O*NET-SOC 19-3011.00

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 5 – Extensive preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresExtensive skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.1208/2024
Mathematics2.A.1.e4.1208/2024
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.1208/2024
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.008/2024
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e4.008/2024
Speaking2.A.1.d4.008/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.1208/2024
Mathematical Reasoning1.A.1.c.14.1208/2024
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.1208/2024
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2024
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2024
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2024

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.Core2408/2024
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.Core2408/2024
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.Core2408/2024
Explain economic impact of policies to the public.Core2408/2024
Review documents written by others.Core2408/2024

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Investigative7.011/2023
Conventional4.3411/2023
Enterprising3.811/2023
Artistic2.4911/2023
Social2.2211/2023
Realistic1.5411/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 5

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.