Resume Examples for Economists

An economist’s resume or CV varies significantly based on experience level. Discover what to emphasize at each stage and explore templates you can personalize using our Resume Builder to create your own.

Entry-Level Economist Resume

Ideal for recent graduates crafting a resume with no experience, this template is also suitable for professionals transitioning into economist roles from different industries.

Mid-Career Economist Resume

A good fit for economists with several years of experience, this template highlights recent analytical work and supports progression into specialized or leadership roles.

Experienced Economist Resume

An ideal choice for seasoned economists with over 10 years of experience, this template facilitates job seekers pursuing senior-level roles in economic analysis and policy development.

Economist Resume Template (Text)

Take this adaptable resume template for an economist resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document.

Aya Lee

Maplewood, NJ 07047

Professional Summary

Experienced Economist with expertise in economic analysis, financial modeling, and market forecasting. Proven track record in enhancing efficiency and optimizing budgets. Skilled in quantitative research and data interpretation.

Work Experience

June 2023 – June 2026

Global Economic Insights – Maplewood, NJ

Economist

  • Analyzed global trends, yielding 15% growth.
  • Developed models, reducing expenses by 10%.
  • Forecasted market shifts, enhancing strategy.

June 2018 – May 2023

Capital Solutions Ltd. – Maplewood, NJ

Financial Analyst

  • Optimized budget, saving $500K annually.
  • Conducted risk analysis, improving 20% ROI.
  • Assessed investment options, increasing yield.

June 2016 – May 2018

Market Research Associates – Newark, NJ

Data Analyst

  • Cleaned datasets, enhancing efficiency 25%.
  • Generated reports, boosting client growth.
  • Streamlined data processes, reducing errors.

Education

May 2016
Harvard University Cambridge, MA
Master of Arts Economics

May 2014
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA
Bachelor of Arts Economics

Certifications

  • Certified Economic Analyst – National Economic Association
  • Financial Risk Manager – Global Finance Institute

Skills

  • Economic Analysis
  • Financial Modeling
  • Data Interpretation
  • Quantitative Research
  • Forecasting Techniques
  • Risk Assessment
  • Market Trend Analysis
  • Statistical Software

How to Write an Economist Resume

As an economist, understanding how to write a resume involves showcasing your analytical skills, relevant experience, and clear formatting that highlights your qualifications. Use the guidance below to emphasize your strengths and tailor your resume for the specific roles you’re pursuing.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Avoid including sensitive personal information such as your Social Security number, marital status, or full address on your resume unless explicitly requested by the employer.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief introduction, typically two to four sentences long, that highlights your key qualifications and serves as a compelling pitch to hiring managers. Its main purpose is to grab attention and motivate the reader to explore your resume further.

This profile is usually positioned at the top of your resume and can take the form of either a summary or an objective, each serving distinct purposes. Understanding these differences can help you tailor your approach:

  • A resume summary emphasizes your analytical skills, economic insights, and quantifiable achievements. This format is particularly beneficial for individuals with a solid career background or transferable experience who wish to highlight their contributions as an economist in the competitive job market.
  • A resume objective highlights your future aspirations and outlines the goals you aim to achieve in your career. It’s particularly helpful for recent college graduates, individuals shifting careers, or those pursuing fields like economics after completing specialized training programs.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Economist resume summary example:

Analytical economist with over 6 years of experience in public and private sector analysis, specializing in economic modeling, data interpretation, and policy evaluation. Proven ability to deliver actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making and improve economic outcomes. Recognized for excellence in research and contributions to meaningful policy changes.

Economist resume objective example:

Recent economics graduate eager to launch a career in data analysis within a dynamic business environment. Committed to leveraging analytical skills and critical thinking abilities to drive informed decision-making at a forward-thinking organization or financial institution.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is a critical foundation for your candidacy. Employers evaluate your job history to understand not just the roles you’ve held, but the significant contributions you’ve made in the field of economics.

Your background illustrates how your analytical skills and economic insights qualify you for the role you’re pursuing.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to align with the specific economist role you’re targeting. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Analyzed,” “Forecasted,” “Evaluated”) to make your statements stronger and more relevant.

