A statistician analyzes data and applies statistical and mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems in business, engineering, healthcare, and related fields. (BLS.gov). Statisticians do some or all of the following tasks:
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- Develop new statistical and mathematical rules, concepts and theories in geometry and algebra.
- Decide the data that is needed to answer various problems or questions in business or science.
- Apply statistical techniques to solve problems in business, engineering, sciences, and related fields.
- Come up with surveys, experiments, and opinion polls to collect needed data.
- Develop new statistical models to perform data analysis.
- Interpret new data and report conclusions that are drawn from the analyses.
- Use data from the analyses to improve business decisions and functions.
Statisticians work with people in other occupations to solve a variety of business and science-based problems. They might work with chemists, materials scientists, and chemical engineers to look at the effectiveness of new medications. Or, they might work with industrial designers to study the aerodynamic performance of new cars.
There are many surveys conducted in the United States that require the skills of statisticians. For example, surveys and opinion polls require statisticians to use a sampling method to collect data from certain people in a certain population. Statisticians must determine the size and type of sample that needs to be polled or sampled. Statisticians present the conclusions from their analyses and talk about the limits of the data to prevent improper conclusions from being made.
Statisticians are needed in many fields and are commonly employed in healthcare, government, research and development, and colleges and universities.
If you have a passion for statistics and data, you may want to earn your degree in statistics. Below is important information about the salary potential for statisticians from several official sources.
Statistician Salary Outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary for statisticians in 2018 was $87,700 with a range between $53,000 and $139,350. People with the highest salary usually have the most work experience and a master’s degree in statistics. Top salaries were found in these industries: (BLS.gov)
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services: $116,200
- Federal government: $113,200
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences: $110,500
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $61,400
It also is beneficial to look at the salaries for actuaries, who often use statistics in their work. The median salary for actuaries is $102,800 with a range between $61,100 and $186,000. Top industries in this field are: (BLS.gov)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: $108,900
- Finance and insurance: $103,100
- Government: $102,200
- Management of enterprises and companies: $97,100
Payscale.com
This website states the average salary for statisticians is $72,500 with a range between $51,000 and $107,000. (Payscale.com). Some of the listed salaries from companies employing statisticians are:
- University of Michigan: $66,000
- Public Health Institute: $74,000
- State Farm Insurance Company: $76,000
- US Census Bureau: $73,000
- Monsanto Company: $85,000
- Morpace International: $56,000
- Mayo Clinic Arizona: $80,000
Desired job skills and their related salaries are:
- Statistical analysis: ;$75,600
- Data analysis: $72,600
- SAS: $77,100
- R: $72,500
- Data modeling: $75,900
Your pay in this field will rise dramatically as your experience increases:
- Zero to one year of experience: $63,000
- One to four years of experience: $70,000
- Five to nine years of experience: $82,000
- 10 to 19 years of experience: $97,000
- 20 or more years of experience: $105,000
Salaries vary by city, as well:
- Washington DC: +17%
- Dallas: +14%
- New York City: +6%
- Chicago: +4%
- Los Angeles: +1%
- Atlanta: +1%
- Houston: -4%
Ziprecruiter.com
This website reports the average salary for a statistician is $97633 with a range between $24,000 and $167,000. (Ziprecruiter.com). Most in the field make between $75,500 and $117,000.
Indeed.com
This site reports an average salary for statisticians of $89,238. Below are some reported salaries from specific companies: (Indeed.com)
- Apple: $121,600
- US Department of Agriculture: $104,800
- CDC: $111,800
- US Government: $107,800
- Boston College: $91,600
- Smith Hanley Associates: $94,000
- University of Nebraska Medical Center: $64,700
- Techdata Service Company: $76,207
Job Outlook for Statisticians
The job situation for statisticians and mathematicians is bright, with 30% increase in jobs expected by 2028, which is much faster than average for all jobs. Employment for statisticians alone will grow by 31% by 2028, which is much faster than average. Growth should come from the greater use of statistical analyses to make better healthcare, business, and public policy decisions. (BLS.gov)
Also, the amount of data stored digitally will rise dramatically over the next 10 years as more people and organizations are doing business online, and will be using social media, smartphones and various mobile devices. Businesses will need statisticians and mathematicians to analyze the huge amount of data that is collected. Statistical analysis will help organizations improve their processes and develop and design new products.
