Government agencies typically employ a large share of economists, working with the IRS, Federal Reserve, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture and various military branches
Private industry economists work in areas such as scientific research and development services and management, scientific and technical consulting services
Academia also attracts economists who teach and conduct research
Salary Information
Median annual earnings $72,780 (May 2004)
Salaries range from <$41K to $129K+
Federal government:
Bachelor’s: $24, 667 (starting, 2005)
Master’s: $37,390 (starting, 2005)
Ph.D.: $45,239 (starting, 2005)
- Average annual: $89,441 (2005) * Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition, Economists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos055.htm (June 2006)
