| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Supervise research projects and students' study projects. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Explain economic impact of policies to the public. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Review documents written by others. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals. |
| Importance: 92 (%) | Description: Develop economic guidelines and standards, and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Provide litigation support, such as writing reports for expert testimony or testifying as an expert witness. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: 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. |
Masters Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Masters Degree, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Masters Degree, and % with 1 year experience (or less).
These entry-level roles are suited to new master's degree graduates entering specialized or advanced practice positions. For recent graduates ready to apply advanced coursework to their first professional role. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Masters Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Masters Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Master Degree Jobs
What entry level jobs can you get with a Master's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Master's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Master's Degree. - 44 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Masters Degree) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Economists.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Economists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Economists
Description: 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.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Economists":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
18,600U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
21,000
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
2,400 (13.1%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
1,600
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Forecast production and consumption of renewable resources and supply, consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 98 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 93 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 75 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Advise others on business or operational matters. | |
| Advise others on matters of public policy. | |
| Conduct research on social issues. | |
| Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures. | |
| Explain regulations, policies, or procedures. | |
| Forecast economic, political, or social trends. | |
| Instruct college students in social sciences or humanities disciplines. | |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | |
| Present information to the public. | |
| Proofread documents, records, or other files to ensure accuracy. | |
| Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge. | |
| Review technical documents to plan work. | |
| Supervise trainees. | |
| Testify at legal or legislative proceedings. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters. |
| Activity: Advise others on legal or regulatory matters. |
| Activity: Analyze market or industry conditions. |
| Activity: Develop operational or technical procedures or standards. |
| Activity: Examine materials or documentation for accuracy or compliance. |
| Activity: Explain regulations, policies, or procedures. |
| Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise. |
| Activity: Present information in legal proceedings. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Provide information or assistance to the public. |
| Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes. |
| Activity: Research historical or social issues. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
| Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | |||||||||||||||
| SAS | |||||||||||||||
| Business intelligence and data analysis software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Power BI Tableau | |||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Access Structured query language SQL | |||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||
| Python R | |||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||||||||||||
| Widely Used Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | |||||||||||||||
| StataCorp Stata Statistical software | |||||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software: | |||||||||||||||
| IBM SPSS Statistics The MathWorks MATLAB | |||||||||||||||
| Data base management system software: | |||||||||||||||
| MySQL Teradata Database | |||||||||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft SQL Server | |||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA | |||||||||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||||||||||||
| Internet browser software: | |||||||||||||||
| Mozilla Firefox | |||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||
| C++ Oracle Java | |||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | |||||||||||||||
| UNIX UNIX Shell | |||||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||||||||
| Analytical or scientific software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||||||||
| LaTeX | |||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||||
| Formula translation/translator FORTRAN | |||||||||||||||
| Financial analysis software: | |||||||||||||||
| Palisade @Risk | |||||||||||||||
| Geographic information system: | |||||||||||||||
| ESRI ArcView | |||||||||||||||
| Internet browser software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser software | |||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Visual C# .NET | |||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||||||
| Corel WordPerfect Office Suite | |||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||||||||
| Corel QuattroPro IBM Lotus 1-2-3 | |||||||||||||||
| Web page creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||
| MediaWiki |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed |
| Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. |
| Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). |
| Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training. |
| These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 50.0 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 25.0 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.8 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.2 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 29.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 20.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 16.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 12.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 8.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 8.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Certifications
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Chartered Economist
| |
Professional Associations
Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Economists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Economists
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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