# Mathematicians

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematicians
- SOC code: 15-2021.00
- Career family: Computers and math
- Median annual pay: $126,710 (10th percentile $69,240, 90th percentile $195,190)
- Projected growth: Little or no change, +0.6%
- Openings a year: 100
- Typical entry education: Master's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code ICA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 37 |
| Investigative (I) | 100 |
| Artistic (A) | 37 |
| Social (S) | 16 |
| Enterprising (E) | 2 |
| Conventional (C) | 67 |

## What you'd do

- Thinking Creatively (importance 93/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 89/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 84/100)
- Processing Information (importance 83/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 81/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 81/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 79/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 74/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 63/100)

## 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

## Also called

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

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

- [Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2701) (CIP 2701, 1,483 colleges)
- [Philosophy](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3801) (CIP 3801, 911 colleges)
- [Applied Mathematics](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2703) (CIP 2703, 426 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)
- [Mathematics and Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3008) (CIP 3008, 113 colleges)
- [Mathematics and Statistics, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2799) (CIP 2799, 59 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 |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Applied Mathematics | $135,449 | $157,822 | $8,125 |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Statistics | $116,208 | $156,743 | $19,500 |
| [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stevens-institute-of-technology-2604) | Applied Mathematics | $105,295 | $156,419 | $23,250 |

## Related careers

- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Physicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/physicists): $172,250 median pay
- [Statisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Computer and Information Research Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-research-scientists): $140,300 median pay
- [Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematical-science-teachers-postsecondary): $79,940 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 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.