How much does a math specialist make?
a year · about $39 an hour
A typical math specialist in the United States makes $81,490 a year, about $39 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
The day depends on the specialty. For example, a bioinformatics technician may use computer tools to examine DNA or protein data and look for patterns to help scientists.
Did you know? Some workers in this broad math group use computer tools to study DNA and protein data, helping scientists look for patterns.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $47,980 and $154,580How do you become one?
Take plenty of math in high school, then usually earn a related bachelor's degree. This is a catch-all job group, so some specialties need more study; check the requirements for the exact job.
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can vary with specialty, experience, advanced skills, and how much responsibility a person has. The employer or industry and location matter too, and some specialties value extra education or credentials.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($180,500), lowest in Oklahoma ($36,820).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,980 | $81,490 | $154,580 | about 4,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $180,500 | about 120 |
| North Carolina | $101,850 | — |
| Texas | $93,090 | — |
| Illinois | $81,090 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $79,460 | about 70 |
Official definition: All mathematical scientists not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/15-2099.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-2099.01
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY