Life, Physical & Social Science
Environmental Economists
Also called: Environmental Economist, Natural Resource Economist, Research Economist, Resource Economist
US median pay
$124,720
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.7%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
1,100
18,600 employed
Typical entry education
Master's degree
Preparation 5/5 · Extensive preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Conduct research to study the relationships among environmental problems and patterns of economic production and consumption.
- Perform complex, dynamic, and integrated mathematical modeling of ecological, environmental, or economic systems.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Systems Analysis3.4/5
- Instructing3.2/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
- Management of Financial Resources3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
Knowledge
- Mathematics4.7/5
- Economics and Accounting4.4/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.7/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Law and Government3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Master's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Doctoral degree44%
- Master's degree41%
- Bachelor's degree11%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.