How much does a mathematician make?
a year · about $61 an hour
A typical mathematician in the United States makes $126,710 a year, about $61 an hour, about 2.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They may use a computer to build and test a model for a science or business problem, then check whether the results make sense. They talk with scientists or engineers and explain their findings in reports or presentations.
Did you know? Three of four encryption methods chosen by the U.S. government for the quantum-computing era were based on research by a Brown University math team.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $69,240 and $195,190How do you become one?
In the US, earn a bachelor's in math, then usually a master's in math or statistics; some jobs accept a bachelor's alone. A Ph.D. can lead to university research, so many start work after years of college.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like figuring things out and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, more experience, an advanced degree, or a useful specialty can help mathematicians earn more. Pay also varies by employer and location; most work full time, but deadlines can bring overtime.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($162,280), lowest in Michigan ($65,510).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $69,240 | $126,710 | $195,190 | about 2,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $162,280 | about 100 |
| Virginia | $148,030 | about 400 |
| Maryland | $131,810 | about 160 |
| Illinois | $130,970 | about 60 |
| New York | $126,950 | about 150 |
Official definition: 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.
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/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-2021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.brown.edu/news/2022-09-21/cryptography
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY