Skip to content
Boston Career Explorer

Life, Physical, and Social Science

Economists

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.

Also called: Economic Advisor, Economic Analyst, Economic Consultant, Economic Development Specialist, Economist, Forensic Economist

Median pay in Greater Boston
$108,140
$51.99/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
820
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+2.1%
40 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Master's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$74,080$91,270$108,140$161,740$227,210

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
  • Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
  • Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
  • Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
  • Review documents written by others.
  • Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure93 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 96
  • Language-model AIOE 88
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 94

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

Economists have higher AI exposure, and observed AI use is already substantial. Tools can help with studying data, running models, and reviewing documents. Judging what policies mean for real people and explaining that to the public still rely on human skill.

Likely to change

  • Compiling and analyzing economic data
  • Reviewing documents and drafting reports

Still relies on people

  • Judging how policies affect communities
  • Explaining economic impact to the public

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • General and Operations Managers

    Reviewing financial and performance data carries over. This management role pays a $133,800 Boston median and has lower AI exposure.

    Pay difference
    +$25,660 median
    AI exposure
    Moderate
    MA growth
    +3.8%
    To get started
    Bachelor's degree

  • Industrial Engineers

    Estimating costs and weighing savings builds on economic analysis. It pays a $118,970 Boston median, with 8.3% projected growth in Massachusetts.

    Pay difference
    +$10,830 median
    AI exposure
    Higher
    MA growth
    +8.3%
    To get started
    Bachelor's degree

  • Project Management Specialists

    Reviewing resources, budgets, and schedules uses your analysis skills. The Boston median is $114,990, and a bachelor's degree is typical.

    Pay difference
    +$6,850 median
    AI exposure
    Higher
    MA growth
    +2.7%
    To get started
    Bachelor's degree

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

33 programs near Boston (plus 34 graduate)

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach