Mathematical Science Occupations

How to become a Mathematician

Official title: Mathematicians

Also called: Agent-Based Modeler, Computational Mathematician, Computational Scientist, Cryptographer, Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst, Mathematician, Research Computing Specialist, Research Scientist, Researcher

Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

Main tasks

Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.

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: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
College: Computing & IT degrees, Offered by 34 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $126,710 a year The middle half earn $88,570 to $157,020.
About 2,200 people work in this job now, and about 2,200 are projected by 2035. (+0.6%)
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 Mathematician?

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 Mathematician earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $126,710 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $88,570 to $157,020.

Is a Mathematician a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 2,200 people now and 2,200 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Mathematician?

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

Will AI change the work of a Mathematician?

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.