15 Jobs with an Economics Degree w/ Salaries and Outlooks

The economics degree is a powerful and versatile tool in the job seeker’s arsenal. It’s a Swiss Army knife of diplomas that grants owners access to a myriad of different vocations. When facing such diversity, it can be helpful to know what are some of the best jobs with an economics degree in the current professional landscape.

In this article, we’ll explore various career opportunities that come with an economics degree. Moreover, we’re going to examine jobs in distinct sectors that require different skill sets while offering unique challenges and rewards. Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

15 Jobs You Can Do With an Economics Degree

First, let’s find out what jobs you can do with an economics degree. We’ve prepared an extensive list of some of the best jobs you can get, along with some relevant information regarding salaries, job outlooks, requirements to apply, and more.

#1. Accountant

Accountants prepare, examine, and manage financial records, which makes them essential for any business. Typically, their role involves conducting regular audits, preparing tax returns, and coming up with optimal strategies to ensure the financial well-being of a business.

The annual median wage of an accountant is $78,000 per year, and the job outlook is positive and as fast as average at 4%. To get an entry-level job, you generally need only a well-written accountant resume on top of an economics degree.

On top of that, you can always improve your employability by obtaining a certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Certifications can improve your chances with recruiters but also allow you to apply for certain roles that require highly specialized knowledge.

#2. Financial Analyst

Financial analysts advise and guide individuals and organizations on how to make sound decisions and wisely spend money to make a profit. They need to possess a deep fundamental understanding of economics while simultaneously keeping track of the latest trends and developments.

This is one of the best jobs with an economics degree, as just a financial analyst resume and no prior experience grant you entry into a career with a $96,220 median salary. On top of that, the job outlook is at an impressive 8%, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

#3. Financial Manager

Financial managers are seasoned professionals in charge of handling their organization’s financial well-being through long-term planning and direct financial activities. Their role is in many ways similar to that of accountants and financial analysts, but they have a lot more responsibility that matches their skill and experience levels.

On the flip side, as a financial manager, you can expect a $139,790 median pay and an impressive job outlook of 16%. That makes it one of the highest-paying jobs for economics majors in the current business landscape.

However, while this is one of the best jobs for economics majors, just a degree isn’t enough to get it. You typically need at least 5 years of work experience or more working as an accountant, financial analyst, securities sales agent, and similar.

#4. Compensation Manager

Compensation and benefits managers are necessary in every industry, as they are in charge of the company’s pay structure. Their work revolves around creating and balancing a system where employees get competitive salaries that align with the whole organization’s goals.

To achieve that, compensation managers need to have a deep understanding of all the relevant rules and regulations. Furthermore, they need to know how to analyze the industry and balance employees’ needs with the company’s budget.

Compensation managers have a median pay of $131,280, and the job outlook is 2%. In addition to an economics degree, job seekers generally need at least 5 years of experience in the field.

#5. Portfolio Manager

Portfolio managers are experts in financial analysis who specialize in overseeing client portfolios and helping them make sound investing decisions. Their job involves optimizing the clients’ returns by aligning their financial goals and circumstances with the current market conditions.

This includes thorough research and meticulous analysis of the broad economic landscape and current trends. That allows portfolio managers to reallocate clients’ resources and adjust investment strategies to minimize risk and maximize gains.

A median salary is on the higher end, at $94,140 per year, while the top-paying companies like Meta and BlackRock offer upwards of $200,000 per year. Additionally, the number of jobs is expected to grow by 5% between 2019 and 2029.

#6. Product Manager

Product managers oversee and handle all aspects of projects from their inception to completion. They are in charge of defining optimal strategies, allocating resources, aligning the goals with the customers’ needs, ensuring that all team members are on the same page throughout the development lifecycle, and more.

Some of their key tasks include researching the market, developing roadmaps, and leading cross-functional teams. The salary of a project manager varies depending on the field. Industrial production managers have a median salary of $107,560 and a 2% job outlook, while sales managers have a higher median salary of $130,600 and a 4% job outlook.

A well-written product manager resume that optimally conveys your skills and experience can secure you one of the more lucrative careers on this list.

#7. Economist

Economists are research- and analysis-oriented professionals. They keep track of current trends and issues, prepare reports based on their findings, and give relevant advice to businesses, organizations, and government entities. This includes analyzing consumers, competitors, and prevailing economic conditions to make informed decisions.

As an economist, you can expect a median salary of $113,940 per year and a positive job outlook of 6%. While you generally don’t need previous work experience for the majority of entry-level positions, you still need to have a master’s degree. Some economists in the government sector can get a job with a bachelor’s degree, but many others need a Ph.D.

#8. Market Analyst

Market analysts are highly specialized professionals with deep knowledge of particular fields and segments of the market. They use their expertise to conduct thorough research and gather valuable information on specific consumer demographics to uncover their requirements and preferences.

This allows market analysts to make informed decisions and guide businesses toward better opportunities. The median pay for the role is $68,230, and the job outlook is much faster than average, at 13%. That, coupled with the fact that you don’t need prior experience, makes this one of the best entry-level jobs with an economics degree.

