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Labor Economist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AI and the Labor Market (e.g., employment, wages, job search, task-level impacts, skill acquisition) Applicants are not expected to have experience across all domains. We aim to build a team with ...

AI and the Labor Market (e.g., employment, wages, job search, task-level impacts, skill acquisition) Applicants are not expected to have experience across all domains. We aim to build a team with ...

Senior Economist

California, MO ยท On-site

$82K - $104K/yr

D. degree in Economics with a focus on microeconomics, applied microeconomics, IO, econometrics, labor or related field from a reputable university. * Minimum three (3+) years of experience in ...

Economist

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$266K - $385K/yr

AI and the Labor Market (e.g., employment, wages, job search, task-level impacts, skill acquisition) Applicants are not expected to have experience across all domains. We aim to build a team with ...

Economist

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

Labor market and employment impacts * The economics and pace of AI adoption and diffusion * Build quantitative models and forecasting infrastructure that translate complex data into actionable ...

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Labor Economist information

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How much do labor economist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for labor economist 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 a labor economist?

Labor economists are professionals who study the dynamics of labor markets, including employment, wages, job conditions, and workforce trends. They analyze how labor supply and demand interact, the impact of policies such as minimum wage laws, and factors influencing employment rates. Their research helps inform government policy, business strategies, and public understanding of employment issues. Labor economists often use statistical models and economic theories to interpret data and forecast labor market trends.

What are some common challenges labor economists face when analyzing workforce trends?

Labor economists often encounter challenges related to data availability and accuracy, especially when analyzing rapidly changing labor markets or informal employment sectors. Interpreting the impact of new technologies, policy changes, or global economic shifts on employment trends can also be complex. Additionally, collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to translate findings into actionable recommendations requires strong communication skills and the ability to present complex information clearly. Overcoming these challenges is essential for producing reliable insights that inform decision-making.

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 a related field (often with at least a master's degree), and proficiency in quantitative research methods. Familiarity with statistical software such as Stata, R, or SAS and experience with large labor market datasets are typically required. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help articulate findings and influence policy or business decisions. These competencies are essential for producing accurate labor market analyses that inform effective policy-making and strategic planning.

What is the difference between Labor Economist vs Industrial-Organizational Psychologist?

AspectLabor EconomistIndustrial-Organizational Psychologist
Required CredentialsMaster's or Ph.D. in Economics or related fieldMaster's or Ph.D. in Psychology or Organizational Behavior
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, government agencies, think tanksCorporate settings, consulting firms, research organizations
Industry UsageLabor markets, policy analysis, economic researchWorkplace productivity, employee well-being, talent management

While both roles involve research and analysis, Labor Economists focus on labor markets and economic policies, whereas Industrial-Organizational Psychologists concentrate on workplace behavior and organizational development. They share similar credentials but differ in their primary focus and work environments.

More about Labor Economist jobs

What cities are hiring for Labor Economist jobs?

Cities with the most Labor Economist job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Labor Economist jobs?

The top employers for Labor Economist jobs are:

What states have the most Labor Economist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Labor Economist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Labor Economist jobs?

For Labor Economist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Labor Economist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,499 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Economist

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

About the Team

Our economics team is continuously working to improve our understanding of an AI-driven economy.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly technical Economist to join the OpenAI Economic Research team studying the real-world economic impacts of AI.

This role is designed for economists with up to 5 years of professional experience post-Ph.D. who are interested in using novel, large-scale datasets to study how AI is reshaping economic systems. We are looking for candidates with deep expertise in at least one core domain relevant to AIโ€™s economic impact, and an interest in contributing to a broader research agenda spanning labor markets, firm behavior, market dynamics, and macroeconomic change. This is an individual contributor role where the candidate will organize and execute on their own data-oriented projects.

You will work at the intersection of economic research, data science, and public policy to produce rigorous empirical work that informs decision-makers across the public, industry, and government.

Research Areas of Interest

We are particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Economic Measurement of AI Impact (e.g., adoption trajectories, labor market transitions, productivity growth, and forecasting/scenario modeling for AI-driven economic change)
  • Macroeconomic Implications of AI (e.g., productivity, technology diffusion, economic growth)
  • AI and the Labor Market (e.g., employment, wages, job search, task-level impacts, skill acquisition)

Applicants are not expected to have experience across all domains. We aim to build a team with complementary strengths across these areas.

In this role, you will
  • Design and execute empirical research using large-scale observational or experimental data.
  • Apply causal inference and/or structural modeling techniques to study AI-driven economic change.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research questions into testable frameworks and applicable takeaways across policy, product, and our organization.
  • Produce policy-relevant outputs, including academic papers, technical reports, and briefings.
  • Contribute to the development of new measurement approaches for AIโ€™s economic impact.
  • Use AI across your responsibilities to scale your research impact.
You might thrive in this role if you have
  • A PhD in Economics or a related quantitative field.
  • 3โ€“5 years of relevant work experience (industry or policy research).
  • Strong background in econometrics and applied microeconomics
  • Demonstrated experience working with large or complex datasets, with demonstrated proficiency in SQL.
  • Proficiency in statistical programming (e.g., Python, R).
  • Research related to labor economics, industrial organization, macroeconomics, or technological change.
  • Experience working with platform, labor market, or firm-level data.
  • Familiarity with causal inference, machine learning methods, or structural modeling.
About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.

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