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Do banks hire economists?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 22, 2026

Many investment banks employ economics graduates to work specifically as economists. In this kind of role you'll research and analyse economic data, issues and trends, and use your results to produce reports and forecasts, which will assist the bank's other employees and may be passed on to clients.

Do you need economics for banking?

Economics forms the basis of that understanding in depth, macro/micro economic principles. The theoretical stuff is not really needed, but understanding concepts, impacts, causes and effects are vital in nearly all areas of banking.

Is economics degree good for investment banking?

Investment banks are interested in hiring graduates from all subject areas, not just finance. But certain degrees can help give you key transferable skills and knowledge. Mathematics, economics or business degrees can be a good choice, as can specialist finance degrees such as banking and finance.

What kind of jobs do economics majors get?

Here are some job options to consider when you're choosing a career path with a degree in economics.

  • Market Research Analyst. AndreyPopov / Getty Images. ...
  • Economic Consultant. ...
  • Compensation and Benefits Manager. ...
  • Actuary. ...
  • Credit Analyst. ...
  • Financial Analyst. ...
  • Policy Analyst. ...
  • Lawyer.

Is there any demand for economist?

Employment of economists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,600 openings for economists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

29 related questions found

What do economists do in banks?

Economists in Banking/Financial Services

Banks employ economists to not only study the macro conditions that make our economy work and make predictions, but also study the micro elements of business and make projections.

What is the highest paying job in economics?

To advance in the field, individuals will need an MBA.

  • Personal Financial Advisor. Median Annual Wage 2020 (BLS): $89,330. ...
  • Financial Manager. Median Annual Wage 2020 (BLS): $134,180. ...
  • Financial Analyst. Median Annual Wage 2020 (BLS): $83,660. ...
  • Operations Research Analyst. ...
  • Market Research Analyst. ...
  • Actuary. ...
  • Management Analyst.

Is a BA in economics useless?

Is an Economics Degree Useless? An economics degree is not useless but it is not very useful either. Economics is a very theoretical degree whereas most employers are looking for more practical and applied skills in their potential employees.

Is economics a high paying major?

You can expect a very high salary with an economics degree and some experience. For example, Salary.com reported an $87,390 average salary rate for corporate economist I job roles in 2021.

What is the world's lowest paying job?

The Lowest Paying Career

  • Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks. Median annual earnings: $27,768. ...
  • Food servers, non-restaurant. Median annual earnings: $27,612. ...
  • Dishwashers. Median annual earnings: $27,456. ...
  • Waiters and waitresses. ...
  • Cooks. ...
  • Food preparation workers. ...
  • Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers. ...
  • Cashiers.

What pays more finance or economics?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported an average starting salary of $55,965 for economics majors. Finance students weren't far beyond with a $55,609 mean wage. These are both over $5,000 higher than the median for all degrees.

Can I work in a bank with an economics degree?

"Individuals with a bachelor's degree in economics can obtain various entry-level jobs in banks, financial institutions and government agencies as a financial analyst, credit analyst, market research analyst, research associate and so on," he says.

Is economics harder than finance?

Economics is harder than Finance because Economics uses more advanced math (algebra, calculus, differential equations) to explain more complicated scenarios and processes, making it harder to understand. Keeping in mind the level of difficulty does depend on your interest and skills.

Which is harder accounting or economics?

Accounting Degree is harder to learn than Economics Degree because Accounting is not intuitive and uses complex cut-and-dried rule sets for doing transactions and treatment of money.

Is finance harder than accounting?

Generally speaking, people consider accounting majors to be more difficult to study and pass than finance majors. And there are a few different reasons for this. The content of accounting majors is, on average, much more technical than for finance majors, and this can make it more difficult.

Should I do finance or economics?

Economics offers a greater scope of studies, touching on both macro and micro economics, where finance is only one aspect. Conversely, a finance major has a narrower scope focusing mostly on how individuals and organizations use and account for monetary resources.

How much do Harvard economists make?

Salary of Economics Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree

The median salary of economics students who receive their bachelor's degree at Harvard is $78,800. This is higher than $44,300, which is the national median for all economics bachelor's degree recipients.

Is becoming an economist worth it?

If you enjoy researching and analyzing economic issues and their related data using math and statistics, and if you enjoy making forecasts, designing policies and advising others through reports and presentations, then working as an economist might be an ideal career choice for you.

Do you regret majoring in economics?

70% of economics majors regretted their choice.

Some economics grads warn that while the degree provides a strong theoretical groundwork, it fails to give a strong set of skills that can be used post-college.

Is economics a respected degree?

A degree in economics is highly respected by employers. You will gain a strong knowledge of how the world works and a variety of highly transferable skills that are sought after by a range of industries and employers. Examples of the jobs that you could pursue include: Stockbroker.

Is economics boring to study?

Economics is not at all boring. It is actually a really interesting and useful subject if you study it correctly. Of course if you learn it by reciting the ideas to just regurgitating them in exams then no matter what you study it will be boring.

Do economists get paid well?

The national average annual wage of an economist is $116,020, according to the BLS, which is more than double the average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. However, the average economist salary swings significantly from this depending on the state you're in.

How do I become a successful economist?

Build Critical Skills.

Successful economists must master three critical skills: (1) the ability to use economic theory to make predictions and develop hypotheses; (2) the ability to analyze data to statistically answer questions; and (3) the ability to communicate findings to a wide (non-economist) audience.

How do I get a job as an economist?

Here's how you can become an economist, in five steps:

  1. Earn a bachelor's degree. ...
  2. Seek internship opportunities. ...
  3. Earn a master's degree. ...
  4. Find work opportunities. ...
  5. Consider earning a doctoral degree. ...
  6. Hone your skills. ...
  7. Stay current. ...
  8. Seek professional development opportunities.