Economists work with data, models and written reports, all things generative AI can now help produce. That puts economics in the significant-exposure band of AI research. But US projections still expect growth, partly because organizations want more analysis of more data, and because explaining what the numbers mean, and what to do about them, is still a human job.
The short answer: current evidence does not point to AI replacing economists. The ILO's 2025 index places economists in its significant-exposure band. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent growth for economists from 2025 to 2035, driven by demand for analysis of big data and the complexity of the global economy, with government budgets a factor. Data work and drafting are moving to AI; framing questions, judging models and advising decision makers stay with economists. No projection is certain.
How exposed economics and related jobs are
From the ILO's 2025 index, which scores tasks 0 to 1 for generative AI exposure:
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO band | Mean task score |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Analysts | Gradient 4 (highest) | 0.62 |
| Statistical, Mathematical and Related Associate Professionals | Gradient 3 | 0.57 |
| Mathematicians, Actuaries and Statisticians | Gradient 3 | 0.56 |
| Economists | Gradient 3 | 0.55 |
| Management and Organization Analysts | Gradient 2 | 0.46 |
Gradient 3 means a significant share of tasks is exposed, but not all. Economists sit alongside statisticians and actuaries; see will AI replace actuaries?
What the BLS projects
The BLS describes economists as conducting research, preparing reports and evaluating issues related to monetary and fiscal policy, and collecting and analyzing statistical data. It projects 5 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 1,100 openings a year. It expects demand from organizations that turn to economists to apply analysis of big data to pricing, advertising and other areas, and from the increasing complexity of the global economy, while noting that employment will depend in part on future changes to federal, state and local government budgets (BLS, economists).
Economics tasks AI is taking on
- Writing and debugging code for data cleaning and estimation.
- Literature searches and summaries.
- Drafting reports, briefs and slides.
- Producing charts and first-pass descriptive analysis.
- Translating technical findings into plain language.
What stays with the economist
- The question: deciding what is worth estimating and why.
- Identification and causality: judging whether a result shows cause or just correlation.
- Model choice and assumptions, and knowing when they break.
- Checking: AI can produce confident but wrong numbers and even invented citations, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
- Advice: explaining uncertainty and trade-offs to decision makers who must act.
- Independence and credibility, which matter especially in policy work.
How the job is changing
AI is making economists faster at coding, data work and writing, and expanding the amount of analysis organizations ask for. Junior research assistant tasks are the most exposed. Economists who combine sound method with clear communication and judgment about policy and business decisions stand to benefit most.
See also will AI replace data analysts?, will AI replace consultants? and will AI take my job?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for economists at $124,720 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: master's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace economists?
Not on current evidence. The BLS projects 5 percent US growth for economists from 2025 to 2035, driven by big data analysis and a more complex global economy, with government budgets a factor.
How exposed are economists to AI?
The ILO places economists in gradient 3, significant exposure, with a mean task score of 0.55.
What economics work can AI do?
Coding for data and estimation, literature summaries, report and slide drafts, charts and plain-language explanations, all of which need checking.
What economics work stays human?
Choosing the question, judging causality, choosing and testing models, checking results and advising decision makers on uncertainty and trade-offs.
Is economics still a good career?
US projections expect faster than average growth, though openings are relatively few, about 1,100 a year, and depend partly on government budgets.