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Labor Economics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NCSU

Lecturer, Economics

Raleigh, NC

Instructional needs may include courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, labor economics, and/or law and economics. Specific teaching needs for the upcoming academic year will be determined as ...

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How much do labor economics jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for labor economics in the United States is $37.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $49.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is labor economics?

Labor economics is a field of economics that studies how labor markets operate, focusing on the dynamics between employers and employees, wage determination, employment, and the effects of policies and institutions. Labor economists analyze factors such as labor supply and demand, unemployment, human capital, and the impact of unions and minimum wage laws. This field helps policymakers, businesses, and workers understand and address issues related to employment, income inequality, and workforce development.

What is the difference between Labor Economics vs Human Resources Specialist?

AspectLabor EconomicsHuman Resources Specialist
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Economics or related fieldBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, academia, government agenciesCorporate offices, HR departments, staffing agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government, think tanksPrivate companies, HR consulting firms, nonprofits
Common Search & ComparisonUnderstanding labor markets, economic policiesEmployee relations, recruitment, benefits management

Labor Economics focuses on analyzing labor markets, policies, and economic impacts, often requiring advanced degrees. Human Resources Specialists handle employee management, recruitment, and workplace policies within organizations. While both roles relate to employment, Labor Economics is more research-oriented, whereas Human Resources is practice-oriented within companies.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in labor economics roles within organizations?

Professionals in labor economics roles often encounter challenges such as analyzing complex labor market data, keeping up with rapidly changing workforce trends, and balancing the interests of employers, employees, and policymakers. They may also need to communicate technical findings to non-specialist stakeholders and provide actionable insights for HR or policy decisions. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including data analysts, policy experts, and business leaders, is essential for developing comprehensive solutions to workforce issues.

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

To thrive as a Labor Economist, you need strong analytical skills, a solid background in economics or related fields, and typically a master's or PhD in economics. Familiarity with econometric software (such as Stata or R), advanced statistical methods, and data analysis tools is common in this role. Critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities help convey complex findings to diverse audiences and stakeholders. These skills are crucial for accurately analyzing labor markets, informing policy decisions, and providing valuable economic insights.
More about Labor Economics jobs
What cities are hiring for Labor Economics jobs? Cities with the most Labor Economics job openings:
What states have the most Labor Economics jobs? States with the most job openings for Labor Economics jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Labor Economics jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Labor Economics jobs are:
Labor Economics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Labor Economics job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Locum Tenens, 60% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 28% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,499 per year, or $37.3 per hour.
Labor Economist

Labor Economist

United States Postal Service

Washington, DC

Other

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE:

Conducts in-depth data analysis including research to develop economic proposals in support of national labor negotiations and operational, budgetary, and strategic business objectives.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:


1. Creates and utilizes costing models to inform the development of short and long-term cost projections related to organizational business needs.


2. Leads cross-functional projects and initiatives in support of labor negotiations; conducts cost and economic analyses and forecasts organizational impacts based on analysis. Provides information direction and guidance to stakeholders regarding pay and benefits comparisons, economic forecasting and costing models in support of labor negotiations.


3. Develops and analyzes the impact of labor proposals on the employment costs of bargaining unit employees and evaluates comparability to the overall labor market.


4. Collaborates with internal stakeholders (e.g., operations, finance) to analyze and develop recommendations based on financial and operational data. Uses results to inform the development of economic proposals and negotiations strategies.


5. Evaluates and reviews current or alternative elements of bargaining unit pay structure such as locality pay systems, performance-based pay systems, and cost of living formulas to determine potential financial impacts to the organization.


6. Provides expert economic testimony in grievance arbitration and other legal proceedings. Serves as a technical expert and witness in legal proceedings in the area of labor economics.


7. Researches and identifies ongoing trends and insights regarding key government econometric measures and their impact on postal bargaining units; evaluates wage, benefits and labor relations trends (e.g., initial hiring, turnover/attrition rates) in the private sector to determine shifts in labor negotiations strategies.


8. Partners with stakeholders to implement cross-functional changes necessary to achieve and maintain compliance with labor commitments and obligations.


REQUIREMENTS:


  1. Ability to manage projects and programs, which includes planning, developing timelines, determining resource requirements, evaluating progress, and reporting results.
  2. Ability to provide technical guidance and feedback to all stakeholders regarding labor negotiations including proposal creation, review, and associated cost estimates.
  3. Ability to serve as expert labor economic witness and provide testimony in grievance arbitration and other legal proceedings that require clear and concise communication of complex technical economic data, analysis, and concepts.
  4. Ability to use statistical analysis methods and procedures sufficient to determine and conduct analysis necessary to inform organizational business decisions.
  5. Ability to utilize business analytics software (e.g., Excel, Pivot Tables, Vlookup, Excel formulas) to compile, extract, analyze data and summarize results.
  6. Ability to present research results and analysis both orally and in writing, in an actionable format to diverse audiences and levels of management.
  7. Ability to conduct cost estimation and trend analysis sufficient to evaluate alternative pay structures, develop costing models, and make informed recommendations to stakeholders.
  8. Knowledge of programming languages such as SQL and VBA sufficient to extract data from databases and troubleshoot queries.
  9. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: Applicants must possess one of the following: 1. Bachelors or Graduate degree in Economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. OR 2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in 1 and professional economics experience that included economic research assignments that required analysis, evaluation, conclusions and report preparation.

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