Associate Professor of Economics Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Associate Professor of Economics roles at U.S. universities routinely qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa, and many institutions are cap-exempt, meaning no lottery. Tenure-track hiring cycles, PERM labor certification timelines, and prevailing wage requirements all shape how sponsorship unfolds for economists moving into academia.
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INTRODUCTION
The Economic Science Institute at Chapman University and The George L. Argyros College of Business and Economics invites applications for an Associate or Full Professor position with tenure in Economics, Finance or related fields, beginning August 2027.
Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, four territories, and 76 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, the Economic Science Institute, offer 50 bachelors, 29 masters, and 8 doctoral programs, along with nearly 75 minors and 19 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by the more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners.
The Economic Science Institute (ESI) at Chapman University was founded 20 years ago by Nobel laureate Vernon Smith and his colleagues. ESI is an academic center that uses the laboratory method of inquiry to study the role human institutions play in creating social rules and order and also builds and tests market and management systems. ESI’s research spans the fields of accounting, economics, finance, information systems, engineering, psychology, neuroscience, computer science and philosophy.
Responsibilities
- Conduct and publish high-quality academic research. The Economic Science Institute at Chapman University stresses high research achievement that will maintain its international reputation.
- Plan, develop, deliver high-quality teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Actively contribute as an integral member of ESI. Perform service for the institute, college, university, profession, and wider community as expected of a tenured faculty member.
ESI’s research spans the fields of accounting, economics, finance, information systems, engineering, psychology, neuroscience, computer science and philosophy. We welcome applicants from these related fields. We look for candidates who show intellectual leadership, have an impact on their field, and possess the potential to contribute meaningfully to ESI, the University, and the broader scholarly community.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A Ph.D. in economics, finance or related fields from an accredited institution.
- Record of publishing high-quality research in leading journals.
- A record of being an outstanding scholar in every respect, including research, teaching and service.
To be considered at the Full Professor rank, candidates must demonstrate a nationally and internationally recognized record of distinguished scholarship, and leadership within their institution and broader professional community.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Qualified candidates are invited to electronically submit the following:
- Letter of Application
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- A job market paper
- Research Statement
- Names and contact information for three references (letters of recommendation will be requested for finalists only)
Inquiries can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Olivier Armantier, at armantier@chapman.edu. Please use “ESI Hiring 2027” as the email subject line.
Application reviews will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
COMPENSATION
- Salary range for this position is $215,000-$295,000. This position is contingent on final budget approval. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate.
Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Associate Professor of Economics Jobs
Match your credentials to specialty occupation standards
Your doctoral degree in economics, econometrics, or a closely related quantitative field is what locks in specialty occupation status. A PhD in a loosely related discipline, say, public policy with limited economics coursework, can trigger an RFE, so document the degree-to-role match explicitly in your application materials.
Target cap-exempt institutions from the start
Universities, colleges, and affiliated nonprofits are cap-exempt under H-1B, so your petition bypasses the annual lottery entirely. Prioritize research universities, teaching colleges, and nonprofit research institutes where you can file at any time of year without waiting for a registration window.
Track the academic hiring calendar against PERM timelines
PERM labor certification for a tenure-track position typically takes 12 to 18 months. If your offer letter is signed in spring, DOL recruitment steps must begin well before then, coordinate with your department's HR team early so the PERM filing doesn't stall your start date.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the wage level for economists at your institution's location before you negotiate. Your H-1B or PERM must certify a wage at or above the prevailing rate, and accepting a lower offer can complicate or block the filing.
Find sponsoring economics departments through Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to identify universities with verified LCA filing history for economics faculty roles. This tells you which institutions have already sponsored international economists, letting you focus your applications on departments with an established sponsorship track record.
Prepare your O*NET profile documentation before the offer stage
USCIS uses the O*NET occupation profile for postsecondary economics teachers to benchmark specialty occupation requirements. Gather syllabi, course descriptions, and your publication record now so your employer can build a strong petition before the offer letter is finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Associate Professor of Economics role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes. USCIS consistently recognizes postsecondary economics teaching and research as a specialty occupation because the role normally requires at least a master's degree, and in practice a PhD, in economics or a directly related quantitative field. Your employer documents this requirement in the Labor Condition Application and the I-129 petition. A degree in a loosely related discipline without substantial economics coursework can prompt a Request for Evidence.
Do university economics departments have to enter the H-1B lottery?
No. Accredited colleges, universities, and affiliated nonprofits are cap-exempt under H-1B rules, so your employer can file an I-129 petition with USCIS at any point in the year. There's no annual registration window or lottery selection. This is one of the most significant structural advantages of pursuing an academic economics position over an industry role for international candidates.
What visa options exist for international economists beyond H-1B?
The TN visa covers economists for Canadian and Mexican nationals under the USMCA profession list, and it requires a job offer and proof of citizenship, no petition filing required for Canadians. The O-1A is an option for economists with an extraordinary ability profile, such as a strong publication record or major field awards. Tenure-track roles also commonly lead to EB-2 or EB-1B green card sponsorship through the institution.
How long does the green card process take for a tenure-track economics professor?
Most universities sponsor tenure-track economists for an EB-2 green card through PERM labor certification, which takes 12 to 18 months at DOL before USCIS even sees the I-140 petition. After I-140 approval, priority date backlogs apply by country of birth. Economists born in India or China can face multi-year waits, while those born elsewhere often see faster movement through the EB-2 queue.
Where can I find Associate Professor of Economics jobs with visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists economics faculty positions at U.S. universities with verified sponsorship history, so you can focus on departments that have already filed for international hires. Tenure-track job cycles run from August through December for positions starting the following fall, so search early in the academic year to catch new postings before departmental deadlines close.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Associate Professor of Economics jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.