20 most popular jobs upon graduation for students majoring in economics

Here’s a straightforward look at the 20 most popular jobs for graduates with economics degrees. Employers value the analytical mindset, comfort with data, and ability to think about trade-offs that economics majors bring. The roles range from classic policy and finance paths to tech, consulting, and even marketing, because economics teaches you to interpret information and make decisions—skills that cut across industries.

• Policy Analyst
  Supporting government agencies, think tanks, or NGOs with research, impact studies, and recommendations.
• Market Research Analyst
  Gathering and analyzing consumer data to help businesses make decisions on products, pricing, and campaigns.
• Financial Analyst
  Working on budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and investment analysis across corporates, banks, and funds.
• Economic Consultant
  Assisting clients with data modeling, litigation support, and industry studies for consulting firms.
• Research Assistant (Academia or Public Sector)
  Supporting professors, economists, or government agencies with data collection, modeling, and publication prep.
• Data Analyst
  Cleaning, interpreting, and visualizing data for companies across tech, healthcare, retail, and finance.
• Business Analyst
  Identifying problems and mapping processes to improve efficiency, often on IT or strategy projects.
• Risk Analyst
  Assessing financial or operational risks in banks, insurers, and corporates; often tied to compliance reporting.
• Actuarial Analyst (entry-level)
  Using statistical and economic models to support insurance pricing, pensions, or investment strategies.
• Banking Associate (Commercial or Retail)
  Relationship management, credit review, and loan structuring for business and individual clients.
• Investment Analyst
  Supporting portfolio managers, building models, and researching sectors for investment firms.
• Public Policy Researcher
  Designing and evaluating programs in areas like healthcare, education, and housing.
• Consulting Analyst
  Joining a strategy or management consulting firm to work across industries, often focusing on data-heavy problems.
• Operations Analyst
  Improving processes, supply chains, or service delivery in corporates and startups.
• International Trade Analyst
  Evaluating imports, exports, and trade policies; common in government agencies and global firms.
• Development Economist (entry-level roles in NGOs)
  Supporting economic development programs, microfinance projects, and international aid initiatives.
• Corporate Strategy Analyst
  Working inside large companies to analyze markets, competitors, and growth opportunities.
• Statistician / Survey Analyst
  Designing and analyzing surveys for government, nonprofits, or market research firms.
• Communications / Economic Journalism
  Writing about markets, policy, or finance for media outlets, trade publications, and research firms.
• Graduate School Pathway Roles
  Many economics majors step into research assistant or teaching assistant roles before pursuing advanced degrees, opening doors to academia, law, or specialized policy careers.

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How to Use This List

Economics gives you one of the most flexible toolkits. Whether you want to influence policy, help a company grow, or dive deep into data, the degree sets you up. The differentiator is evidence. Employers don’t just want to hear that you “understand markets.” They want to see a portfolio—research papers, dashboards, policy memos, or case studies—that shows you can apply what you’ve learned. That proof moves your resume from “interesting” to “interview.”