Economists job outlookprojected pay in 10 years $145,700 · outlook score 46/100 · BLS employment projections
United StatesConfidence ★★★★★
Median annual pay
$124,720
25th–75th pct. $89,330–$174,720
Top pay (est.)
$309,500
Top 10% $238,060
Pay in 5 years
$134,800est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$145,700est.
$125,300–$169,100
Outlook score
46/100
★★☆☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
99%
Very high
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.7%
1,100 openings / yr
Projected pay for Economists (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $124,720 → in 3 years $130,700 → in 5 years $134,800 → in 10 years $145,700 (10-year range $125,300–$169,100). The model assumes pay growth of +1.6% per year.
$124,720
Now 2026
$130,700
In 3 yrs 2029
$120,600–$142,200
$134,800
In 5 yrs 2031
$121,400–$150,100
$145,700
In 10 yrs 2036
$125,300–$169,100
What drives the annual growth rate
Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand +0.04%AI impact -1.47%Total +1.6% / yr
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Economists
46/100
★★☆☆☆
Average · ranked #580 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
91 pts
AI resistance
1 pts
Entry barrier
85 pts
Annual openings
12 pts
Projected growth
69 pts
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Labor demand for Economists
Employment
18K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
20K
2025–35
Projected change
+4.7%
ranked #255 for growth
Annual openings
1,100
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Average
44/100
Typical entry education
Master's degree
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
None
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.