48
/100

SOC 19-3011

Economists

ElevatedFrey/Osborne: 43.0%

Risk Score

โš ๏ธ

48/100

Elevated

US Employment

๐Ÿ‘ฅ

15,880

Total workers

Median Wage

๐Ÿ’ฐ

$115K

$62K โ€“ $213K

Projected Growth

๐Ÿ“ˆ

+1.2%

2023-2033 (BLS)

GenAI Exposure

๐Ÿค–

95/100

High exposure

How we calculate these numbers โ†’

๐Ÿ’ก Economists face a risk score of 48/100 โ€” 4 points above the national average of 44. With 95/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ†’

๐Ÿ’ก Workers in this field earn $115K ($69K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ†’

๐Ÿ” AI Impact Analysis

With a risk score of 48/100, Economists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like generative ai producing marketing and creative copy are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 15,880 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise and ethical oversight of research involving human subjects to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.

Will AI Replace Economists?

Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ†’

โš ๏ธ Top Risk Factors

1

Generative AI producing marketing and creative copy

2

Large language model automation of analysis tasks

3

Machine learning models replacing manual hypothesis testing

4

AI-powered research and literature review tools

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation

โœ“

Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise

โœ“

Ethical oversight of research involving human subjects

โœ“

Designing novel experiments and research methodologies

โœ“

Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments

๐Ÿ“Š Task Automation Breakdown

Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.

๐Ÿ“‹ O*NET Task Profile

โ€ข

Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.

โ€ข

Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.

โ€ข

Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.

โ€ข

Explain economic impact of policies to the public.

โ€ข

Review documents written by others.

๐Ÿ’ป Technology Skills

โ€ข

Analytical or scientific software

โ€ข

Object or component oriented development software

โ€ข

Spreadsheet software

โ€ข

Office suite software

โ€ข

Geographic information system

๐ŸŽ“ Key Knowledge Areas

โ€ข

Mathematics

โ€ข

Economics and Accounting

โ€ข

English Language

โ€ข

Computers and Electronics

โ€ข

Education and Training

๐Ÿ“Š vs National Average

Median Wage$115K
+$69K

National avg: $46K

Risk Score48/100
+4

National avg: 44/100

GenAI Exposure95/100
+57

National avg: 38/100

Projected Growth1.2%
-2.5%

National avg: 3.7%

๐Ÿ”„ Career Transition Paths

OccupationRiskWageOverlap
Dentists, All Other Specialists13$226K55%
Political Scientists25$139K76%
Social Scientists and Related Workers21$93K74%