#9. Credit Analyst

Credit analysts specialize in examining clients by looking into their credit scores. The goal is to evaluate the risks involved with lending assets to borrowers. To do that, credit analysts look at various information and study financial documents, including earnings and savings, payment and purchasing history, and more.

This allows credit analysts to prepare, approve, or deny loans and help borrowers go through proper channels and fill out the required applications. As a future credit analyst, you can expect a $71,520 median salary and favorable prospects for both employment and advancement in the field.

Apart from a bachelor’s degree and an internship, there are no additional requirements to get an entry-level position. As you advance your career, you can become a chief credit executive or a commercial loan officer.

#10. Supply Chain Analyst

The job of supply chain analysts (a subcategory in the logistics field) involves analysis and coordination of the supply chain. This includes examining and monitoring the commodity throughout its production cycle, with a focus on the movement of materials.

Professionals in this field can expect a median salary of $77,520 and an exceedingly high job outlook of 18%. That, combined with the fact that you don’t need prior experience to get an entry-level position, makes this one of the easiest careers to get into with an economics degree.

Some employers can also hire candidates without a degree. In those cases, it’s often beneficial to have some type of relevant experience and to properly showcase it on your resume and cover letter template.

#11. Policy Analyst

Policy analysts are highly knowledgeable professionals who examine current policies and protocols to find ways to improve them. They can work in both private and government sectors, gathering data to create new programs that will help organizations reach their goals.

These analysts need to have extensive knowledge of economics but also specialized proficiency in the field that they are in. On top of that, they need exceptional research and analytical skills.

If you’re looking for a job in the field, you can expect a median salary of $128,024 and a steady growth of job postings of around 8.7% between 2022 and 2032.

#12. Personal Financial Advisor

Personal financial advisors provide tailored advice to clients regarding investment strategies, retirement planning, and other financial endeavors. They need to have exceptional soft skills, as their work includes client relationship building as much as it calls for expertise in economics.

While many personal financial advisors work in the finance and insurance industries, some are self-employed. The median salary sits at a respectable $95,390 per year, and the job outlook is much higher than average at 13%.

This is another in the line of jobs with an economics degree that typically don’t require previous work experience. However, a master’s degree or relevant certifications can vastly improve your employability.

#13. Actuary

Actuaries are economics professionals who are highly knowledgeable in mathematics and statistics. Their job involves analyzing and assessing economic risks in various industries, like insurance, banking, investment, and more.

These experts combine their extensive theoretical proficiency with a deep understanding of current happenings and circumstances to accurately predict future events. For that, they can expect a median salary of $113,990 per year and a much faster-than-average job outlook of 23%.

However, this is one of those jobs with an economics degree where you need more than a diploma. Apart from a mastery of mathematics and statistics, candidates usually need to pass a series of steps to become actuaries. On top of that, they need to be prepared for long-term on-the-job training.

#14. Management Consultant

Management consultants (also known as management analysts) help organizations and companies enhance their performances. They do that by analyzing the unique challenges their clients face before coming up with tailored strategies and solutions to overcome these obstacles.

An economics degree gives these professionals a deep understanding of the trends and factors that influence businesses. By using this knowledge, management consultants can then obtain relevant data through research before making informed decisions and providing valuable advice.

The median salary for these professionals is $95,290 per year, and the job outlook is at a solid 10%. Apart from a bachelor’s degree and a resume, job seekers typically need to have some work experience, though no more than 5 years.

#15. Loan Officer

Loan officers work at banks, mortgage companies, and other lending agencies and institutions. Their job revolves around evaluating, denying, or authorizing loan applications for individuals and organizations.

This work includes analyzing relevant financial data, interacting with clients and explaining various loaning options, assisting them in their choices, and more. For this, they can expect a median pay of $65,740 and a 3% job outlook.

Most employers ask for several years of relevant experience in addition to a bachelor’s degree. Certain positions, such as mortgage loan officers, require a license as well.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a myriad of jobs you can get with an economics degree. They vary a lot, not just in the required knowledge and experience but also in the compensation, tasks, responsibilities, and more.

The versatility of the degree allows professionals to do everything from management and analysis to accounting and consulting, utilizing their management skills throughout. This requires a unique blend of strong foundational knowledge and proficiency in practical application.

Ultimately, an economics degree backed by your soft and hard skills, as well as relevant experience, opens up many branching paths on your professional journey. The opportunities are endless, and the potential to impact individuals and organizations is immense. So, go out there and prepare to leave your mark on the world!

Jobs With Economics Degree FAQ

#1. Which field of economics pays the most? 

One of the highest-paying fields of economics is finance and insurance. It is one of the top five industries that employ economists, followed by the federal government, management and consulting services, scientific and development services, and local government.

#2. What is the highest-paying job for economics majors in 2024?

Financial management is one of the highest-paying jobs in economics. With an impressive median pay of $139,790 per year and a 16% job outlook, it’s a lucrative career filled with opportunities. Keep in mind that you need at least 5 years of relevant work experience to apply for the job.

#3. Is economics a good career choice?

Economics is a good career choice that opens up a wide range of opportunities for graduates. It is a broad field in which individuals can do everything from analysis and consulting to management and accounting.