Economist Job (Recent Graduates) – California & Washington (DOL BLS) 2026

⏰ 12 min read

Job Overview

Recent graduates in economics who want hands-on experience collecting real-world economic data may want to take a look at this opening. The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is accepting applications for an Economist position through its San Francisco Regional Office, with vacancies in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Francisco, California, as well as Seattle, Washington.

This role is offered through the DOL Recent Graduates Pathways Program, a one-year appointment that can lead to conversion into a term or permanent position at the agency’s discretion. It is not a remote position, though telework is available as determined by agency policy, and the role requires significant travel to interview businesses for economic data collection.

The ideal applicant recently completed a degree in economics or a related field, enjoys direct interaction with business officials, and is comfortable with a role that combines fieldwork with data analysis.

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Important: this program is specifically for recent graduates, meaning you must have completed your degree within the past two years (or up to six years for eligible veterans) to qualify.

About the Employer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics operates under the Department of Labor and measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity across the U.S. economy to support public and private decision-making. This role sits within the San Francisco Regional Office’s Division of Price Programs, specifically the Industrial Price section.

The Department of Labor’s broader mission is to protect the welfare of workers and job seekers, improve working conditions, and expand high-quality employment opportunities. The agency has not publicly detailed additional background beyond what is shared in the official announcement, so readers are encouraged to visit BLS’s official careers resources directly for a fuller picture.

Position Summary

Here is a quick snapshot of the basics for this opening, straight from the official announcement:

This is a Recent Graduates appointment lasting one year, during which the entire duration constitutes a trial period. A few vacancies are available across the listed locations, and additional positions may be filled from this same announcement.

Key Responsibilities

As an Economist in this program, your work would include collecting data from businesses for the Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Import/Export Price Indexes (MXP). You would plan, schedule, and conduct data collection assignments using established economic and statistical methods and procedures.

A significant part of the role involves direct outreach: performing internet research on sampled companies, making phone calls to schedule appointments, traveling to sampled establishments, and conducting interviews with high-level company officials to secure voluntary data. You would apply standard practices to the solicitation of data and evaluate the information collected to ensure reliability, comparability, and conformance to survey requirements.

You would also make follow-up contact with respondents to ensure accurate and timely results, and critically evaluate your collection experiences in relation to survey design, economic conditions, and industry trends, recommending modifications to improve the survey plan. According to the announcement, duties at the GS-9 level are developmental, building toward the full performance level at GS-12.

Required Qualifications

To meet the basic requirement for Economist, GS-0110, you need a degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. Alternatively, you may qualify with a combination of education and experience equivalent to a major in economics.

In addition to the basic requirement, to qualify at the GS-9 level you need 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 level, such as contacting sampled establishments to schedule appointments and interviews, securing voluntary cooperation to collect survey data, and making follow-up contact for data clarification. Alternatively, you may qualify with two years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master’s degree, or a combination of graduate education beyond the first year and specialized experience that together total one year.

Preferred Qualifications

The employer has not published a separate list of preferred or desired qualifications beyond the basic education requirement and specialized experience or education paths described above.

Required Skills

Based on the assessment criteria, the agency evaluates candidates through a USA Hire process covering arithmetic/mathematical reasoning, attention to detail, decision making, flexibility, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, learning, reading comprehension, self-management, and teamwork.

In practice, this means the role rewards someone comfortable with quantitative reasoning, persistent in following up with survey respondents, and capable of building rapport quickly with company officials during data collection interviews.

Salary and Compensation

According to the official posting, this position pays between $71,957 and $100,315 per year, with the exact figure depending on your final duty location. The pay scale and grade for this role is listed as GS 9, with a promotion potential of GS 12, though the agency notes there is no obligation to provide future promotions.

For readers unfamiliar with the federal pay system, the “GS” scale is the General Schedule used to set pay for most federal civilian employees. Promotions from GS-9 to GS-12 would depend on your ability to perform at a higher level, meeting performance requirements, and your supervisor’s recommendation.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, it is important to confirm that you meet the basic eligibility conditions the agency has set for this role. These conditions come directly from the official job announcement.

Employee Benefits

The employer directs applicants to review official federal benefits information, and as a federal position, this role would generally carry access to standard federal employee benefits. The agency has not published a fully itemized list of benefits specific to this announcement.

