Economists

Economists score 50 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #214 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 13 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 0 on its own and 13 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 5 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

50/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #214of 923 jobs
US workers: 17,790BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $124,720a year
In real AI use: 5 of 13tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 0 (0%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 13 (100%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 0 (0%)

Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Supervise research projects and students' study projects.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Teach theories, principles, and methods of economics.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to solve economic problems or to interpret markets.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Explain economic impact of policies to the public.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Forecast production and consumption of renewable resources and supply, consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop economic guidelines and standards, and prepare points of view used in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Testify at regulatory or legislative hearings concerning the estimated effects of changes in legislation or public policy, and present recommendations based on cost-benefit analyses.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Provide litigation support, such as writing reports for expert testimony or testifying as an expert witness.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use

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Questions about economists and AI

Will AI replace economists?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Economists score 50 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #214 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 13 of the job's 13 tasks, 0 of them on its own. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which economists tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture"; "Conduct research on economic issues, and disseminate research findings through technical reports or scientific articles in journals"; "Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques".

Which economists tasks are hardest for AI?

Every task in this job has some AI exposure, though 13 of them need extra software built around the AI.

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 5 of the 13 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as economists, and what do they earn?

About 17,790 people in the US, with median pay of $124,720 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.