Environmental Economists
19-3011.01
Bright Outlook Updated 2024

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

Sample of reported job titles: Economist, Environmental Economist, Natural Resource Economist, Research Economist, Resource Economist

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks Save Table: XLSX CSV

ImportanceCategoryTask
87
 
Core
Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
85
 
Core
Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
81
 
Core
Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
73
 
Core
Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
72
 
Core
Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
72
 
Core
Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
71
 
Core
Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.
69
 
Core
Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.
68
 
Core
Conduct research to study the relationships among environmental problems and patterns of economic production and consumption.
67
 
Core
Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
63
 
Core
Write social, legal, or economic impact statements to inform decision makers for natural resource policies, standards, or programs.
63
 
Core
Teach courses in environmental economics.
59
 
Core
Develop programs or policy recommendations to promote sustainability and sustainable development.
59
 
Core
Develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental and economic data.
58
 
Core
Write research proposals and grant applications to obtain private or public funding for environmental and economic studies.
58
 
Core
Examine the exhaustibility of natural resources or the long-term costs of environmental rehabilitation.
57
 
Core
Monitor or analyze market and environmental trends.
54
 
Core
Develop environmental research project plans, including information on budgets, goals, deliverables, timelines, and resource requirements.
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Worker Requirements

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:

  • 44%
     
    Doctoral degree required
  • 41%
     
    Master’s degree required
  • 11%
     
    Bachelor’s degree required

Worker Characteristics

Interests Save Table: XLSX CSV

Occupational InterestInterest
100
 
Investigative — Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
52
 
Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
51
 
Conventional — Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Workforce Characteristics

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wage data for Economists.
Employment data for Economists.
Industry data for Economists.
Median wages (2022)
$54.78 hourly, $113,940 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment (2022)
17,600 employees
Projected growth (2022-2032)
Faster than average (5% to 8%)
Projected job openings (2022-2032)
1,200
State trends
Top industries (2022)
Government (44% employed in this sector)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 wage data and 2022-2032 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2022-2032). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

State job openings
Local job openings