OPT Economist Jobs
Economist roles qualify for OPT work authorization when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in economics or a closely related field. Most federal agencies, research institutions, and consulting firms that hire economists have established sponsorship pathways, making this one of the stronger fields for F-1 students extending into STEM OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
LSC's Legislative Budget Office (LBO) is seeking an economist to join our team. Economists work in one of six groups organized by subject and are assigned various state agencies that become the focus of their work. The day-to-day duties of an economist vary considerably depending on the activity of the General Assembly. Duties include:
- Researching topics on behalf of a legislator and providing written or verbal summaries to the member or their staff;
- Analyzing bills for potential fiscal effects on state and local government budgets and preparing fiscal notes;
- Forecasting state tax revenues and Medicaid caseloads and costs;
- Preparing extensive analyses of the executive's proposed and the final enacted agency operating budgets at the beginning and end of the biennial budget process;
- Following assigned agencies throughout the budget process, including amendment drafting, research, preparing analysis pieces, and estimating the fiscal effect of proposed state tax and Medicaid policy changes;
- Drafting appropriation and related language to be incorporated into legislation;
- Creating written resources for the General Assembly on topics of interest.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The current starting salary for new economists is $65,000; a higher starting salary may be awarded based on applicant's experience. We offer our economists merit-based salary increases, opportunities to learn and grow in their careers, and a comprehensive state benefit package including:
Medical Coverage
- Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
- Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period.
Leave
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave.
- 11 paid holidays per year.
- Childbirth/Adoption leave.
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary.
Deferred Compensation
- The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate degree in economics or a related field;
- Experience in conducting research and writing papers in a school or work environment;
- Demonstrated ability to use mathematical reasoning and to think analytically;
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely;
- Willingness to limit public activity to not give any appearance of bias in work.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRONG CANDIDATE
- Strong interest in non-partisan public service;
- Preference for a variety of work assignments;
- Desire to always be learning new things;
- Ambition to become an expert on a topic of importance to the state of Ohio;
- Wish to make a difference in state government in a "behind-the-scenes" role; and
- Pride in being part of the legislative process.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the application on careers.ohio.gov and attach all of the following documents:
- Resume;
- Cover letter;
- Three references (with email addresses);
- Copies of transcripts for college and graduate school; and
- Writing sample of between four and six pages.
ADA STATEMENT
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
INTRODUCTION
LSC's Legislative Budget Office (LBO) is seeking an economist to join our team. Economists work in one of six groups organized by subject and are assigned various state agencies that become the focus of their work. The day-to-day duties of an economist vary considerably depending on the activity of the General Assembly. Duties include:
- Researching topics on behalf of a legislator and providing written or verbal summaries to the member or their staff;
- Analyzing bills for potential fiscal effects on state and local government budgets and preparing fiscal notes;
- Forecasting state tax revenues and Medicaid caseloads and costs;
- Preparing extensive analyses of the executive's proposed and the final enacted agency operating budgets at the beginning and end of the biennial budget process;
- Following assigned agencies throughout the budget process, including amendment drafting, research, preparing analysis pieces, and estimating the fiscal effect of proposed state tax and Medicaid policy changes;
- Drafting appropriation and related language to be incorporated into legislation;
- Creating written resources for the General Assembly on topics of interest.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
The current starting salary for new economists is $65,000; a higher starting salary may be awarded based on applicant's experience. We offer our economists merit-based salary increases, opportunities to learn and grow in their careers, and a comprehensive state benefit package including:
Medical Coverage
- Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
- Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period.
Leave
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave.
- 11 paid holidays per year.
- Childbirth/Adoption leave.
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary.
Deferred Compensation
- The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate degree in economics or a related field;
- Experience in conducting research and writing papers in a school or work environment;
- Demonstrated ability to use mathematical reasoning and to think analytically;
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely;
- Willingness to limit public activity to not give any appearance of bias in work.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A STRONG CANDIDATE
- Strong interest in non-partisan public service;
- Preference for a variety of work assignments;
- Desire to always be learning new things;
- Ambition to become an expert on a topic of importance to the state of Ohio;
- Wish to make a difference in state government in a "behind-the-scenes" role; and
- Pride in being part of the legislative process.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the application on careers.ohio.gov and attach all of the following documents:
- Resume;
- Cover letter;
- Three references (with email addresses);
- Copies of transcripts for college and graduate school; and
- Writing sample of between four and six pages.
ADA STATEMENT
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Economist
Target employers with federal contracts
Federal contractors and agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Congressional Budget Office, and Federal Reserve actively hire economists and have established OPT and H-1B visa sponsorship processes. These employers are accustomed to the paperwork and timelines involved.
Verify your degree field qualifies for STEM OPT
Economics is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, which means a qualifying degree can unlock a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your specific program CIP code with your DSO before applying to roles with longer hiring timelines.
Lead with quantitative skills in your resume
Employers hiring economists expect proficiency in econometric modeling, Stata, R, or Python. Foregrounding these technical skills signals that you can contribute immediately, which matters more to sponsors weighing the cost and effort of supporting your work authorization.
Apply to research-intensive organizations early
Think tanks, policy institutes, and academic research centers often recruit six to nine months before their start dates. Applying early gives you time to discuss OPT authorization requirements before offer deadlines pressure both sides.
Clarify OPT status before the final interview round
Raise your OPT status during or after a second-round interview, not at the offer stage. Frame it factually: your authorization is in place, you qualify for a 24-month STEM extension, and H-1B transition is a standard next step for this role type.
Focus on policy and consulting firms with established sponsorship records
Firms like Cornerstone Research, Analysis Group, and NERA Economic Consulting regularly sponsor economists. Targeting employers with a documented history of sponsoring international hires reduces the risk of losing an offer over authorization uncertainty.
Economist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Economist roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Economics degrees are included on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, which makes graduates eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the standard 12 months. You need to confirm that your specific degree program's CIP code is STEM-designated with your Designated School Official before assuming eligibility.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor OPT for Economist roles?
Federal agencies, central banks, economic consulting firms, and large financial institutions sponsor economists most consistently. The Federal Reserve System, World Bank, and consulting firms with litigation support practices are well-known for hiring international economists and managing work authorization transitions. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to identify which organizations are actively hiring OPT candidates right now.
Does an Economist role need to require a specific degree field to count as a qualifying OPT job?
Yes. For OPT employment to be valid, the job must be directly related to your field of study. An economics degree supports roles in economic analysis, policy research, and quantitative consulting. It may not support a general business operations role even if the employer calls it an economist position. Review the job description carefully and discuss borderline cases with your DSO before accepting.
How far in advance should I start applying for Economist roles while on OPT?
Start at least three to four months before your OPT start date for private sector roles, and six to nine months for federal or research institution roles, which have longer hiring cycles. Federal economist positions, particularly those requiring security clearances, can take several months from application to start date, which can create timing conflicts with OPT windows.
Can I work as an Economist at a nonprofit or government agency on OPT?
Yes. Nonprofits, government agencies, and international organizations all qualify as OPT employers as long as the role is related to your degree field and you are receiving compensation or academic credit. Unpaid positions require prior DSO authorization and must meet specific criteria. Federal government positions are generally paid and straightforward for OPT authorization purposes.