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Research Economist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Economist

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$200 - $250/hr

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 ...

The position conducts research, including literature reviews, of economic topics impacting the state's economy. Examples of Work Performed Researches, analyzes and evaluates existing and proposed ...

Economist

Boston, MA ยท On-site

In this role, you will serve as an Economist in the Bank's Research Department, responsible for conducting and publishing original policy-oriented research in the areas of macroeconomics, monetary ...

Economist

Crystal City, TX ยท On-site

$117K - $175K/yr

As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly ... The Economic and Market Analysis Center (EMAC) at the Aerospace Corporation provides economic ...

Economist

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly ... The Economic and Market Analysis Center (EMAC) at the Aerospace Corporation provides economic ...

Economist

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Research Areas of Interest * Economic Measurement of AI Impact (e.g., adoption trajectories, labor market transitions, productivity growth, and forecasting/scenario modeling for AI-driven economic ...

Economist

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$266K - $385K/yr

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 ...

Economic & Demographic Research Opening Date: 10/22/2025 Closing Date: Continuous General Summary This is a full-time economist position within the Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic ...

Economist

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$117K - $175K/yr

As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly ... The Economic and Market Analysis Center (EMAC) at the Aerospace Corporation provides economic ...

Economist

Chantilly, VA

$117K - $175K/yr

As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly ... The Economic and Market Analysis Center (EMAC) at the Aerospace Corporation provides economic ...

Economist

Spring, TX ยท On-site

Its design incorporates extensive research into best practices in building and workplace design ... The Economics and Energy Division is one of three divisions within CS; its principal role is to ...

Economist

Spring, TX ยท On-site

Its design incorporates extensive research into best practices in building and workplace design ... The Economics and Energy Division is one of three divisions within CS; its principal role is to ...

Showing results 21-40

Research Economist information

See salary details

$11K

$104K

$230.5K

How much do research economist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for research economist in the United States is $103,950.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $109,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research economist?

Research economists are professionals who study economic data, trends, and policies to understand how economies function and to inform decision-making. They conduct in-depth analyses using statistical techniques and models, often publishing their findings in reports or academic journals. Research economists may work in government agencies, think tanks, financial institutions, or academia, and their work can influence economic policy, business strategies, and public understanding of economic issues.

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

To thrive as a Research Economist, you need a strong background in economics, quantitative analysis, and research methodologies, usually supported by an advanced degree such as a master's or Ph.D. in economics or a related field. Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., STATA, R, or SAS), econometric modeling, and data analysis tools is essential. Strong critical thinking, written communication, and collaboration skills help you interpret data and convey complex findings to diverse audiences. These skills and qualities are vital for producing rigorous economic research that informs policy decisions and business strategies.

What are some common challenges research economists face when conducting empirical studies, and how can they overcome them?

Research Economists often encounter challenges such as limited access to high-quality data, complexity in modeling real-world phenomena, and ensuring the robustness of their findings. To address these issues, they frequently collaborate with data providers, utilize advanced econometric techniques, and engage in peer review to validate their methodologies. Maintaining transparency in data sources and staying updated with the latest analytical tools also helps Research Economists produce credible and impactful results.

What is the difference between Research Economist vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearch EconomistData Analyst
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Economics or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Statistics, Data Science, or related field
Work EnvironmentAcademic, government, or policy research settingsBusiness, finance, or tech industries
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, think tanksCorporations, consulting firms, tech companies

Research Economists focus on economic theory, policy analysis, and modeling, often requiring advanced degrees. Data Analysts interpret data sets, create reports, and support decision-making, typically with a bachelor's or master's degree. While both roles involve data handling, Research Economists emphasize economic research and policy, whereas Data Analysts focus on data interpretation across various industries.

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What cities are hiring for Research Economist jobs?

Cities with the most Research Economist job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Research Economist jobs?

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What states have the most Research Economist jobs?

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What are popular job titles related to Research Economist jobs?

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Infographic showing various Research Economist job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,950 per year, or $50 per hour.

Research Analyst - Economist

Alexandria, VA โ€ข On-site

Institute for Defense Analyses
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturingย โ€ขย 1 - 5K employees

$113K - $277K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Overview:
The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is an independent, non-profit, federally-funded research and development center that provides objective analyses to the Department of War and other federal government agencies. Economists at IDA support senior defense leaders by applying economic theory and analytic methods to issues of National Security policy and resource management. As needed, we apply proven tools to new problems and data, develop new models, and generate new theory.
Recent examples of our work:
  • Training machine learning models to predict individuals' career events using a rich set of administrative personnel records
  • Estimating causal effects of staffing levels and characteristics on mission effectiveness
  • Designing a personnel retention experiment impacting thousands of service members
  • Designing a trial of alcohol market interventions for use on military bases to learn whether such interventions can prevent harmful behaviors associated with alcohol misuse
  • Architecting a collaborative data-hosting analytic platform to facilitate timely and secure analysis of sensitive Department of War information assets across a diverse community of users
  • Exploring alternative organizational structures and delivery methods for educating and training military medical personnel, in order to reduce costs and streamline management
  • Constructing mechanisms for the Department of War and the Department of Veterans Affairs to care for each other's patients and to better transfer funding across departments
  • Identifying opportunities to transfer positions among active and reserve military personnel, federal civilians, and contractors in order to reduce costs and concentrate military personnel in more operational (vs. administrative) positions

Who will you get to work with?
Work at IDA is conducted in a collaborative environment with multi-disciplinary teams. Researchers work closely with and are in frequent contact with government sponsors. Consequently, we value strong communication skills.
What will you gain?
As an IDA economist, you will have unique access to sensitive and proprietary data to address questions of National Security. You will have the opportunity to use your expertise to make a meaningful impact. Our work regularly informs defense policy and resource management decisions. We take pride in the high caliber and timeliness of our analyses, our independent thinking, and our objective results.
Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in Economics or related discipline
  • Demonstrated research excellence and a strong interest in applied research
  • Demonstrated superior skills in quantitative, econometric, statistical, or computational methods
  • US Citizenship is required
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required.
  • We will consider job market candidates preparing to graduate, recent graduates, and mid-career individuals.

Why work at IDA?
  • Competitive salary and benefits, including diverse health insurance options, generous 10% contribution to retirement, 6 weeks 100% paid parental leave, 20 days paid time off plus 10 Federal holidays, and relocation reimbursement.
  • Mission-oriented work at a non-profit that supports and protects our Nation's warfighters; as a non-profit, IDA employees are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL)
  • Organization-wide commitment to diversity in the workplace and providing a working environment free from discrimination, by fostering a culture of active citizenship and implementing data-driven processes of continuous feedback and learning
  • Professional development including tuition reimbursement, internal and external trainings, and funding for researcher-pitched projects and publications
  • A strong employee and corporate culture of work-life balance, including commitment to average 40-hour work weeks through flex time, telework options, and expectation of communication only during core business hours
  • Located near Washington, D.C., in Alexandria's high-tech corridor, IDA's brand-new Potomac Yard facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, workspaces, and amenities, including a gym
    Compensation -
    We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $113,353 - $277,494. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent's experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.

Application Process
Interested candidates must follow a 2-step process and apply on-line to BOTH of the following:
1) Apply here by uploading a CV and cover letter
AND
2) Submit a CV, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and your job market paper (or equivalent items) with your application to JOE.
We will be conducting first-round interviews virtually.
U.S. Citizenship is required
Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is required
IDA is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a fair recruiting process and working environment free from discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Click here to learn more about IDA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.