Incorporate quantifiable information or metrics whenever possible. Specific numbers and achievements not only illustrate your contributions but also help set you apart from other applicants in the job market.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Analyzed economic trends and forecasts, providing data-driven insights that supported policy recommendations impacting over 1 million residents.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Increased accuracy of economic predictions by 25% through implementing advanced statistical models and data analysis techniques.

Explore more work experience examples for economists further down the page.

4. Skills

This skills section provides a concise overview of an economist’s professional abilities. It aids hiring managers in quickly assessing qualifications and suitability for the role.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

  • Soft skills are personal qualities that influence how economists collaborate and communicate within teams. Skills like analytical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration are important for fostering productive relationships and driving insightful economic analysis in the workplace.
  • Hard skills are specific, quantifiable abilities acquired through education, training, or experience. For an economist, examples include statistical analysis, economic modeling, and data interpretation.
  • Technical skills are practical abilities required to operate specific tools and software in a given field. For economists, this includes skill with statistical analysis software such as Stata, econometric models like EViews, and data visualization platforms including Tableau.

In general, aim to include a diverse array of relevant skills that align with the job requirements to showcase your full potential as an economist. Find additional skills examples specific to economists further down the page.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer economist, consider placing your skills section higher on the resume, right after your summary. If you have more experience, it’s better to position this section lower and weave your skills throughout your work history for a cohesive narrative.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is important for showcasing your qualifications clearly. Begin with your most recent or relevant degree, ensuring you include the degree type and the institution’s name.

If you’re a recent graduate, consider adding details like your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), any honors received, or coursework that pertains to the position you’re applying for.

Economist resume education section example:

Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Graduated: 2023 | Cum Laude

TipPRO TIP

If you’re progressing from an Associate Degree in Economics to a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, or have earned another relevant degree, list both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume can highlight your qualifications and help compensate for any gaps in experience. While this section may not be standard on every resume, it’s an important addition for many professionals in the field. Employers often seek specific credentials, especially for specialized roles such as data analysis or economic consulting.

Be sure to include only those certifications that are relevant and strengthen your application. Keeping them current and clearly formatted will improve your visibility to potential employers.

Economist certification examples:

  • Certified Business Economist (CBE) | National Association for Business Economics | Expires: 04/2028
  • Data Analysis and Statistical Inference | Duke University | Expires: 11/2027
  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM) | Global Association of Risk Professionals | Expires: 01/2028
  • Econometric Modeling Certification | American Economic Association | Expires: 08/2027

Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience is more than a list of job titles. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the measurable impact you’ve had on economic analyses, policy recommendations, and research outcomes. This approach also contributes to creating an ATS-friendly resume that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can easily scan.

To build a strong work history, tailor it to the specific economist position you’re interested in by using relevant keywords and terminology. Start by thoroughly analyzing the job description. Identify frequently mentioned skills or areas of expertise and ensure those elements are reflected in your experience descriptions where applicable.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Conducted economic research and analysis for 15+ projects, informing policy decisions and improving outcomes by 20%.
  • Presented findings to stakeholders, improving understanding of economic trends and their implications for local communities.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop economic models that increased forecasting accuracy by 25%.
  • Used statistical software such as STATA and R to analyze data sets and generate actionable insights.
  • Mentored junior analysts, fostering skill development in research methodologies and data interpretation.

Example of Skills for Economists

Including the right skills for your resume signals to employers and ATS that you have the abilities needed to thrive as an economist. Resumes are often scanned quickly, so ensuring that your skills are focused, relevant, and match the job description is important.

The skills for your resume reflect what is currently valued in the economics field. These abilities frequently appear in successful economist resumes and connect well with hiring managers seeking qualified job seekers.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Analytical thinking
  • Strategic planning
  • Effective communication
  • Team leadership
  • Market trend analysis

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Data analysis (Stata, R)
  • Economic modeling
  • Statistical software skill (SAS, SPSS)
  • Forecasting techniques
  • Market research methodologies

What’s a Fair Economist Salary?

