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What does an economic analyst do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Erik Johnson Ph.D.

An economic analyst is in charge of observing and analyzing the economy's state to assist a company in its decision-making endeavors. Their responsibilities revolve around keeping track of different markets, learning the impact of politics and important events to the economy, gathering data from various departments, and creating business plans and forecasts based on the findings. Moreover, in a company setting, an economic analyst may produce progress reports and presentations, mentor younger analysts, and implement the company's policies and regulations.

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Economic analyst responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real economic analyst resumes:

  • Learned VBA and create a macro to automate the production process.
  • Manage project team meetings using SharePoint calendars.
  • Code and implement SQL and/or SAS code to obtain data for reporting and analysis.
  • Simulate generator outages and competitive market supply curves via SAS, MATLAB and STATA.
  • Employ SAS and Stata to calculate Elzinga-Hogarty estimations, Herfindahl and Hedonic price indexes.
  • Work as an economic consultant on client cases in litigation support, transfer pricing, and other economic issues.
  • Extract claims and demographic data from MedInsight using SQL for analysis and reporting.
  • Used Stata and Eviews to analyze employment multipliers for developing and G20 countries.
  • Develop and program for health care projects through SAS statistical and analysis software tools.
  • Promote the firm's investment process and macro analysis to investors and prospects around the world.
  • Analyze household consumption data using correlation, simple regression, double log and multiple regression analysis.
  • Utilize skills in econometrics, game theory, and marginal analysis to report on case studies.
  • Create detail and digestible PowerPoint exhibits to visually complement damages experts' opinion for use in trials and settlement negotiations.
  • Utilize econometrics (survival and regression analysis), forecasting and economic modeling to grow profits for clients through pricing strategies.
  • Conduct ROI analyses for propose municipal real estate purchases

Economic analyst skills and personality traits

We calculated that 16% of Economic Analysts are proficient in SQL, SAS, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Math skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Economic Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • SQL, 16%

    Gather, manipulate, and splice data from industry sources to create databases in Microsoft Excel and SQL.

  • SAS, 13%

    Simulated generator outages and competitive market supply curves via SAS, MATLAB and STATA.

  • Data Analysis, 8%

    Developed and controlled a variety of software and database packages to provide data analysis and production of numerous client specific deliveries.

  • Financial Analysis, 5%

    Conduct economic and financial analysis on banking records.

  • PowerPoint, 5%

    Use Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint to gather information and prepare presentations for management.

  • Medicaid, 4%

    Analyzed Medicare and Medicaid pricing regulations and legislation.

Most economic analysts use their skills in "sql," "sas," and "data analysis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential economic analyst responsibilities here:

Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for an economic analyst to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "financial analysts must be adept at using software to analyze financial data and trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts." Additionally, an economic analyst resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "present the functions and uses of the mls macro on the mainframe computer at the mls technician's conference. "

Math skills. Many economic analyst duties rely on math skills. "financial analysts use mathematics to estimate the value of financial securities.," so an economic analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways economic analyst responsibilities rely on math skills: "selected investments based on quantitative analysis of stock performance, financial ratios and financial reports. "

Detail oriented. economic analysts are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to economic analyst responsibilities, because "financial analysts must pay attention when reviewing a possible investment, as even small issues may have large implications for its health." An economic analyst resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "create detailed and digestible powerpoint exhibits to visually complement damages experts' opinion for use in trials and settlement negotiations. "

Analytical skills. A big part of what economic analysts do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to economic analyst responsibilities because "financial analysts must evaluate a range of information in finding profitable investments." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical economic analyst tasks: "performed all aspects of analysis including data acquisition and manipulation, programming, data visualization, and presentation of results. "

Communication skills. Another crucial skill for an economic analyst to carry out their responsibilities is "communication skills." A big part of what economic analysts relies on this skill, since "financial analysts must be able to clearly explain their recommendations to clients." How this skill relates to economic analyst duties can be seen in an example from an economic analyst resume snippet: "performed customer service and communication projects. "

See the full list of economic analyst skills

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Compare different economic analysts

Economic analyst vs. Analyst internship

An analyst internship is a student program where an intern is assigned to assist analyst professionals by analyzing business goals, objectives, and needs. Analyst interns assist in the planning and designing of business processes and suggest recommendations for improvement. They conduct research and analysis to support business operations and resolve issues using systems and data. They also help estimate the costs and benefits of multiple business actions and help the business organization launch new initiatives.