Since this is a Recent Graduates Pathways appointment, benefit eligibility during the one-year program may differ from a standard permanent appointment; applicants are encouraged to review the Pathways Programs resources linked in the official announcement for details.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position that is telework eligible as determined by agency policy, but it is explicitly not a remote work position. The selectee will report to an assigned DOL office location on a regular basis, and the posting notes that travel of 50% or less is expected as a core part of the job.

Work Location

Vacancies for this position are located in Los Angeles, CA; Orange, CA; San Francisco, CA; and Seattle, WA. The employer states that relocation expenses are not reimbursed for this position.

Hiring Process

Your evaluation will be based on how well you meet the qualifications outlined in the announcement, as demonstrated through your resume and supporting documentation, along with a USA Hire Assessment. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be placed into a category (A, B, or C) based on your vacancy question responses, with Category A representing candidates who demonstrate superior proficiency in the required competencies.

Your evaluation may include an interview, reference checks, or other assessment tools conducted by HR specialists or subject matter experts. The agency expects to make a selection within 30 calendar days of the issuance date of the certificate.

How to Apply

This position uses a two-part application process through USAJOBS and a separate DOL application system. Here is how the official process works, according to the employer:

Step 1
Create a USAJOBS account, including your resume and saved documents, making sure to note full-time or part-time status and hours for each position listed.

Step 2
Find the job on USAJOBS, click the job title, then click “Apply,” and proceed through the USAJOBS steps before clicking “Continue to agency site.”

Step 3
Create a DOL account (if you don’t already have one) and click “Apply to this vacancy,” then answer the vacancy-specific questions and submit required documents.

Step 4
On the Review and Submit step, verify every section shows a check mark, then certify your application and click “Submit Application.”

Step 5
Edit your application as needed before 11:59 PM ET on the closing date, August 14, 2026, by returning to USAJOBS.

Keep in mind that your resume is limited to two pages under the current federal Merit Hiring Plan guidance, and only the résumé uploaded under the “Resume” document type in USAJOBS will be reviewed.

Helpful Tips Before Applying

Since this is a Recent Graduates program, gather your academic transcript or diploma early, since proof of your graduation date is required to confirm your eligibility for the program.

Make sure your resume includes the month, year, and number of hours worked per week for any relevant experience, since this information is used to assess your specialized experience if you are not qualifying purely on education. If you are qualifying based on your degree, double-check that your coursework included the required 21 semester hours in economics and 3 hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.

Finally, remember this role requires significant travel and a valid driver’s license, so make sure you are prepared for a field-based role that involves visiting businesses and conducting in-person interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is this a remote position?
No, though it is telework eligible as determined by agency policy. The selectee reports to an assigned DOL office regularly.

2. Where is this job located?
Vacancies are available in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Francisco, California, and in Seattle, Washington.

3. What is the salary range for this role?
The official salary range is $71,957 to $100,315 per year, at the GS 9 pay grade, depending on final duty location.

4. Who is eligible for this program?
Individuals who graduated within the past two years (or up to six years for eligible veterans) from a qualifying educational institution or career/technical program.

5. Will this become a permanent job?
Possibly. Upon successful completion of the one-year program, the appointee may be converted to a term or permanent position at the agency’s discretion, though this is not guaranteed.

6. Will relocation expenses be covered?
No. The official posting states relocation expenses are not reimbursed.

7. How much travel is required?
Up to 50% travel is expected, since the role involves visiting businesses to collect survey data.

8. When does this announcement close?
It closes on August 14, 2026.

9. Is a security clearance required?
No, the position is classified as Non-sensitive/Low Risk, though a background investigation is still required.

10. How do I apply?
You apply through a two-part process: first through USAJOBS, then completing a second application on the Department of Labor’s own site.

Final Thoughts

This Economist opening may appeal to recent economics graduates who want hands-on experience with real economic data collection and are comfortable with regular travel and direct business outreach. It could be a strong entry point into a federal economics career for someone based in or willing to work in the Los Angeles, Orange, San Francisco, or Seattle areas.

Before applying, confirm you meet the Recent Graduates eligibility window and gather your transcripts early. Readers should always verify the latest information directly through the official USAJOBS announcement before applying.

Official Application Information