5 of the Best Types of Economic Development Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Economic Development jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Economic Development Jobs

• Economic Development Director

  Salary range: $89,500 - $153,500

  To pursue a career as an economic development director, you must meet the qualifications set forth by the city where you’d like to work. Most city governments want you to have a bachelor’s degree in economic development, urban planning, public administration, or a related field. In addition to your degree, you need prior experience in economic development or private sector jobs. You can earn certification from organizations like the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Management experience is necessary to lead a department. You need strong negotiation skills to perform well in the role.

• Economic Development Manager

  Salary range: $81,500 - $124,500

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Full Time Economic Development

  Salary range: $81,500 - $124,500

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Economic Development Coordinator

  Salary range: $56,000 - $87,000

  Qualifications needed to become an economic development coordinator include an associate’s degree in economics or a related field and at least three years of experience with economic development, business development research, or a related industry. Some employers prefer that you have a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, economic development, or finance. To be more competitive in the job market, you can earn a designation as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). It is vital that you understand marketing, research methods, report preparation methods, and grant contract administration practices. It is also critical to have excellent communication skills and the ability to develop working relationships with a wide variety of co-workers and community leaders. You must understand state and federal laws and ensure projects remain compliant.

• Entry Level Economic Development

  Salary range: $52,500 - $79,000

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.