financial Manager	$166,050	16%
Journalist	$86,290	-3%
Lawyer	$163,770	8%
Market Research Analyst	$78,880	13%
Personal Finance Adviser	$137,740	13%
Political Scientist	$126,140	7%
Postsecondary Educator	$122,750	8%

Best Jobs With an Economics Degree Explained 

Accountant or Auditor 

Accountants and auditors review and report financial information for businesses, individuals, and government organizations. Most accountants and auditors have bachelor’s degrees, though some pursue master’s degrees to help meet educational credit hour requirements for certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. 

An accountant can typically work in public or private accounting: 

• Public accountants work for accounting firms and act as third parties to review the financial records of publicly traded companies.
• Private accountants work for a business or individual and assist in managing and recording financial activities like quarterly performance, transaction details, and budgets. 

Similarly, auditors usually work internally or externally: 

• Internal auditors audit a business’s processes, finances, and systems to ensure accuracy, compliance with regulatory requirements, and efficiency. 
• External auditors work for an accounting firm and perform audits on publicly traded companies to ensure transparency, accuracy, and compliance in the company’s financial reports. 

Actuary

Using math, statistics, and financial theories, actuaries analyze risks involved with financial and business activities and devise strategies to manage and minimize those risks. To become an actuary, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, business, or a related field. 

Actuaries also must be certified through either the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA):

• CAS certifications are for actuaries who want to specialize in risk assessment and management for the property and casualty insurance industry.
• SOA certifications allow actuaries to gain specific skills in investments, retirement benefits, finance, and health and life insurance.

>>MORE: Learn the difference between an actuary and an accountant. 

Data Scientist 

A data scientist uses data to derive meaningful insights to help determine business decisions. You typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to become a data scientist, and some coursework in mathematics or statistics can be useful. 

Data scientists can work in practically any industry, especially as the need for data-driven decisions grows. Businesses often use data scientists in finance, market research, product development, and marketing. Many data scientists start as data analysts, working under the direction of more experienced professionals. 

Economist

Economists are experts at analyzing micro- and macroeconomic trends and applying them to policies. You typically need a master’s degree in economics to work as an economist, though some companies and government entities may prefer applicants with a Ph.D. 

In businesses, economists are responsible for reviewing and forecasting microeconomic trends important to the company, such as consumer demand or product sales. Economists in government roles help to inform public policy issues, predict future fiscal challenges, and educate businesses and the public about historical trends and their potential impact on current events. 

Financial Analyst 

Financial analysts are generally responsible for handling in-depth analysis to help organizations increase profits and improve efficiency. Most financial analysts have at least a bachelor’s degree, but some pursue master’s or Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees to make themselves more marketable. 

The title financial analyst is broad and encompasses many different jobs, such as: 

• Investment banker: helps facilitate large-scale transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) 
• Credit analyst: determines if individuals and businesses are secure enough to receive loans, credit cards, or other forms of financing 
• Quantitative analyst: uses algorithms and statistics to inform investment decisions and deter risky financial activities 
• Budget analyst: reviews organizations’ spending and crafts budget plans to meet financial goals 

Financial Manager

A financial manager is responsible for an organization’s financial health and performance. Although the highest education you need to become a financial manager is a bachelor’s degree, you also need several years of experience in finance. 

Some financial managers oversee specific departments within a company, such as accounting teams or budget committees. Others take on executive roles like chief financial officer (CFO).  

>>MORE: Check out some of the most popular careers in finance. 

Journalist

Newspapers, magazines, and broadcast outlets rely on experienced and knowledgeable economists to give the public in-depth analyses of current events. You typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to get started in journalism, and practical experience through internships can help build your credibility. 

Some economists work as writers, crafting written analyses and predictions about policies and economic events. Others may work as reporters, appearing on television, radio, or internet broadcastings to deliver relevant fiscal information to the channel’s viewers. 

Lawyer

Law can be an attractive field for economics majors since many legal arguments rely on economic factors and reasoning. Areas like contracts, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and tax law require a strong understanding of economics and how decisions can have broader fiscal effects. Lawyers must have an advanced degree and pass the bar exam to practice. 

Market Research Analyst 

Market research analysts analyze how a product or service fits within the broader economic market. These analysts use micro- and macroeconomic factors, consumer research, and business constraints to help set prices and predict future products sales. Most market research analysts have bachelor’s degrees, though some pursue advanced degrees to make themselves more marketable to employers. 

Personal Finance Adviser 

A personal finance adviser (PFA) helps individuals and businesses accomplish financial goals. PFAs need at least a bachelor’s degree, and those who directly buy or sell investment products for clients must be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

The day-to-day for a PFA depends on the types of clients they work with. When working with individuals, families, or small businesses, a PFA may be responsible for creating monthly budgets to help the client save for retirement or a college education. On the other hand, PFAs can work with high-net-worth individuals and larger corporations, managing their finances and taking on a role similar to an investment portfolio manager. 

Political Scientist

Political scientists research and report on historical and current political issues and analyze governments, policies, and current events. A master’s degree in political science, economics, public administration, or a related field is usually required. 

Many political scientists work for think tanks, universities, and government organizations. In these environments, political scientists study political trends, assess historical events’ implications, and test theories. Some political scientists work as policy analysts, reviewing proposed public policies and forecasting the impact a policy may have on different demographics or industries. 

Postsecondary Educator 

Students with economics majors can choose to stay in academia and teach economics, economic theory, political science, or business courses at colleges and universities. Most postsecondary teachers have Ph.D. degrees. However, a master’s or bachelor’s degree may be enough for teaching at a community or junior college. 

Highest-Paying Jobs for Economics Majors

Some of the best-paying careers for economics majors include: 

• Law
• Private higher education
• Financial analysis
• Government roles in economics or political science 
• Actuarial sciences and risk management 

Ultimately, areas that mix technology with finance are rapidly growing and pay well for great economists. These areas include actuarial sciences, data science, and working in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing. 

Best Entry-Level Jobs for Economics Majors

Some of the best entry-level jobs for economics majors are: 

• Analyst roles, like financial, budget, credit, or market analyst jobs
• Actuary roles
• Journalism and reporting 
• Accounting careers
• Personal finance adviser jobs 

These types of roles utilize the skills learned while gaining an economics degree, build a foundation for career advancement, and provide attractive salaries. 

Skills for Economics Major Careers

Obtaining an economics degree provides a wealth of highly transferable skills you can use in virtually any industry or position. Some of the most important skills for economics majors to foster include:

• Communication, both in writing and verbally 
• Problem-solving
• Analytical thinking 
• Quantitative and qualitative research 
• Financial and math modeling practices
• Programs for creating financial models, like Excel
• Data analytics 
• Organization 
• Applying economic theories to other areas, like business, politics, and sales 

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