Economists
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
AI Impact Summary
Economists faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 31/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 45% of all analyzed occupations. Of 13 analyzed tasks, 0 are highly automatable. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Economists skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
13 tasks analyzed
Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics.
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
Conduct research on economic issues and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
Supervise research projects and students' study projects.
Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.
Develop economic guidelines and standards and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy.
Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
Forecast production and consumption of renewable resources and supply, consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources.
Testify at regulatory or legislative hearings concerning the estimated effects of changes in legislation or public policy and present recommendations based on cost-benefit analyses.
Provide litigation support, such as writing reports for expert testimony or testifying as an expert witness.
Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 10% | |
| Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture. | 49.32Observed | 46.7% | 15% | |
| Conduct research on economic issues and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals. | 54.17Observed | 48.7% | 15% | |
| Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques. | 56.45Observed | 49.6% | 15% | |
| Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 10% | |
| Supervise research projects and students' study projects. | 58.15Observed | 38.3% | 5% | |
| Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets. | 60Observed | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Develop economic guidelines and standards and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers. | 64.28Observed | 40.7% | 5% | |
| Forecast production and consumption of renewable resources and supply, consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Testify at regulatory or legislative hearings concerning the estimated effects of changes in legislation or public policy and present recommendations based on cost-benefit analyses. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 3% | |
| Provide litigation support, such as writing reports for expert testimony or testifying as an expert witness. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Explain economic impact of policies to the public. | 40Estimated | 31.0% | 5% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.8%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$115,440
per year
Mean Wage
$130,910
per year
Employment
16K
workers
Wage Range
$62,340 - $212,710
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Economists professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Instructing
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change