Careers · Explore one path
Statisticians
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.
Other titles employers use
Database Analyst · Demographer · Education Research Analyst · Mathematical Statistician · Psychometric Consultant · Quantitative Methodologist · Statistical Analyst · Statistical Consultant
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Number Facility
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.6 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.3 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 62%
- A four-year degree 14%
- A doctorate or professional degree 14%
- A certificate or some college 5%
- A two-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Object or component oriented development software
- Development environment software
- Data base management system software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software
- Operating system software
- Enterprise application integration software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,010
- Job openings each year
- 300
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 31.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 4,010 | 300 | 31.0% |
| California | 3,900 | 300 | 39.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,380 | 260 | 30.5% |
| Colorado | 2,290 | 190 | 46.8% |
| North Carolina | 2,270 | 180 | 43.7% |
| Washington | 1,940 | 190 | 31.1% |
| New York | 1,730 | 20 | 12.3% |
| Arizona | 1,460 | 120 | 44.6% |
| Texas | 1,430 | 120 | 45.9% |
| Tennessee | 1,360 | 110 | 44.7% |
| Virginia | 1,360 | 110 | 34.7% |
| District of Columbia | 1,060 | 80 | 23.3% |
| Massachusetts | 1,000 | 80 | 35.1% |
| New Jersey | 930 | 70 | 31.0% |
| Michigan | 900 | 70 | 30.4% |
| Minnesota | 860 | 70 | 30.3% |
| Florida | 820 | 70 | 39.0% |
| Illinois | 800 | 60 | 29.0% |
| Oregon | 760 | 60 | 33.3% |
| Utah | 760 | 60 | 61.7% |
| Georgia | 720 | 60 | 38.5% |
| Iowa | 540 | 40 | 35.0% |
| Ohio | 540 | 40 | 28.6% |
| Wisconsin | 490 | 40 | 36.1% |
| South Carolina | 400 | 30 | 42.9% |
| Indiana | 360 | 30 | 33.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 360 | 30 | 44.0% |
| New Mexico | 330 | 30 | 37.5% |
| Alabama | 300 | 20 | 30.4% |
| Nebraska | 200 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Oklahoma | 190 | 10 | 26.7% |
| Vermont | 180 | 20 | 38.5% |
| Kentucky | 170 | 10 | 30.8% |
| West Virginia | 150 | 10 | 36.4% |
| Idaho | 120 | 10 | 50.0% |
| Louisiana | 120 | 10 | 33.3% |
| Delaware | 110 | 10 | 22.2% |
| New Hampshire | 80 | 10 | 33.3% |
| North Dakota | 70 | 0 | 40.0% |
| Alaska | 60 | 0 | — |
| Nevada | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Wyoming | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 2,015
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 2,138
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 2,147
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 2,295
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 1,781
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Degrees each year
- 1,412
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Degrees each year
- 1,868
- Admit rate
- 18%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 1,674
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Compare every college offering educational assessment, evaluation, and research