RESEARCH ECONOMIST 2 (P25)
Career Family: RESEARCH ECONOMIST
To land Research Economist 2 in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
It is a middle Research Economist grade, between Research Economist 3 below and the better-paid Research Economist 4 above. The one gate is a master's degree. The FY 2027 range lands between $79,844 and $117,228, and state payroll lists a single employee in the title, at Board of the Public Utilities.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Research Economist 2 appears on the State payroll at one department, Board of the Public Utility.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Board of the Public Utility | 1 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Research Economist series
- Research Economist 3 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Research Economist 2 — $79,844 – $117,228 (this title)
- Research Economist 4 — $100,498 – $148,187
- Research Economist 1 — $105,267 – $155,359
Promoting to Research Economist 4 raises the top of the band by about $6,801. Its top salary lands around the 63rd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 1 person working under this title. The median actual salary is $80,756. The agencies employing the most are:
- Board of the Public Utilities (1)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Research Economist 4 or other supervisory official in a state department or agency, gathers, analyzes and interprets economic data; designs and conducts surveys and/or other economic research studies; utilizes economic and statistical principles, practices, and techniques to identify trends, analyze data, and develop forecasts; formulates recommendations; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Plans and conducts independent research to estimate, project, and forecast changes in employment, population, income, hours worked, supply and demand, industrial growth, and other indicators of economic activity
- Compiles economic and statistical data relative to the area of assignment; ensures the accuracy and integrity of the data
- Analyzes and interprets data to evaluate economic factors; utilizes statistical software, and the application of modeling and trend analysis techniques
- Interprets economic data and trends; forecasts the impact on department/agency programs
- Designs and conducts surveys utilizing sampling techniques and monitors experiments to obtain desired types of information
- Prepares visual aide materials such as charts, graphs and diagrams to illustrate trends, forecasts, and the results of impact analysis
- May provide assignment and assistance to lower level Research Economist staff
- Performs complex mathematical and statistical calculations
- May respond to internal and external requests for information
- Designs and prepares reports showing economic trends, changes in employment, workforce distribution and demographics, industrial growth, or other similar measures of economic activity; makes presentations in support of conclusions.
- Maintains records and files
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units
Education
Possession of a Master's degree in Economics, Statistics, Industrial Relations, Public Administration, or Business Administration from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twelve (12) graduate credit hours in Economics
Experience
Two (2) years of comprehensive, technical research and analysis experience in the field of economics or a closely allied field having a strong economics orientation and which shall have included satisfactory completion of at least one (1) independently conducted economic research project of professional quality.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in NewJ ersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of economic and statistical principles and theories and their specific application to research and planning
- Knowledge of methods used in establishing samples, devising comprehensive surveys and research projects, and making statistical analyses involving the application of statistical measures
- Knowledge of economic research techniques such as literature reviews, proposal writing, methods of statistical analysis (e.g. sample methods, risk analysis, cost-benefit analysis, etc.), and hypothesis testing
- Knowledge of mathematical and econometric modeling techniques
- Ability to independently analyze and interpret economic and social data
- Ability to conduct special research programs and identify program needs, and to assist in evaluating program effectiveness
- Ability to apply and utilize economic and statistical principles, practices, and techniques to identify trends, analyze data, and develop forecasts
- Ability to devise methods and procedures for collecting and processing data
- Ability to perform complex mathematical and statistical calculations
- Ability to interpret economic facts and trends, and forecast their impact on department/agency programs or needs
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with department/agency staff and with representatives of other public and private agencies
- Ability to develop reports showing economic trends, changes in employment, workforce distribution and demographics, industrial growth, or other similar measures of economic activity
- Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's thesis or other reports related to the academic program will not be considered fulfillment of the research project requirement.
A Doctorate degree in Economics in an area which may include a majority of coursework related to economics may be substituted for indicated experience and research project.