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Economic Research Assistant information

See Virginia salary details

$10.9K

$103.1K

$228.5K

How much do economic research assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic research assistant in Virginia is $103,059.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,600.00 and $108,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an economic research assistant?

Economic Research Assistants are professionals who support economists and researchers by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting economic data. They assist in preparing reports, conducting literature reviews, managing databases, and sometimes performing statistical analyses using specialized software. Their work helps inform economic studies, policy development, and academic research by providing reliable and organized data. Economic Research Assistants are commonly employed in academic institutions, government agencies, think tanks, and private sector organizations.

What does an economic research assistant do?

An economic research assistant works alongside an economist or other social scientists. Your duties in this position may include conducting polls and interviews, researching through surveys and public records, and providing analysis for the lead economist to use for academic paper publications or reports. Depending on the job responsibilities, your duties may include tasks like data administration and using computer software to visualize and organize information. You may also use statistics and other forms of mathematics to analyze economic data.

How does an economic research assistant typically collaborate with economists and other team members during a research project?

Economic Research Assistants play a vital supporting role by gathering, organizing, and analyzing data under the guidance of economists and senior researchers. They frequently work as part of a collaborative team, attending meetings to discuss research objectives, methodologies, and preliminary findings. Their responsibilities often include preparing data visualizations, drafting literature reviews, and assisting with the creation of presentations or reports. Effective communication and attention to detail are crucial, as they must ensure their work accurately supports the broader research goals of the team.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an economic research assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Research Assistant, you need a background in economics or related fields, strong quantitative and analytical abilities, and proficiency with statistical analysis. Familiarity with tools such as Stata, R, Excel, and data visualization platforms, as well as experience with database management, is usually required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective written and verbal communication skills help you stand out in this role. These competencies are crucial for accurately supporting research projects, interpreting complex data, and clearly presenting findings to inform decision-making.

What is the difference between Economic Research Assistant vs Data Analyst?

AspectEconomic Research AssistantData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Economics, Finance, or related field; some roles prefer a Master'sBachelor's degree in Statistics, Mathematics, or related field; often requires data analysis certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, think tanksCorporations, consulting firms, financial institutions
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in economic research, policy analysis, academiaBusiness analytics, market research, finance
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in economic research, entry-level research positionsAnalyzing data, business insights, decision-making support

The Economic Research Assistant and Data Analyst roles share similarities in requiring analytical skills and relevant degrees. However, Economic Research Assistants focus more on economic data, policy analysis, and research within academic or government settings, while Data Analysts often work across industries analyzing diverse datasets to inform business decisions.

More about Economic Research Assistant jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Research jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Economic Research jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Economic Research Assistant jobs in Virginia?

For Economic Research Assistant jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Economic Research Assistant jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Economic Research Assistant jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Economic Research Assistant jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Economic Research Assistant job openings:

Economic Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Research Assistant job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,059 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Research Assistant - IE

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

Harrisonburg, VA • On-site

$18/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

James Madison University rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

338th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Research Assistant - IE
Job no: 20002214
Work type: Institutional Employment
Location: Harrisonburg
Categories: Student Employment
Working Title: Research Assistant - IE
State Role Title: Research Assistant
Position Type: Institutional Employment
Position Status: Part-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: Vice President - REDI
Department: 400341 - MCCD Consultin
Pay Band:
Pay Rate: Hourly
Specify Range or Amount: $18
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date:
About JMU:
General Information:
Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
The Madison Center for Community Development (MCCD) is a university-wide, transdisciplinary academic center, located within the Division of Research, Economic Development and Innovation (REDI). The mission of MCCD is to grow strong, just, and healthy communities through applied research and participatory program evaluation
Duties and Responsibilities:
This position will primarily assist in the implementation and evaluation of MCCD consulting projects:
• Assist in weekly tasks related to program implementation with community partners.
• Work with clients at partner agencies to record program progress.
• Aid MCCD faculty researchers in evaluation tasks as assigned.
• Conduct data entry, management, and statistical analysis. Use of SPSS, Excel, and other software for research and data entry.
• Assist in grant writing and resource development.
• Assist in preparing reports for federal grant compliance, partner agencies, and the broader community.
Qualifications:
This position requires off-campus hours at community agencies within the Harrisonburg area, as well as at the Madison Center for Community Development (MCCD). The research assistant will report directly to MCCD faculty, who will assign and prioritize duties to advance goals, monitor progress of work assignments, and provide timely feedback to the assigned research assistant and community partner. The research assistant will also participate in workshops hosted by the MCCD to facilitate student oversight and professional development.
Additional Posting Information:
Conditions of Employment:
Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate), or conditionally or unconditionally accepted into a graduate program at JMU. Students who are provisionally accepted will not be eligible.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
Reasonable Accommodation:
Advertised: 21 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 08 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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