Author: Oleks Movchan
So, you have spent four years debating supply and demand curves, plotting the Phillips curve, and maybe even survived a game theory final or two, and now you’re wondering: what’s next? If you’re an Economics graduate in North Carolina, the latest NC TOWER data sheds light on what that next step might look like. Whether you're dreaming of Wall Street or just trying to land a job that doesn’t require a name tag, Economics grads have a range of options and realities to face after tossing that graduation cap.
According to NC TOWER, 12% of Economics majors who graduate with a Bachelor's degree from NC public universities head straight into graduate school, likely pursuing advanced degrees in Economics, Law, or Public Policy.
For the remaining graduates, the job market beckons. About 60% land a job in North Carolina within a year, with a substantial share diving into Professional & Business Services (34%) and Financial Activities (25%). However, not every journey begins in a corner office - many grads start out in lower-wage sectors like Leisure & Hospitality (20%) and Retail Trade (17%), often in temporary or transitional roles. A smaller share begin careers in education, utilities, transportation, or wholesale trade.
But here’s the plot twist: the longer-term career trajectory tends to bend upwards. Over time, more and more Econ grads transition into higher-paying fields, especially Financial Activities and Professional & Business Services. As experience and expertise grow, so do salaries, often tripling compared to those early-career earnings. Employment in other sectors, meanwhile, declines as graduates gravitate toward roles that better align with their skills and aspirations.
More data and insights are available on NC TOWER.