What a typical day can look like
A general picture, not one person. Real days vary by employer, season and place.
What does an agricultural economist do?
An agricultural economist studies how money, markets and decisions shape food and farming. One project might look at why the price of a crop moved. Another might compare the costs of two ways to run a dairy. A third might estimate how a new rule would affect small farms.
Most of the work happens at a computer, with data, spreadsheets and statistical software. The harder part is turning the results into plain language that a farmer, a lender or a lawmaker can use. People in this field write reports, build models, give presentations and answer questions from the public.
- Analyze prices, costs and trade patterns
- Write reports and briefs for decision makers
- Teach, advise or run research projects
Where do agricultural economists work?
Many work at universities, where they split time between teaching, research and Extension programs that serve farmers. Others work for federal and state agencies, trade groups, banks and farm lenders, commodity firms, consulting companies and food companies.
The setting changes the daily routine. A university job leans toward research and classroom time. A bank job leans toward risk and lending. An agency job leans toward policy questions and public data. Look at several settings before you decide which fits your temperament.
Pay and outlook change over time and differ by employer and region. Check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for current figures rather than relying on a number from a friend or a website with no source.
What education do you need?
A bachelor's degree in agricultural economics, economics or a related field is a common starting point for entry-level analyst work. Research and university teaching positions usually call for a graduate degree. Requirements differ by employer, so read real job descriptions and ask the people who hold those jobs.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook lists the typical education for economists, and O*NET lists skills and tasks. Check both for current details instead of trusting a number you heard secondhand.
Which high school classes help most?
Take the strongest math you can, including algebra, geometry and statistics, and calculus if your school offers it. Economics, government and English matter too, because every analysis ends with writing. Agriculture classes give you the vocabulary and the context that many pure economists have to learn later.
Computer skills also pay off. Learn a spreadsheet well, then try a free statistics or coding course. Being the student who can clean a messy data set is a real advantage.
How can you start now?
Pick a question from your own world and study it. How did the price of feed, fuel or fertilizer change over a year, and who felt it first? Your ag teacher, local co-op or extension office may have records you can ask about. Write up what you find in one page.
Join FFA or 4-H and look for record-keeping, marketing or agribusiness events. Ask your county Extension office whether an economist at the nearest land-grant university will talk with students. A short email with one specific question gets better answers than a vague request.
If you have a family farm or know one, ask whether you can help analyze one decision, such as whether to rent or buy a piece of equipment. Use real numbers, show your steps and let the farmer tell you where your assumptions are off. That kind of feedback teaches more than a textbook problem.
- Try a farm business or marketing project
- Read market summaries from public agencies
- Enter a speaking or agribusiness contest
What are common mistakes?
Students sometimes think the job is only about math. Strong analysts also listen well and explain clearly. Another mistake is skipping statistics because it feels dry. It is the tool you will use most.
A third mistake is choosing a school without asking what undergraduates actually do. Ask whether students can work on research, take internships or join a team. Use College Navigator to compare programs, and confirm details with each school's admissions office.
What questions should you ask a working economist?
Reach out through your ag teacher, a university department or a county Extension office. Keep your message short and specific, and never share more personal information than a name and school.
Good questions include: What does a normal week look like? Which skills do you use most? What would you do differently if you were starting over? How did you choose between graduate school and working first? Write down the answers, because patterns across several conversations will help you decide whether this career fits you better than a related one such as agribusiness analyst or farm lender.
- How much of the work is writing versus data?
- What internships helped most?
- What part of the job surprised you?
Your next steps
- Agricultural economists turn data about prices, costs and policy into advice people can act on.
- Math, statistics, writing and agriculture knowledge all matter.
- Degree needs vary by employer, so read real job descriptions.
- Start with one real question about farm costs or prices and write up what you learn.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Ag Jobs & Careers Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.