| 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: 96 (%) | Description: Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Conduct internet-based and library research. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Develop and implement research quality control procedures. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Present research findings to groups of people. |
Economics Careers and Jobs
Select, Find and Prepare for Economics Careers and Jobs - all on one page
For quantitatively minded people who want flexibility across finance, business, and public policy careers. Use the tools below to see which economics roles fit your background and goals.
Economics is a quantitative social science major that serves as a common pathway into finance, policy, and analytics roles without requiring a finance-specific degree. Use the tools below to explore Economics-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Research Assistant, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Economist or Policy Analyst. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), that can help you move up the career ladder.
Here is a short Helper Video 
This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Economics careers/jobs, (2) Find Economics job listings, (3) Prepare for Economics careers, and (4) Provide Economics career-specific resources.
Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Economics careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Economics Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Economics careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Economics, so relevant Economics jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Economics Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Economics Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Economics careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 74 Economics Jobs.
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 job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title 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 chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.
** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links 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. Can also assist with coffee chats.
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/Job
11 Economics careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Economics-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:
| Occupations | U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) | Economics-Related Jobs |
14 Economics careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Economics-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::
| Occupations | National Median Salary | Economics-Related Jobs |
14 Economics careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Economics-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.
|
Education/Preparation Categories: 5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.) 4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree 3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree 2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always Please Scroll and Select below: |
||
| Occupations | Education/Preparation | Economics-Related Jobs |
Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 74 specific Economics job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:
Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below
Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Find Job Listings:
Social Science Research Assistants.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Social Science Research Assistants
Description: Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Social Science Research Assistants":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
40,400U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
43,800
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
3,400 (8.4%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
5,400
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: 58 (%) | Description: Recruit and schedule research participants. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Edit and submit protocols and other required research documentation. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Administer standardized tests to research subjects, or interview them to collect research data. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Code data in preparation for computer entry. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Obtain informed consent of research subjects or their guardians. |
| Importance: 50 (%) | Description: Track laboratory supplies and expenses such as participant reimbursement. |
| Importance: 49 (%) | Description: Screen potential subjects to determine their suitability as study participants. |
| Importance: 45 (%) | Description: Perform needs assessments or consult with clients to determine the types of research and information required. |
| Importance: 41 (%) | Description: Supervise the work of survey interviewers. |
| Importance: 32 (%) | Description: Allocate and manage laboratory space and 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: 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: 90 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 88 (%) | 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: 86 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| 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: 72 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| 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: 67 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | 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: 64 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | 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: 63 (%) | 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: 62 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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: |
|
| Administer standardized physical or psychological tests. | |
| Check data for recording errors. | |
| Code data or other information. | |
| Collect archival data. | |
| Collect information from people through observation, interviews, or surveys. | |
| Conduct eligibility or selection interviews. | |
| Conduct research on social issues. | |
| Confer with clients to exchange information. | |
| Develop methods of social or economic research. | |
| Develop software or applications for scientific or technical use. | |
| Develop technical or scientific databases. | |
| Manage scientific or technical project resources. | |
| Plan social sciences research. | |
| Prepare data for analysis. | |
| Prepare information or documentation related to legal or regulatory matters. | |
| Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations. | |
| Record research or operational data. | |
| Recruit personnel. | |
| Schedule appointments. | |
| Supervise scientific or technical personnel. | |
| Verify accuracy of data. | |
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: 83 (%) | 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: 68 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
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: 66 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | 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: 62 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
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: 56 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
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: Collect information about patients or clients. |
| Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications. |
| Activity: Design computer or information systems or applications. |
| Activity: Design databases. |
| Activity: Develop research plans or methodologies. |
| Activity: Direct scientific or technical activities. |
| Activity: Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data. |
| Activity: Gather information from physical or electronic sources. |
| Activity: Maintain operational records. |
| Activity: Perform human resources activities. |
| Activity: Perform recruiting or hiring activities. |
| Activity: Prepare legal or regulatory documents. |
| Activity: Present research or technical information. |
| Activity: Process digital or online data. |
| Activity: Research historical or social issues. |
| Activity: Schedule appointments. |
| Activity: Supervise personnel activities. |
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? |
| High-Priority Tech Skills |
| Object or component oriented development software: |
| Python R |
| Office suite software: |
| Microsoft Office software |
| Presentation software: |
| Microsoft PowerPoint |
| Spreadsheet software: |
| Microsoft Excel |
| Emerging Tech Skills |
| Analytical or scientific software: |
| IBM SPSS Statistics SAS The MathWorks MATLAB |
| Business intelligence and data analysis software: |
| Tableau |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Microsoft Access Microsoft SQL Server Structured query language SQL |
| Desktop publishing software: |
| Adobe InDesign |
| Development environment software: |
| Microsoft Visual Basic |
| Electronic mail software: |
| Microsoft Outlook |
| Enterprise application integration software: |
| Extensible markup language XML |
| Geographic information system: |
| ESRI ArcGIS software |
| Graphics or photo imaging software: |
| Adobe Illustrator |
| Object or component oriented development software: |
| C++ Oracle Java Perl |
| Web platform development software: |
| JavaScript |
| Word processing software: |
| Microsoft Word |
| General Software Tools |
| Analytical or scientific software: |
| REDCap Research Electronic Data Capture StataCorp Stata Statistical software |
| Computer based training software: |
| Appletree |
| Data base user interface and query software: |
| Database software |
| Graphics or photo imaging software: |
| Graphics software |
| Information retrieval or search software: |
| Online library databases |
| Internet browser software: |
| Web browser software |
| Project management software: |
| Qualtrics Insight |
| Video creation and editing software: |
| Video development software |
Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
| A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
| Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
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: 52.7 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 36.7 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 8.6 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.6 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.4 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
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: 29.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 23.0 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
| Frequency of Attainment: 16.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 14.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 2.2 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Social Science Research Network (SSRN)
| |
Job Listings
| Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings |
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources
This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Social Science Research Assistants". 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): Social Science Research Assistants
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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