Actuaries
Median wage · national
$130,000
Range: $98K – $171K
Employed
27K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: bachelor's degree
STEM
Statisticians
With a national median of $105,650 and +11.0% projected job growth through 2035, Statisticians offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
About Statisticians
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a statisticians: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Management Sciences and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
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.
- Median Wage
- $105,650
- Employed Nationally
- 29K
- Openings / Year
- 1,900
- Entry Education
- Master's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Also known as:
Analytical Statistician
Applied Scientist
Applied Statistician
Biometrician
Clinical Analyst
How Much Do Statisticians Make?
Most statisticians take home around $105,650 a year, well above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $82,220 and $141,490, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. Worth weighing against how long the training takes. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$105,650
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$82K–$141K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$82,220
Entry-level
$105,650
Median
$141,490
Experienced
What Do Statisticians Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Mathematics
Mathematics
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Statisticians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Statisticians?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +11.0%, meaning it is growing faster than most occupations, so jobs should be easier to find over time. Around 1,900 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +11.0%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
Faster than average.
1,900
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
29K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Statisticians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $105,650 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 2,960 | $105,650 | +0.0% |
| 2 | Maryland | 2,730 | $132,620 | +25.5% |
| 3 | California | 2,480 | $135,960 | +28.7% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 2,480 | $96,710 | -8.5% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 1,630 | $93,830 | -11.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a master's degree. The 10 programs below are the most common routes in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
The next most common path is an Economics program and the colleges offering it, which suits a different kind of applicant.
Typical Entry Education
Master's degree
Job Zone
Zone 5: Extensive Preparation
Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Management Sciences | 56,747 | $86,176 | 593 |
| 2 | Economics | 46,225 | $82,686 | 928 |
| 3 | Mathematics | 27,179 | $69,562 | 1,491 |
| 4 | Experimental Psychology | 22,179 | $55,695 | 311 |
| 5 | Social Sciences | 17,458 | $53,366 | 529 |
| 6 | Applied Mathematics | 11,635 | $91,532 | 417 |
| 7 | Statistics | 9,944 | $92,425 | 281 |
| 8 | Ecology | 9,123 | $48,842 | 352 |
| 9 | Data Analytics | 7,294 | — | 292 |
| 10 | Data Science | 4,416 | — | 256 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Statisticians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 5 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Statisticians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Statisticians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Statisticians Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Statisticians a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $105,650 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- Fast-growing field At +11.0% projected growth through 2035, this career grows faster than the national average of about +5%. A strong signal for long-term demand.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $141,490 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- High education requirement Most employers require a master's degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.
Statisticians Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Statisticians professionals earn?
Around $105,650 a year for the typical worker, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,220 and $141,490. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Statisticians a good career?
Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $105,650 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +11.0% through 2035 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.
How long does it take to work as Statisticians?
Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A master's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Management Sciences are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $105,650 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Is a master's degree worth it to become a Statisticians?
For in-state public programs, generally yes. The margin tightens significantly at private schools with heavy debt loads. A $105,650 median may take 15 to 20 years to recover at high-cost programs. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.
What is the job outlook for Statisticians?
Employment is projected to change by +11.0% through 2035, faster than average compared with other occupations. Around 1,900 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 29K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
Why do Statisticians salaries vary so widely?
The $59,270 gap between the 25th ($82,220) and 75th ($141,490) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Statisticians professionals need?
Mainly Mathematics, Mathematics, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, and Reading Comprehension. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 106 of 393 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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