Social Scientists and Related Workers

How to become an Environmental Economist

Official title: Environmental Economists

Also called: Environmental Economist, Natural Resource Economist, Research Economist, Resource Economist

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

Main tasks

Write technical documents or academic articles to communicate study results or economic forecasts.
Conduct research on economic and environmental topics, such as alternative fuel use, public and private land use, soil conservation, air and water pollution control, and endangered species protection.
Collect and analyze data to compare the environmental implications of economic policy or practice alternatives.
Assess the costs and benefits of various activities, policies, or regulations that affect the environment or natural resource stocks.
Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate economic and environmental study results, to present policy recommendations, or to raise awareness of environmental consequences.
Develop programs or policy recommendations to achieve environmental goals in cost-effective ways.
Develop economic models, forecasts, or scenarios to predict future economic and environmental outcomes.
Demonstrate or promote the economic benefits of sound environmental regulations.

How to become one

Economists typically need at least a master's degree to enter the occupation. However, some economists, primarily in government, qualify for entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree. Others need a Ph.D.

Typical education to start: Master's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $124,720 a year The middle half earn $89,330 to $174,720.
About 18,600 people work in this job now, and about 19,500 are projected by 2035. (+4.7%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Environmental Economist?

How much does an Environmental Economist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $124,720 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $89,330 to $174,720.

Is an Environmental Economist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 18,600 to about 19,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Environmental Economist?

Usually. 100% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Environmental Economist?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.