Mathematical Science Occupations

How to become a Statistician

Official title: Statisticians

Also called: Database Analyst, Demographer, Education Research Analyst, Mathematical Statistician, Psychometric Consultant, Quantitative Methodologist, Statistical Analyst, Statistical Consultant, Statistical Reporting Analyst, Statistician

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

Main tasks

Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.

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

Apprenticeship: Data Analyst.
Apprenticeship: Junior Data Analyst.
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 Statistician?

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 Statistician 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 Statistician 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 Statistician?

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

Will AI change the work of a Statistician?

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.