Understanding the salary landscape for economists nationwide is important when you’re evaluating job offers, negotiating fair compensation, and making informed career decisions. The data below, provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reflects the most recent nationwide averages for economists.

Remember that factors such as location, years of experience, advanced degrees, and specialization areas can all influence your actual salary. Economists in federal government positions often earn more compared to those in academia or nonprofit organizations. Meanwhile, specialized roles in economic consulting or financial analysis typically come with higher pay packages.

Alabama$114,850
Alaska$123,410
Arizona$98,750
California$125,570
Connecticut$113,300
District of Columbia$163,820
Florida$109,420
Georgia$141,820
Hawaii$94,810
Idaho$83,550
Illinois$128,330
Indiana$104,400
Iowa$101,090
Kansas$114,280
Kentucky$73,910
Louisiana$110,960
Maine$88,250
Maryland$138,830
Massachusetts$142,140
Michigan$147,280
Minnesota$112,460
Missouri$129,370
Montana$104,200
Nebraska$77,180
Nevada$87,360
New Jersey$110,270
New Mexico$91,570
New York$169,520
North Carolina$122,470
Ohio$130,850
Oklahoma$97,250
Oregon$109,360
Pennsylvania$110,740
South Carolina$61,730
Tennessee$110,010
Texas$122,400
Virginia$149,770
Washington$128,120
Wisconsin$79,240
Puerto Rico$66,300

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to the job description. Use industry-specific terms when detailing your experience and skills for ATS and human reviewers.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements to demonstrate value. Include metrics that matter (e.g., economic forecasts, policy impacts, research outcomes) to distinguish yourself.
  • Select a suitable format based on your career stage. Recent graduates might opt for a functional style, while seasoned economists generally favor reverse-chronological resumes.

More Resume & CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my economist resume?

There are three primary resume formats to consider when applying for an economist position. Your choice will depend on your level of experience and the aspects of your career you want to highlight:

  • Chronological: The most popular format, a chronological resume emphasizes your work experience by detailing responsibilities and achievements in reverse order. This format is especially beneficial for job seekers with a consistent job history that reinforces their qualifications and showcases their expertise in the field of economics.
  • Functional: Also known as a skills-based resume, the functional resume emphasizes a summary of qualifications and an expanded skills section to showcase your analytical abilities. By minimizing focus on work history, this approach is beneficial for job seekers with limited relevant experience or those transitioning to new opportunities.
  • Combination: A combination resume integrates chronological and functional elements, balancing skills with detailed work experience. This format benefits economists by showcasing analytical abilities alongside career progression, which is ideal for those aiming to emphasize their expertise or transition into specialized sectors within the field.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your economist job application. A well-crafted cover letter allows you to convey your passion for the field and articulate how your analytical skills and experiences align with the needs of the employer. It provides an opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications that may not be evident in your resume, helping you stand out among other applicants.

If you’re feeling uncertain about writing a cover letter, don’t hesitate to seek guidance. Numerous resources are available, including articles on how to write a cover letter specifically for economists, along with examples tailored to this profession. Exploring various formats can also help you find a style that suits your qualifications and personality.

For those looking to simplify the process, using a cover letter generator can be an excellent option. These tools offer templates and suggestions tailored to economist positions, making it easier for you to create a polished document that complements your application.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To improve your resume’s visibility through ATS, prioritize keywords directly from the job posting. Terms like “macroeconomic analysis,” “statistical modeling,” and “market research” are essential to demonstrate your fit for the economist role. Be sure to incorporate relevant certifications, such as Certified Business Economist, and any specific economic software you know, such as Stata.

Using phrases that match those found in the job description will help ensure that your application passes initial screenings and reaches hiring managers who are searching for applicants with your expertise.

Should I include independent research or policy analysis?

Yes, especially if you’re just starting your career. Highlighting independent research or policy analysis demonstrates your analytical skills and ability to apply economic theories to real-world issues, which is important when you lack extensive professional economist experience.