It also is anticipated more statisticians will be needed for scientific research and development for drug manufacturing. The aging of our population should encourage drug companies to devise new medical technologies and drugs. Biostatisticians will be required to perform research and clinical trials for companies to get approval from the FDA for their products.
In the actuary field, there will be a 20% increase in jobs by 2028, which is much faster than average. Actuaries are needed to develop, price, and evaluate many types of insurance products. They also need to calculate new risk costs. Heavy statistical analysis is used by actuaries, so this is an attractive alternative job option. It is a small occupation, however, and only about 5,000 new jobs will be created in the next decade. (BLS.gov)
Average Statistician Salary by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York - Statistician | $51.55 | $107,224 |
| Massachusetts - Statistician | $51.18 | $106,453 |
| New Hampshire - Statistician | $49.94 | $103,869 |
| Maryland - Statistician | $47.50 | $98,804 |
| Hawaii - Statistician | $47.28 | $98,339 |
| Connecticut - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,054 |
| Alaska - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,048 |
| Montana - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,048 |
| North Dakota - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,048 |
| Wyoming - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,048 |
| Nevada - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,048 |
| Idaho - Statistician | $47.14 | $98,048 |
| Vermont - Statistician | $47.01 | $97,788 |
| Nebraska - Statistician | $46.92 | $97,597 |
| Washington - Statistician | $46.89 | $97,540 |
| Rhode Island - Statistician | $46.41 | $96,534 |
| California - Statistician | $46.38 | $96,479 |
| Virginia - Statistician | $46.15 | $96,001 |
| Arizona - Statistician | $45.66 | $94,976 |
| New Jersey - Statistician | $45.37 | $94,367 |
| Colorado - Statistician | $44.77 | $93,123 |
| West Virginia - Statistician | $44.74 | $93,069 |
| Minnesota - Statistician | $44.57 | $92,706 |
| Pennsylvania - Statistician | $44.57 | $92,700 |
| South Dakota - Statistician | $44.55 | $92,665 |
| South Carolina - Statistician | $44.49 | $92,529 |
| Tennessee - Statistician | $44.31 | $92,170 |
| Delaware - Statistician | $44.29 | $92,128 |
| Oregon - Statistician | $44.25 | $92,041 |
| Utah - Statistician | $43.94 | $91,397 |
| Ohio - Statistician | $43.86 | $91,220 |
| Kentucky - Statistician | $43.81 | $91,118 |
| Indiana - Statistician | $43.56 | $90,598 |
| Oklahoma - Statistician | $43.45 | $90,375 |
| Louisiana - Statistician | $43.32 | $90,111 |
| Wisconsin - Statistician | $43.25 | $89,955 |
| Kansas - Statistician | $43.11 | $89,676 |
| Maine - Statistician | $43.07 | $89,591 |
| Iowa - Statistician | $42.97 | $89,387 |
| Texas - Statistician | $42.26 | $87,892 |
| Georgia - Statistician | $42.10 | $87,577 |
| Arkansas - Statistician | $41.95 | $87,246 |
| New Mexico - Statistician | $41.71 | $86,751 |
| Alabama - Statistician | $41.40 | $86,106 |
| Michigan - Statistician | $41.35 | $86,010 |
| Illinois - Statistician | $41.22 | $85,740 |
| Mississippi - Statistician | $40.76 | $84,771 |
| Missouri - Statistician | $40.34 | $83,909 |
| Florida - Statistician | $39.74 | $82,650 |
| North Carolina - Statistician | $36.14 | $75,167 |
Source: Ziprecruiter.com, January 2020.
Summary
The job and salary outlook for statisticians is strong, and you can expect to earn a salary in the low $60,000s at least to start and move into the $100,000 range in certain business sectors.