SOC 15-2021.00

    Mathematicians

    Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields.

    Median pay
    $126,710
    Growth
    +0.6%
    Little or no change
    Openings a year
    100
    Typical education
    Master's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $69,240
    Median
    $126,710
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $195,190
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    2,030 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Mathematicians conduct research and apply mathematical techniques to solve complex problems in science, management, and other fields. The career offers a median annual pay of $126,710, though employment in the field is relatively small.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What mathematicians do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Mathematicians focus on investigative work, using creative thinking and data analysis to solve complex issues. On a typical day, these professionals process information, work with computers, and update their knowledge to address scientific or managerial challenges. They frequently translate their findings by interpreting the meaning of information for others and communicating with supervisors and peers. Some mathematicians also spend time training and teaching others.

    Succeeding in this role requires strong skills in mathematics, critical thinking, active learning, and complex problem solving. Reading comprehension and science are also highly important. Because the work is intellectually demanding, mathematicians rely on key knowledge areas like mathematics, physics, computers, and English. They must also possess specific work styles, including a high attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, innovation, and perseverance when facing difficult problems. Tolerance for ambiguity and dependability help them navigate long-term research projects.

    How to get there

    Entering this career typically requires extensive preparation. Most professionals in this field need a graduate degree, such as a master's degree, a PhD, an MD, or a JD. The typical entry-level education specified for the role is a master's degree.

    Students interested in this path can choose from several related college majors. Common fields of study include mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, and mathematical economics. Other relevant majors include philosophy, mathematics and computer science, mathematics and statistics, and biomathematics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. For those looking to highlight their foundational workplace skills, the National Career Readiness Certificate from ACT is a related certification.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for mathematicians was $126,710. Salaries can vary significantly based on experience and industry; the lowest 10% of earners make less than $69,240, while the highest 10% earn more than $195,190.

    This is a relatively small field with 2,030 people employed. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to experience little or no change, with a growth rate of 0.6%. Due to this limited growth, the field is projected to have only 100 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    37 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    100 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    37 / 100
    Social (S)
    16 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    2 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    67 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code ICA. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Thinking Creatively
    93
    Analyzing Data or Information
    89
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    84
    Processing Information
    83
    Training and Teaching Others
    81
    Working with Computers
    81
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    80
    Getting Information
    79
    Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
    74
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    63
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

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

    Knowledge

    • Mathematics
    • Education and Training
    • Computers and Electronics
    • English Language
    • Physics
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Communications and Media
    • Administration and Management
    • Design
    • Administrative

    Abilities

    • Mathematical Reasoning
    • Number Facility
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Category Flexibility
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Information Ordering

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Innovation
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Perseverance
    • Dependability
    • Tolerance for Ambiguity
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Initiative

    Also called

    Agent-Based Modeler · Algebraist · Applied Mathematician · Cipher Expert · Computational Mathematician · Computational Scientist · Cryptanalyst · Cryptographer · Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst · Engineering Mathematician

    Career pathway

    From your interests to mathematicians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Mathematicians$126,710 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Duke University logo
      Duke University

      Durham, NC · Mathematics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $130,467
      4 yrs after
      $297,029
      Median debt
      $13,875
    2. 2Harvard University logo
      Harvard University

      Cambridge, MA · Statistics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $230,876
      Median debt
      Not reported
    3. 3Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT logo
      Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT

      Cambridge, MA · Mathematics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $141,075
      4 yrs after
      $174,951
      Median debt
      Not reported
    4. 4University of Chicago logo
      University of Chicago

      Chicago, IL · Mathematics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $172,826
      Median debt
      $12,000
    5. 5Dartmouth College logo
      Dartmouth College

      Hanover, NH · Mathematics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $93,979
      4 yrs after
      $168,580
      Median debt
      $12,500
    6. 6Brown University logo
      Brown University

      Providence, RI · Applied Mathematics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $135,449
      4 yrs after
      $157,822
      Median debt
      $8,125
    7. 7Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Statistics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $116,208
      4 yrs after
      $156,743
      Median debt
      $19,500
    8. 8Stevens Institute of Technology logo
      Stevens Institute of Technology

      Hoboken, NJ · Applied Mathematics · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $105,295
      4 yrs after
      $156,419
      Median debt
      $23,250

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What mathematicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work. Showing 12 of 20.

    • Algebra and Number Theory
    • Analysis and Functional Analysis
    • Applied Mathematics, General
    • Applied Mathematics, Other
    • Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other
    • Computational and Applied Mathematics
    • Computational Mathematics
    • Financial Mathematics
    • Geometry/Geometric Analysis
    • Logic
    • Mathematical Biology
    • Mathematical Economics

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about mathematicians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for mathematicians?

    People in this field may work under various titles depending on their specialty. Some of these titles include applied mathematician, computational scientist, cryptographer, cryptanalyst, and algebraist.

    What other careers are similar to this one?

    If you are interested in mathematics, you might also explore careers as data scientists, statisticians, physicists, or bioinformatics scientists. Other related options include computer and information research scientists and postsecondary mathematical science teachers.

    How many job openings are expected for mathematicians?

    The field is projected to have 100 job openings each year. This is accompanied by a projected employment growth rate of 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, which represents little or no change in overall employment.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.