Important Qualities
Critical-thinking skills. Statisticians use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Problem-solving skills. Statisticians must develop techniques to overcome problems in data collection and analysis, such as high nonresponse rates, so that they can draw meaningful conclusions.
Speaking skills. Because statisticians often work in teams, they must be able to orally communicate statistical information and ideas so that others will understand.
Writing skills. Good writing skills are important for statisticians because they need to explain technical matters to persons without their level of statistical expertise.
Advancement
Opportunities for promotion are greater for people with master’s degrees or Ph.D.s. Statisticians with a master’s degree or a Ph.D. usually can design their own work. They may develop new statistical methods. They may become independent consultants.
Pay
Statisticians
Median annual wages, May 2010
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
$73,720
Statisticians
$72,830
Total, All Occupations
$33,840
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
The median annual wage of statisticians was $72,830 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,090 and the top 10 percent earned more than $119,100.
In March 2011, the average annual salary in the federal government was $95,695 for statisticians and $108,868 for mathematical statisticians.
As shown in the tabulation below, statisticians working for the federal government had the highest median annual wage in May 2010:
Federal government, excluding postal service $94,970
Scientific research and development services 83,140
Insurance carriers 66,050
Colleges, universities, and professional schools;
state, local, and private 65,020
State government, excluding education and hospitals 45,370
Statisticians generally work full time. Overtime may be needed to meet deadlines.
Job Outlook
Statisticians
Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
22%
Total, All Occupations
14%
Statisticians
14%
All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Employment of statisticians is projected to grow 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth will result from more widespread use of statistical analysis to make informed decisions. In addition, the large increase in available data from the Internet will open up new areas for analysis.
Government agencies will employ more statisticians to improve the quality of the data available for policy analysis. This occupation will also see growth in research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, where statisticians’ skills in designing tests and assessing results prove highly useful.
Statisticians will continue to be needed in the pharmaceutical industry. As pharmaceutical companies develop new treatments and medical technologies, biostatisticians will be needed to do research and conduct clinical trials. Research and testing are necessary to help companies obtain approval for their products from the Food and Drug Administration.
A large amount of data is generated from Internet searching. Businesses will need statisticians to organize, analyze, and sort through the data for commercial reasons.
Job Prospects
Job prospects for statisticians will be very good. Graduates with a master’s degree in statistics and with a strong background in an allied related field, such as finance, biology, engineering, or computer science, should have the best prospects of finding jobs related to their field of study.
Employment projections data for statisticians, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric
Statisticians
15-2041 25,100 28,600 14 3,500
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of statisticians.
OCCUPATION JOB DUTIES ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION MEDIAN ANNUAL PAY, MAY 2010
Actuaries
Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur and to help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.
Bachelor’s degree $87,650
Computer Systems Analysts
Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures and make recommendations to management to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.
Bachelor’s degree $77,740
Economists
Economists study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services.
Bachelor’s degree $89,450
Financial Analysts
Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.
Bachelor’s degree $74,350
Market Research Analysts
Market research analysts study market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
Bachelor’s degree $60,570
Mathematicians
Mathematicians use high-level mathematics and technology to develop new mathematical principles, understand relationships between existing principles, and solve real-world problems.
Master’s degree $99,380
Operations Research Analysts
Operations