Success and Outcomes in Economics
Learn what getting a degree in Economics can do for your future career.
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Overview
As economics traditionally has its roots in social sciences, the career paths for the degree are decidedly rich and varied. The Department of Economics focuses on applied microeconomics that provides a broad background for careers in many areas, including:
- Urban economics
- Health care analysis and management
- Public administration
- Economic analysis and consulting
- Banking and finance
Economics also provides an excellent background for postgraduate study in a variety of careers, including law, health care, and related disciplines such as international studies and economic development.
Potential Careers and Average Salary
| Occupation | Description | Average Salary Jefferson County | Average Salary National |
| Economist | Conduct research, prepare reports, and evaluate issues related to monetary and fiscal policy. Although their research is broadly focused on the economy, they work in a variety of fields such as business, health, and the environment. | $114,844.00 | $113,942.00 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | Guiding businesses and individuals in decisions about expanding money to attain profit, they assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments. To be successful, they will evaluate current and historical financial data, study economic trends, analyze their company's value and prospects, and more. | $80,758.00 | $95,077.00 |
| Farm & Home Management Educator | Through the application of their research, they instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture-related processes such as food safety, pest management, or the application of modern machinery. They can also demonstrate procedures relating to home management activities such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development. | $38,647.00 | $53,456.00 |
| Business Operations Specialist | Improve and maintain an organization's core operational processes, targeting the most efficient and productive workflow possible. They must look at the big picture to connect individual processes and entities within the organization, ensuring that their understanding and documentation is complete and functional. | $66,948.00 | $75,982.00 |
| Insurance Underwriter | Responsible for the decision to approve or deny insurance applications, they must analyze the information given with a variety of tools to find a healthy balance for the insurance company. When approving applications, they also determine coverage amounts and premiums. Most specialize in either health, life, or property and casualty. | $66,412.00 | $76,232.00 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | Oversee wage and non-wage programs that an organization provides to its employees. They must research compensation and benefits policies, evaluate position descriptions to determine classification and salary, ensure compliance with federal/state law, and more. Specialists may be involved in all three categories, or they may focus on just one. | $59,502.00 | $67,787.00 |
| Financial Analyst and Advisor | Guide businesses and individuals in decisions about expending money to attain profit. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments. | $80,722.00 | $92,229.00 |
| Loan Officer | Evaluate, authorize, and recommend approval of applications for personal and business loans. Through careful analysis and running data through tools such as underwriting software, they can determine the qualifications of applicants and make decisions regarding the type of loan and size. | $64,202.00 | $65,728.00 |
| Financial Manager | Responsible for the financial health of an organization, they create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization. They spend much of their time analyzing data and advising senior managers on ways to maximize profits. | $128,297.00 | $139,797.00 |
| Budget Analyst | Help a variety of organizations plan their finances, prepare budget reports and monitor organizational spending. This includes public/private companies, governments, universities, and more. They must be capable of organizing multiple budgets, often merging them into a consolidated entity, and work with top managers to analyze proposed plans and find alternatives when they don't succeed. | $82,925.00 | $82,264.00 |
| Credit Analyst | Analyze credit data and financial statements of individuals/firms to find the risk of extending credit/lending to them. They must create reports with credit information to be used in making decisions. | $76,446.00 | $78,853.00 |