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.
Also called: Analytical Statistician, Applied Scientist, Applied Statistician, Biometrician, Clinical Analyst, Data Analyst
Median pay
$105,650
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$64,000 – $174,050
People employed
29,030
Holland code
ICR
Investigative · Conventional · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 5.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 7.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
Statisticians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (44 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What statisticians do
- 01Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
- 02Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
- 03Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
- 04Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
- 05Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
- 06Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
Skills that matter most
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from statisticians
- Bioinformatics Scientists90% · group pay
- Computer and Information Research Scientists86% · +33%
- Environmental Economists83% · group pay
- Database Architects81% · +32%
- Financial Quantitative Analysts80% · group pay
Change into statisticians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Financial Quantitative Analysts91% · $81,100
- Survey Researchers89% · $69,460
- Bioinformatics Scientists87% · $98,920
- Social Science Research Assistants86% · $61,990
- Statistical Assistants85% · $50,330
Majors that lead here
- Educational Statistics and Research Methods
- Educational Assessment, Testing, and Measurement
- Institutional Research
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other
- Biometry/Biometrics
- Biostatistics
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Mathematics, General
- Applied Mathematics, General
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Statistics, General
- Mathematical Statistics and Probability
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.