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Development Economist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

World Bank

Human Development Economist

Washington, DC · On-site

Human development is at the core of the World Bank's strategy to improve people's lives and support sustainable development. The People research program spans education, health, social protection and ...

World Bank

Associate Economist

Washington, DC · On-site

The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the World Bank's central reservoir of fresh insights into the most pressing challenges of development. It is led by the Chief Economist and Senior ...

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How much do development economist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for development economist in the United States is $82,064.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Development Economist vs Economic Analyst?

AspectDevelopment EconomistEconomic Analyst
Required CredentialsMaster's degree in Economics or related fieldBachelor's or Master's degree in Economics or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, NGOsFinancial firms, government departments, consulting firms
Employer & Industry UsageFocus on economic development, policy analysis in developing countriesFocus on market trends, financial data, economic forecasting

While both roles require strong economics backgrounds, Development Economists primarily focus on economic development and policy in developing regions, often working with governments and NGOs. Economic Analysts tend to analyze market data and financial trends, working mainly in finance and consulting sectors. The roles overlap in their use of economic theories and data analysis but differ in their focus and work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Development Economist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Development Economist, you need advanced training in economics, strong quantitative and analytical skills, and typically a master's or PhD in economics or a related field. Proficiency with statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python, and familiarity with economic modeling and data analysis tools, are crucial. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration skills set successful development economists apart. These skills enable rigorous analysis of complex development challenges and effective communication of evidence-based recommendations to diverse stakeholders.

How much do development economists make?

Development economists typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills may earn higher salaries, especially in international organizations or consulting firms.

What is the highest paid job in economics?

The highest paid roles in economics are often senior positions such as Chief Economist, Economics Director, or specialized roles in finance and consulting firms, with salaries reaching into the high six or seven figures. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and strong analytical and leadership skills.

What does a development economist do?

A development economist analyzes economic factors that influence the growth and development of countries or regions. They study issues such as poverty, inequality, and economic policies, often using data analysis and economic models to inform decision-making and policy design. Development economists may work for governments, international organizations, or research institutions and typically require strong analytical skills and knowledge of economic theory.

Is economic development a good career?

A career as a development economist involves analyzing economic data and policies to promote growth and reduce poverty in developing regions. It often requires strong analytical skills, a background in economics or related fields, and may involve working for government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs. The field offers opportunities to contribute to social impact and development projects, with job stability depending on funding and organizational priorities.

What are some common challenges faced by Development Economists when working on international projects?

Development Economists often encounter challenges such as navigating complex political environments, working with incomplete or unreliable data, and addressing cultural differences that impact project implementation. Collaborating with local stakeholders and government agencies can require strong communication and negotiation skills to align objectives and ensure sustainable outcomes. Additionally, balancing short-term goals with long-term development strategies is a frequent challenge, as is adapting to rapidly changing economic or social conditions in the regions they serve.
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Infographic showing various Development Economist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,064 per year, or $39.5 per hour.
Human Development Economist

Human Development Economist

World Bank

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
 
The  Latin American and Caribbean region:
 
The World Bank Group serves 30 client countries in Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state. Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita income of nearly 9,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region's people living in poverty. The Bank's strategy in LCR is focused on five pillars: (a) stimulating growth and improving competitiveness; (b) reducing poverty and inequality; (c) making governments and institutions work for people; (d) providing a platform for tackling global issues (climate change, trade, disease, migration), and (e) reducing risk, whether from extreme weather events, climate change, crime and violence or other. Latin America and the Caribbean | World Bank Group
 
The People Practice Group (PG):
 
Human development is at the core of the World Bank's strategy to improve people's lives and support sustainable development. The People research program spans education, health, social protection and social policy.  We provide the financial resources and analytical tools to help the governments prioritize investments that support human capital accumulation, protection and utilization, and improve the quality of that spending to achieve better outcomes. The. The LAC People team works at the country an regional level to promote investments in human capital through financing, analytical work, convening power and advocacy. 
 
Education:
 
Education is a a powerful driver of development and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability. It delivers large, consistent returns in terms of income and is the most important factor to ensure equality of opportunities. 
 
Health, Nutrition & Population:
 
The World Bank Group (WBG) supports countries' efforts towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to provide quality, affordable health services to everyone -regardless of their ability to pay - by strengthening primary health care systems and reducing the financial risks associated with ill health and increasing equity. 
 
Social Policy:
 
Social protection systems help individuals and families, especially the poor and vulnerable, cope with crises and shocks, find jobs, improve productivity, invest in the health and education of their children, and protect the aging population. Social protection programs are at the heart of boosting human capital for the world's most vulnerable. They empower people to be healthy, pursue their education, and seek opportunities to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. The social policy agenda of gender,  indigenous population,  community driven developments is essential to ensure equality of opportunities and inclusive development. 
 
Duties and Accountabilities:
 
This position reports to the LAC People Regional Director. The selected candidate is expected to be a microeconomist providing support in analytical work, global public goods and communicational and operational activities across all People relevant to LAC.  Key duties include:
 
  Support the LAC People Management team in overseeing the main global and regional HD trends,  the implementation and monitoring of the regional human capital activities and HD -related work at the regional and country level.
  Support in monitoring progress in Corporate Scorecard and WB targets 
  Contribute to the operationalization of the people agenda by supporting country teams working on operations in any of the department areas. 
  Contribute to the design, preparation, and dissemination of analytical products across HD and provide input on a range of issues, particularly multisectoral ones  
  Work with cross-sectoral teams in multisector topics like ECD, Nutrition, Skills and Gender. 
  Policy Dialogue and Building Client Capacity: contribute to policy dialogue with LAC governments. Working with the practice teams, support in building client capacity to use findings of policy research/analytical work for developing new policies, innovative policy designs, and undertaking sector reforms.
  Contribute to partnership activities on a regular basis, supporting the dialogue with multilateral and bilateral development partners, UN agencies, non-profit organizations, academia, and civil society. 
  Work with WBG communications team to help in activities that give visibility and disseminate  WBG operational and analytical work,  reaching broader audiences.  
  Support the LAC HD Regional Director in the management of the HD leadership team (all Practice Managers), key strategic initiatives and preparation for key meetings and presentations.

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