Environmental Economists

Employers

There are about 17,500 economists, including environmental economists, working in the United States. Approximately 39 percent work in federal and state government. Many work as researchers at government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, or international organizations, such as the United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund. Many environmental economists teach at colleges and universities. Most economics-related jobs are concentrated in large cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C., although academic positions are located throughout the United States.

Starting Out

Many environmental economists get started in their careers through internships. Those that do well receive job offers. Ask your school's career services office for help with locating internship opportunities for environmental economics. Professional associations offer career-support resources, including job listings and referrals. Search the job listings sections of organizations such as the American Economic Association, https://www.aeaweb.org/joe, and the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association, http://www.aaea.org/employmentopps.