Statisticians

Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Job Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Examples

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $52K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $68K
Median Salary: $92K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $121K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $150K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.

Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.

Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.

Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.

Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.

Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.

Design research projects that apply valid scientific techniques, and use information obtained from baselines or historical data to structure uncompromised and efficient analyses.

Process large amounts of data for statistical modeling and graphic analysis, using computers.

Adapt statistical methods to solve specific problems in many fields, such as economics, biology, and engineering.

Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.

Report results of statistical analyses in peer-reviewed papers and technical manuals.

Evaluate sources of information to determine any limitations, in terms of reliability or usability.

Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.

Plan data collection methods for specific projects, and determine the types and sizes of sample groups to be used.

Supervise and provide instructions for workers collecting and tabulating data.

Examine theories, such as those of probability and inference, to discover mathematical bases for new or improved methods of obtaining and evaluating numerical data.

Prepare and structure data warehouses for storing data.

Develop software applications or programming for statistical modeling and graphic analysis.

Apply sampling techniques, or use complete enumeration bases to determine and define groups to be surveyed.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Analytical or scientific software
The MathWorks MATLAB
Business intelligence and data analysis software
Tableau
Data base management system software
Teradata Database
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Data mining software
SAS Enterprise Miner
Development environment software
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
Enterprise application integration software
SAS/CONNECT
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Object or component oriented development software
R
Object oriented data base management software
Microsoft Visual FoxPro
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Operating system software
UNIX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Mathematics
93%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

English Language
75%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics
73%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Education and Training
58%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Administration and Management
45%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Biology
45%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Psychology
42%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Medicine and Dentistry
41%
Importance

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Customer and Personal Service
39%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Communications and Media
37%
Importance

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Top 10 Skills
Mathematics
95%
Importance

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking
83%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension
80%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening
78%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Complex Problem Solving
78%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking
75%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Learning
73%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Science
70%
Importance

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Writing
70%
Importance

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Judgment and Decision Making
65%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Top 10 Abilities
Mathematical Reasoning
93%
Importance

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Number Facility
85%
Importance

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Inductive Reasoning
83%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Deductive Reasoning
80%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision
80%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Information Ordering
78%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Top 10 Work Activities
Interacting With Computers
95%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information
94%
Importance

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Getting Information
90%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
89%
Importance

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Processing Information
88%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
85%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
80%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
80%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others
77%
Importance

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Thinking Creatively
77%
Importance

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Detailed Work Activities

Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.

Evaluate technical data to determine effect on designs or plans.

Determine appropriate methods for data analysis.

Evaluate data quality.

Prepare data for analysis.

Present research results to others.

Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.

Prepare analytical reports.

Design research studies to obtain scientific information.

Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.

Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.

Supervise information technology personnel.

Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.

Write computer programming code.

Implement security measures for computer or information systems.

Install computer software.

Design software applications.

Work Context
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Education
Majors
Major
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
Statistics
Applied Statistics
Mathematical Economics
Data Science
Data Analytics
Research and Experimental Psychology
Social Sciences, General
Economics
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Interests
Conventional
91%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative
86%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Realistic
34%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Artistic
29%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Enterprising
29%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Social
15%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Analytical Thinking
92%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Attention to Detail
90%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity
88%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability
84%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Achievement/Effort
80%
Importance

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence
80%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Cooperation
79%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Independence
77%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Initiative
73%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Innovation
72%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values
Independence
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
72%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Relationships
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Working Conditions
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.