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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Economists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Job zone 5: extensive preparationO*NET 19-3011.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
  • Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
  • Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
  • Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.
  • Develop economic guidelines and standards, and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy.
  • Testify at regulatory or legislative hearings concerning the estimated effects of changes in legislation or public policy, and present recommendations based on cost-benefit analyses.

What it pays

$107,450
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $69,260
Experienced workers reach $194,840
  1. $69k10th
  2. $84k25th
  3. $107kMedian
  4. $124k75th
  5. $195k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $69,260, 25th $83,900, Median $107,450, 75th $123,690, 90th $194,840

About 50 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+17.2%

employment change in the Alamo region, 64 to 75 jobs · U.S. +1%

4

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 900

64

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 17,600

Typical entry education: Master's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.8
  2. Critical Thinking4.8
  3. Mathematics4.3
  4. Writing4.4
  5. Speaking4.4
  6. Judgment and Decision Making4.1
  7. Active Listening4.0
  8. Active Learning4.1

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. Bachelor's degree21%
  2. Master's degree50%
  3. Doctoral or professional29%

Job zone 5, extensive preparation: A graduate or professional degree, usually after a bachelor's.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  2. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  3. Economics

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  4. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  5. Economics

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

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