Statistician

Your Fit

Income

$103K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

31.6%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Statistician?

A Statistician is a professional who applies mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze and interpret data, helping to solve real-world problems in business, engineering, healthcare, or other fields. They design experiments, surveys, and polls to collect data, analyze it using statistical methods, and interpret the results.

Sample job titles:

Database Analyst, Mathematical Statistician, Statistical Analyst, Statistician

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Statistician.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Statistician earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$60K per year	$79K per year	$103K per year	$138K per year	$171K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $54K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Statistician do?

Work environment

Statisticians typically work in an office environment, often as part of a team in sectors like government, healthcare, research and development, and finance. Some may work in academia, teaching and conducting research. The role often involves collaboration with other professionals, such as scientists, engineers, or business analysts.

Quick task list

Designs surveys, experiments, or opinion polls to gather data.
Analyzes and interprets data using statistical software.
Reports conclusions from the data analysis to stakeholders.
Develops new statistical methodologies or improves existing ones.
Collaborates with other professionals to apply statistical findings to various fields.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Biostatistics: Applying statistical methods to biological research and health data.
Econometrics: Focusing on the application of statistics in economic research.
Environmental Statistics: Specializing in the analysis of environmental data.
Psychometrics: Dealing with the theory and technique of psychological measurement.
Data Science: Applying statistical principles in the field of data analysis and predictive modeling.

Description

The role of a statistician is critical in a data-driven world, as they provide insights and conclusions that can influence decision-making in various sectors. Statisticians design methods for collecting data, analyze it to identify trends and patterns, and interpret the results to help solve problems. Their work is fundamental in research and development, policy formulation, market analysis, and many other areas.

Statisticians need strong analytical skills, proficiency in statistical software, and a solid foundation in math and statistics. They must also be adept at communicating their findings clearly, as their conclusions often guide important decisions. The ability to think logically and critically is essential, as they need to ensure that their data collection and analysis methods are robust and reliable.

The field offers diverse opportunities, allowing statisticians to work in many different areas, from public health and the environment to finance and marketing. The demand for statisticians has grown with the increasing importance of data in decision-making across various industries. The occupation is ideal for those who enjoy working with numbers, have strong analytical skills, and are interested in applying these skills to practical problems.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing valuable insights that can influence important decisions and policies.
Working in a variety of fields and on diverse projects.
The intellectual challenge of solving complex problems with data.

You might make a good Statistician if you are...

Analytically inclined and enjoy working with numbers and data.
Detail-oriented and meticulous in your approach to data analysis.
Skilled in critical thinking and problem-solving.
Interested in using data to understand and solve real-world problems.
Able to communicate complex statistical concepts in a simple manner.

Pros:

High demand across various industries.
Opportunities for intellectual challenge and continuous learning.
Potential to significantly impact decision-making and policy.

Cons:

Can require extensive education and specialization.
Sometimes the work can be highly theoretical and abstract.
Pressure to ensure accuracy and reliability of conclusions.

How to become a Statistician

Typical education

Most statistician positions require at least a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, or a related field, which usually takes 2 years beyond a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree may be sufficient for some entry-level jobs.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced mathematics courses, particularly in statistics and algebra.
Computer Science to develop computational skills.
Science courses to understand the application of statistics in various fields.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in math clubs or competitions.
Engaging in projects or activities that involve data analysis.
Attending workshops or seminars related to statistics or data science.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, or a related field.
Consider a master's degree for more advanced opportunities.
Gain practical experience through internships or research projects.
Learn statistical software and programming languages like R, Python, or SAS.

More resources

American Statistical Association (ASA) - Provides resources and networking opportunities for statisticians.
Khan Academy Statistics and Probability - Offers free online courses in statistics and probability.
Coursera – Statistics with R Specialization - Online courses focusing on statistics using R programming.
R-bloggers - A blog aggregator of content contributed by bloggers who write about R.

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