How much does a statistician make?

In the United States, experience, useful skills, and taking on more complex or responsible work can raise a statistician’s pay. Pay also varies by industry and employer, location, and hours; statisticians work in specialties such as health, farming, business, and economics.

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. Excludes “Survey Researchers” (19-3022).

What's a typical day like?

A statistician may plan a survey and decide whom to ask, then examine the results on a computer to find patterns. They turn the findings into charts and explain what the numbers show to coworkers or clients.

In the U.S., study math or statistics in college; most statistician jobs call for a master’s degree, though some accept a bachelor’s. Related experience or job training is typically not required, and professional accreditation is optional.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like figuring things out and keeping things organized.

In 1940, the U.S. Census asked about 5% of people extra questions; statisticians used that sample to estimate detailed facts for the whole country.