# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/statisticians
- SOC code: 15-2041.00
- 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

## Interest profile (code ICR)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 19 |
| Investigative (I) | 93 |
| Artistic (A) | 13 |
| Social (S) | 12 |
| Enterprising (E) | 14 |
| Conventional (C) | 84 |

## What you'd do

- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 99/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 99/100)
- Processing Information (importance 95/100)
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (importance 93/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 91/100)
- Getting Information (importance 88/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 85/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 83/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 78/100)
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (importance 75/100)

## Skills

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

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Computers and Electronics, English Language, Education and Training, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, Biology, Administrative, Engineering and Technology, Communications and Media

## Also called

Analytical Statistician, Applied Scientist, Applied Statistician, Biometrician, Clinical Analyst, Data Analyst, Data Analyst Specialist, Data Analytics Specialist, Data Coordinator, Data Engineer

## 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
- [Biostatisticians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biostatisticians): $105,650 median pay
- [Clinical Data Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/clinical-data-managers): $120,230 median pay
- [Mathematicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/mathematicians): $126,710 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 median pay
- [Financial Quantitative Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/financial-quantitative-analysts): $81,100 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.