Economist Jobs in California

Economist jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in technology, finance, public policy, and healthcare sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level research analyst through senior staff economist. The most active hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento, where employers such as the University of California system, Wells Fargo, and the California Department of Finance maintain lasting needs for economic expertise. Applied microeconomics, labor economics, and health economics are among the most sought-after specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles17
Top employerAmazon
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring7
Work type80% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 17+ Economist jobs

HP
Lead Economist, Corporate Strategy
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HP
Added 2w ago
Lead Economist, Corporate Strategy
HP
Palo Alto, California
Business Strategy
Marketing
Product Management
$147k - $231k/yr
Doctoral degree in economics
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Economist, Stores Economics and Science
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Amazon.com
Added 1mo ago
Economist, Stores Economics and Science
Amazon.com
Palo Alto, California
Business Operations
Data Analytics
Project Management
$136k - $213k/yr
Doctoral degree in economics
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Senior Economist, Amazon Stores Economics and Science (SEAS)
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Amazon.com
Added 1mo ago
Senior Economist, Amazon Stores Economics and Science (SEAS)
Amazon.com
Palo Alto, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Product Management
Technical Product & Program Management
$159k - $215k/yr
Doctoral degree in economics
10,000+

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MERCOR
Economist, Marketplace
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MERCOR
Added 1mo ago
Economist, Marketplace
MERCOR
San Francisco, California
Business Operations
Compensation & Benefits
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
$130k - $500k/yr
Doctoral degree in economics
201-500

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OpenAI
Economist
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OpenAI
Added 2mo ago
Economist
OpenAI
San Francisco, California
Data Science & Analytics
Research & Academia
Data Science
$266k - $385k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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See All 17 Economist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Economist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
Palo Alto
3 jobs
Sunnyvale
2 jobs
Santa Clara
2 jobs
San Diego
1 job
Los Angeles
1 job
Santa Barbara
1 job

Economist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Amazon
Amazon6 open roles
Anthropic
Anthropic2 open roles
HP
HP1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Retail
  • E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
  • Science & Research
  • Electronics & Hardware

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in economist jobs across California.

  • Master's or doctoral degree in economics or closely related field required
  • Demonstrated experience with econometric modeling and statistical software such as Stata or R
  • Proficiency in quantitative data analysis and economic research methodologies
  • Strong written communication skills for preparing policy briefs and technical reports
  • Experience with California regulatory, budget, or public policy frameworks preferred
  • Familiarity with large administrative or survey datasets relevant to California industries

Economist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a economist in California?

Becoming an economist in California typically requires at least a master's degree in economics, though many research and senior positions require a doctorate. California does not have a state-issued license specific to economists, so hiring decisions center on education and demonstrated analytical skills. Candidates pursuing public-sector roles often target the California Department of Human Resources examination process, which governs state civil service economist classifications and establishes eligibility for those positions.

How much do economists make in California?

Economists in California earn a median of about $119,410 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,030 for the lowest 10% to over $207,380 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire economists in California?

Employers hiring economists in California right now include Amazon, Anthropic, and HP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's blend of large technology firms, major financial institutions, and extensive state and county government agencies makes it one of the more varied markets for economic talent in the country.

Which California cities have the most economist jobs?

The California cities with the most economist openings are San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale. Los Angeles and San Francisco anchor the list because of their large concentrations of financial services firms, technology companies, and research universities, while Sacramento draws consistent demand as the state capital, where government agencies, the California Legislative Analyst's Office, and budget-focused departments hire economists on an ongoing basis.

Are there remote economist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 20% of economist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the desk-based and analytical nature of most economist work. Research, modeling, and policy analysis roles are the most likely to be offered remotely, while positions that involve presenting to state agencies, legislative committees, or on-site teams more often require at least partial in-person presence.

How can I get hired as a economist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a research assistant or junior economist role, which large California employers including the University of California campuses, the RAND Corporation, and county government offices regularly post for candidates with a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Graduate research assistantships at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego build applied skills that translate directly into these openings. Completing a senior thesis or internship with a California state agency and becoming eligible for the state civil service economist exam series also give early-career candidates a concrete edge.

Where can I find and apply to economist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to economist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings above to find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 17 Economist Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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