We looked at the average economic analyst salary and compared it with the wages of an analyst internship. Generally speaking, analyst interns are paid $33,932 lower than economic analysts per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both economic analyst and analyst internship positions are skilled in sas, data analysis, and financial analysis.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an economic analyst are more likely to require skills like "sql," "powerpoint," "medicaid," and "visualization." On the other hand, a job as an analyst internship requires skills like "management system," "python," "data entry," and "strong analytical." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Analyst interns tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,723. In contrast, economic analysts make the biggest average salary, $83,639, in the professional industry.analyst interns tend to reach lower levels of education than economic analysts. In fact, analyst interns are 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Economic analyst vs. Business & finance analyst

A financial business analyst is also referred to as a business analyst who recommends and enforces corporate efficiency and profitability methods. Financial business analysts analyze the business model and finances of an organization. Their findings serve as the source of their suggestions to improve businesses' budgeting, management, and overall operations. They have the ability to predict the outcome of the decisions made by enterprises. The skills necessary for this job include interpersonal skills, management experience, financial reporting, and strong communication skills.

Business & finance analyst positions earn lower pay than economic analyst roles. They earn a $1,987 lower salary than economic analysts per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Economic analysts and business & finance analysts both require similar skills like "data analysis," "financial analysis," and "data warehouse" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real economic analyst resumes. While economic analyst responsibilities can utilize skills like "sql," "sas," "powerpoint," and "medicaid," business & finance analysts use skills like "business analysis," "shared services," "strong analytical," and "process improvement."

Business & finance analysts may earn a lower salary than economic analysts, but business & finance analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $82,379. On the other hand, economic analysts receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $83,639.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Business & finance analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than economic analysts. In fact, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for economic analysts in the next 3-5 years?

Erik Johnson Ph.D.Erik Johnson Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carthage College

Two technologies are likely to become more critical in the next 3-5 years. First, much more videoconferencing and remote meetings are likely here to stay. Be sure you can communicate effectively through these mediums. Secondly, using large amounts of numerical and textual data will become increasingly crucial for businesses and policy analysis. Learning how to sift through these data and glean insights from them are likely essential skills to develop and allow you to grow in your career.

Economic analyst vs. Corporate finance analyst

Corporate finance analysts make significant business decisions based on the data they gather. Typically, corporate finance analysts work within an organization and support management decisions through actionable financial information. They monitor the taxes, expenses, financial statements, and other financial details of where the company sources its income. This position requires a formal qualification in accounting. It also necessitates the analyst to develop interpersonal skills, knowledge in information technology software, financial reporting skills, and experience in management.

An average corporate finance analyst eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of economic analysts. The difference in salaries amounts to corporate finance analysts earning a $3,522 higher average salary than economic analysts.By looking over several economic analysts and corporate finance analysts resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "sql," "data analysis," and "financial analysis." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an economic analyst is likely to be skilled in "sas," "powerpoint," "medicaid," and "analyze data," while a typical corporate finance analyst is skilled in "strong analytical," "financial models," "hyperion," and "balance sheet."

Corporate finance analysts earn the best pay in the finance industry, where they command an average salary of $96,991. Economic analysts earn the highest pay from the professional industry, with an average salary of $83,639.When it comes to education, corporate finance analysts tend to earn lower degree levels compared to economic analysts. In fact, they're 6.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Economic analyst vs. Financial analyst internship

A financial analyst intern is responsible for supporting an organization with financial activities and tasks. Typical duties and responsibilities may include creating and analyzing financial reports, preparing financial statements, and helping with audits. You may be asked to perform some administrative tasks while observing the various aspects of portfolio management, accounting, and financial reporting. As a financial analyst intern, you are expected to conduct competitive analysis and market research and help prepare reports and recommendations on due diligence. You are also expected to join in on meetings and calls with company prospects.

Financial analyst interns typically earn lower pay than economic analysts. On average, financial analyst interns earn a $33,674 lower salary per year.According to resumes from economic analysts and financial analyst interns, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sql," "sas," and "data analysis. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between economic analysts and financial analyst interns, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an economic analyst might have more use for skills like "financial analysis," "powerpoint," "medicaid," and "analyze data." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of financial analyst interns require skills like "financial models," "r," "financial statement analysis," and "due diligence. "

The average resume of financial analyst interns showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to economic analysts. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.6%.

Types of economic analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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