Mathematical Science Occupations

How to become a Biostatistician

Official title: Biostatisticians

Also called: Biometrician, Biostatistical Consultant, Biostatistician, Research Scientist, Statistical Scientist

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

Main tasks

Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses.
Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.
Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies.
Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.
Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results.
Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software.

How to become one

Mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master's degree in mathematics or statistics. However, some positions are available to those with a bachelor's degree.

Typical education to start: Master's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US
College: Science degrees, Offered by 36 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $105,650 a year The middle half earn $82,220 to $141,490.
About 31,300 people work in this job now, and about 34,700 are projected by 2035. (+11%)
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Biostatistician?

Mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master's degree in mathematics or statistics. However, some positions are available to those with a bachelor's degree.

How much does a Biostatistician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $105,650 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $82,220 to $141,490.

Is a Biostatistician a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 11% by 2035, from about 31,300 to about 34,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Biostatistician?

Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Biostatistician?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.