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Economic Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Engineering, or a related technical field. * Strong command of SQL and Python programming languages * Solid foundation in statistical methods ...

... software engineers on detailed requirements to productionize the models you build. - Run A/B ... BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - PhD in economics or equivalent PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - 2+ years of ...

Health Economist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$137K - $206K/yr

Fluent programming skills in R, SQL, and/or Python for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and visualization Preferred Requirements * PhD in health economics or health services research * 2-5 ...

Senior Software Developer

Newport Beach, CA

$58.50 - $77.50/hr

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Software Developer to join our team. This ... The platform integrates diverse economic indicators, market data, and proprietary research models ...

Employer will accept a Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field and five years of progressive ...

S., or M.B.A. in a quantitative field (Statistics, Economics, Engineering, CS, Mathematics, etc.) • 5+ years of experience in an Analytics, Data Science, or Engineering role, preferably within ...

Master's degree or foreign equivalent degree in Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field and one year of experience in the job offered or a ...

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Economic Developer information

See California salary details

$16

$65

$100

How much do economic developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for economic developer in California is $65.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.53 and $84.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs make $1,000,000 a year?

In the field of economic development, high-level executive roles such as Chief Economic Officer or Chief Development Officer can reach or exceed $1 million annually, especially in large organizations or government agencies. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills. Other highly compensated roles in related fields may include successful entrepreneurs or investors, but such earnings are less common and often depend on business performance and market conditions.

What does an economic developer do?

An economic developer works to improve the economic well-being of a community by attracting new businesses, supporting existing industries, and creating jobs. They analyze economic data, develop strategic plans, and collaborate with government, businesses, and community stakeholders to promote growth and development.

What profession makes $400,000 a year?

In the field of economic development, senior roles such as Chief Economic Development Officer or Director can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $400,000 annually, especially in large organizations or high-cost regions. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, often supplemented by performance-based bonuses and benefits.

What are some common challenges Economic Developers face when working with local businesses and government agencies?

Economic Developers often work at the intersection of public and private interests, which can present challenges such as aligning the goals of local businesses with municipal regulations or community needs. Navigating complex approval processes, securing funding, and balancing economic growth with sustainable development are frequent hurdles. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential, as the role requires ongoing collaboration with government officials, business leaders, and community stakeholders to create win-win solutions.

What are Economic Developers?

Economic Developers are professionals who work to improve the economic well-being and quality of life in a community or region. They do this by attracting new businesses, supporting existing companies, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable economic growth. Their responsibilities often include planning and managing development projects, securing funding, and collaborating with government agencies, businesses, and community groups. Economic Developers play a vital role in shaping the economic future of the areas they serve.

What is the difference between Economic Developer vs Urban Planner?

AspectEconomic DeveloperUrban Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in economics, business, or related field; often certifications in economic developmentBachelor's or master's in urban planning, geography, or related field; planning certifications
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, economic development organizations, consulting firmsMunicipalities, government agencies, private planning firms
Employer & Industry UsageFocuses on attracting and retaining businesses, job creation, economic growthFocuses on land use, zoning, community development, and urban design

While both roles aim to improve communities, Economic Developers primarily focus on economic growth and business attraction, whereas Urban Planners concentrate on land use and community development. They often collaborate but serve different core functions within urban development projects.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

An economic developer typically earns less than $10,000 a month without a degree, as this role usually requires specialized education or experience. However, some high-paying sales, real estate, or entrepreneurial roles can reach or exceed this income level through commissions, business ownership, or self-employment, often requiring strong skills, networking, and industry knowledge.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Economic Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Developer, you need a solid background in economics, business administration, or urban planning, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in public or private sector development. Familiarity with data analysis tools, geographic information systems (GIS), and economic modeling software, as well as certifications like CEcD (Certified Economic Developer), are typically valuable. Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills set top performers apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for crafting effective development strategies, securing investments, and fostering sustainable economic growth within communities.
What job categories do people searching Economic Developer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Economic Developer jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Economic Developer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,846 per year, or $65.8 per hour.

Economist/Statistician (Economics)

Department of Labor

Orange, CA • On-site

$58K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.
These positions are with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Compensation, National Compensation Survey.

Qualifications:

Applicants must meet the Basic Requirements and the Minimum qualifications to qualify for each series and grade they wish to be considered for by the closing date of this announcement.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled either as an Economist or Statistician (Economics).
Basic Requirements
Economist, GS-0110
:
A) Degree in economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting or calculus.

OR

B) A combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Statistician (Economics), GS-1530:
A) Degree that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.
OR
B) A combination of education and experience - courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, applicants must also meet the Minimum Qualifications to be considered:
Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-05, in the federal service.
Specialized experience should include a thorough range of complex economic professional work.

GS-07: Planned, scheduled, and collected economic or survey data from assigned companies and industries and collected data via protocols such as personal visits, video collaboration tools, phone, and or/email, or entered collected data into software for review and transmittal.

OR
Education Substitution:
GS-07: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement. Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

  1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
  3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. A list of acceptable honor societies can be found at Association of College Honor Societies

OR

Combination of Education and Specialized Experience:
GS-07: An appropriate combination of graduate level education and specialized experience.
For additional information, refer to the Office of Personnel Management Operating Manual for Qualification Standards, Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions. Individual Occupation Requirements for Economist Series GS-110. Individual Occupation Requirement for Statistician Series GS-1530.

Education:

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Employment Type: OTHER