π‘ Economists have a composite risk score of 48/100 (Frey-Osborne probability: 43%, GenAI exposure: 95/100). With 15,880 workers in the US, this occupation faces moderate but manageable AI pressure. Full occupation profile β
π― The Verdict
Possible. Significant task automation is underway β workers should actively upskill.
With 15,880 workers and a median wage of $115K,economists represent a significant portion of the US workforce. Their GenAI exposure index is 95%, meaning a majority of their core tasks overlap with current generative AI capabilities.
Risk Score
48/100
Employment
15,880
Median Wage
$115K
GenAI Exposure
95%
β οΈ Top Risk Factors
Generative AI producing marketing and creative copy
Large language model automation of analysis tasks
Machine learning models replacing manual hypothesis testing
AI-powered research and literature review tools
π‘οΈ Tasks AI Can't Easily Replace
Interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise
Ethical oversight of research involving human subjects
Designing novel experiments and research methodologies
Fieldwork in unstructured natural environments
π Career Transition Paths
Related occupations with lower AI risk and high skills overlap:
Dentists, All Other Specialists
55% skills overlap Β· $226K median wage
Political Scientists
76% skills overlap Β· $139K median wage
Social Scientists and Related Workers
74% skills overlap Β· $93K median wage
β Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI completely replace economists?
Possible. Significant task automation is underway β workers should actively upskill.
What is the AI risk score for economists?
Economists have a composite AI automation risk score of 48 out of 100, classified as "Elevated".
How many economists are there in the US?
There are approximately 15,880 economists employed in the United States.
What do economists earn?
The median annual wage for economists is $115K.
What skills should economists develop?
Focus on tasks AI can't easily replicate: interpreting ambiguous results with domain expertise, ethical oversight of research involving human subjects, designing novel experiments and research methodologies, fieldwork in unstructured natural environments. These human-centric skills will become more valuable as routine tasks are automated.