# Biostatisticians

> Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biostatisticians
- SOC code: 15-2041.01
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $105,650 (10th percentile $64,000, 90th percentile $174,050)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +11.0%
- Openings a year: 1,900
- Typical entry education: Master's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Statisticians".

## Interest profile (code ICS)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 24 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 30 |
| Social (S) | 35 |
| Enterprising (E) | 16 |
| Conventional (C) | 57 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 92/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 91/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 81/100)
- Processing Information (importance 79/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 79/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Getting Information (importance 76/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 72/100)
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Mathematics, Active Learning, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Science, Speaking, Active Listening, Writing

## Knowledge

Mathematics, English Language, Computers and Electronics, Medicine and Dentistry, Biology, Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, Psychology, Administrative

## Also called

Bioinformatics Scientist, Biomathematician, Biometrician, Biostatistical Consultant, Biostatistician, Clinical Biostatistician, NGS Biostatistician (Next-Generation Sequencing), Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Biostatistician, Research Scientist

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2701) (CIP 2701, 1,483 colleges)
- [Economics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4506) (CIP 4506, 925 colleges)
- [Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5213) (CIP 5213, 631 colleges)
- [Social Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4501) (CIP 4501, 547 colleges)
- [Applied Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2703) (CIP 2703, 426 colleges)
- [Data Analytics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3071) (CIP 3071, 366 colleges)
- [Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2613) (CIP 2613, 353 colleges)
- [Research and Experimental Psychology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4227) (CIP 4227, 327 colleges)
- [Data Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3070) (CIP 3070, 323 colleges)
- [Statistics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2705) (CIP 2705, 290 colleges)
- [Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2611) (CIP 2611, 200 colleges)
- [Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1306) (CIP 1306, 166 colleges)
- Applied Statistics (CIP 2706, 39 colleges)
- Mathematical Economics (CIP 3049, 13 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Mathematics | $130,467 | $297,029 | $13,875 |
| [Harvard University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/harvard-university-1157) | Statistics | not reported | $230,876 | not reported |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Mathematics | $141,075 | $174,951 | not reported |
| [University of Chicago](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-chicago-2895) | Mathematics | not reported | $172,826 | $12,000 |
| [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dartmouth-college-769) | Mathematics | $93,979 | $168,580 | $12,500 |
| [Williams College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/williams-college-3281) | Economics | $105,744 | $166,678 | $9,750 |
| [Princeton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/princeton-university-2154) | Economics | $108,471 | $160,763 | not reported |
| [New York University NYU](https://www.collegesref.com/college/new-york-university-nyu-1866) | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $111,101 | $158,559 | $13,250 |

## Related careers

- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Statisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 median pay
- [Clinical Data Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-data-managers): $120,230 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-technicians): $81,490 median pay
- [Statistical Assistants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statistical-assistants): $50,330 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.