Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mathematicians
Summary
Mathematicians create models to solve practical
problems in fields such as business, government,
engineering, and the sciences.
Quick Facts: Mathematicians
2012 Median Pay
$101,360 per year
$48.73 per hour
Entry-Level Education
Master’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
None
On-the-job Training
None
Number of Jobs, 2012
3,500
Job Outlook, 2012-22
23% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2012-22
800
What Mathematicians Do
Mathematicians use advanced mathematics to develop and understand mathematical principles, analyze data, and solve real-world
problems.
Work Environment
Mathematicians work in the federal government and in private science and engineering research companies. They may work on teams
with engineers, scientists, and other professionals.
How to Become a Mathematician
Mathematicians typically need a master’s degree in mathematics. However, there are some positions available for those with a
bachelor's degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for mathematicians was $101,360 in May 2012.
Job Outlook
Employment of mathematicians is projected to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Businesses will need mathematicians to analyze the increasing volume of digital and electronic data.
Similar Occupations
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of mathematicians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about mathematicians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and
occupations.
What Mathematicians Do
Mathematicians work with formulas to help solve
problems in industry, academia, and government.
Mathematicians use advanced mathematics to develop and understand mathematical principles, analyze data, and solve real-world
problems.
Duties
Mathematicians typically do the following:
Expand knowledge in mathematical areas, such as algebra or geometry, by developing new rules, theories, and concepts
Use mathematical formulas and models to prove or disprove theories
Apply mathematical theories and techniques to solve practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields
Develop mathematical or statistical models to analyze data
Interpret data and report conclusions from their analyses
Use data analysis to support and improve business decisions
Read professional journals, talk with other mathematicians, and attend professional conferences to maintain knowledge of
current trends
The following are examples of types of mathematicians:
Applied mathematicians use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling, to solve practical problems. These
mathematicians typically work with individuals in other occupations to solve these problems. For example, they may work with
chemists and materials scientists and chemical engineers to analyze the effectiveness of new drugs. Other applied mathematicians may
work with industrial designers to study the aerodynamic characteristics of new automobiles.
Theoretical mathematicians do research to identify unexplained issues in mathematics and resolve them. They are primarily
concerned with exploring new areas and relationships of mathematical theories to increase knowledge and understanding about the
field. Although some may not consider the practical use of their findings, the knowledge they develop can be an important part of
many scientific and engineering achievements.
Despite the differences, these areas of mathematics frequently overlap. Many mathematicians will use both applied and theoretical
knowledge in their job duties.
However, most people with a degree in mathematics or who develop mathematical theories and models are not formally known as
mathematicians. Instead, they work in related fields and professions. In the computer systems design and related services industries,
they may be known as computer programmers or systems analysts. In finance, they may be known as quantitative analysts, financial
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
analysts, or statisticians.
Computer and information research scientists, physicists and astronomers, economists, actuaries, operations research analysts, and
many other occupations also use mathematics extensively.
Some people with a mathematics background become middle school or high school math teachers.
Many people with a Ph.D. in mathematics, particularly theoretical mathematics, work as postsecondary teachers in education
institutions. They usually have a mix of teaching and research responsibilities. Some may do individual research or collaborate with
other professors or mathematicians. Collaborators may work together at the same institution or from different locations.
Work Environment
Mathematicians may work on teams with engineers,
scientists, and other professionals.
Mathematicians held about 3,500 jobs in 2012. Most mathematicians work for the federal government or for private scientific and
engineering research and development companies.
The industries that employed the most mathematicians in 2012 were as follows:
Federal government
30%
Scientific research and development services
20
Educational services; state, local, and private
18
Management of companies and enterprises
7
Manufacturing
3
Mathematicians typically work in comfortable offices. They also may work on teams with engineers, scientists, and other professionals.
Work Schedules
Most mathematicians work full time. Deadlines and last-minute requests for data or analysis may require overtime. In addition,
mathematicians may have to travel to attend seminars and conferences.
How to Become a Mathematician
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years of serious study are required to
become a mathematician.
Mathematicians typically need a master’s degree in mathematics. However, there are some positions available for those with a
bachelor's degree.
Education
In private industry, mathematicians typically need an advanced degree, either a master’s degree or a doctorate. For jobs with the
federal government, candidates need at least a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or significant coursework in mathematics.
Most colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Courses usually include calculus, differential equations, and
linear and abstract algebra. Many colleges and universities advise or require mathematics students to take courses in a related field,
such as computer science, engineering, physics, or statistics. Candidates who have a double major in mathematics and a related
discipline are particularly desirable to many employers.
Many universities offer master’s and doctoral degrees in theoretical or applied mathematics. Many students who get a doctoral degree
work as professors of mathematics in a college or university, rather than work in government or private industry.
Also, holders of bachelor’s degrees who meet state certification requirements may become middle or high school mathematics teachers.
Students who are interested in becoming mathematicians should take as many math courses as possible in high school.
Important Qualities
Analytical skills. Mathematicians use mathematical techniques and models to analyze large amounts of data. They must be precise
and accurate in their analysis.
Communication skills. Mathematicians must interact with and propose solutions to people who may not have extensive knowledge
of mathematics.
Math skills. Mathematicians use statistics, calculus, and linear algebra to develop their models and analyses.
Problem-solving skills. Mathematicians must devise new solutions to problems encountered by scientists or engineers.
Pay
Mathematicians
Median annual wages, May 2012
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mathematicians
$101,360
Mathematical science
occupations
Total, all occupations
$76,270
$34,750
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
The median annual wage for mathematicians was $101,360 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an
occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $56,040, and the top 10 percent
earned more than $152,950.
In May 2012, the median annual wages for mathematicians in the top five industries in which these mathematicians worked were as
follows:
Scientific research and development services $118,030
Manufacturing
116,860
Federal government
106,360
Management of companies and enterprises
74,980
Educational services; state, local, and private
66,590
Most mathematicians work full time. Deadlines and last-minute requests for data or analysis may require overtime. In addition,
mathematicians may have to travel to attend seminars and conferences.
Job Outlook
Mathematicians
Percent change in employment, projected 2012-22
Mathematical science
occupations
26%
Mathematicians
Total, all occupations
23%
11%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employment of mathematicians is projected to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 800 new jobs over the 10-year period.
The amount of digitally stored data will increase over the next decade as more people and companies conduct business online and use
social media, smartphones, and other mobile devices. As a result, businesses will increasingly need mathematicians to analyze the large
amount of information and data collected. Analyses will help companies improve their business processes, design and develop new
products, and even advertise products to potential customers.
Mathematicians will also be needed to help information security analysts create data-security systems to protect the confidentiality and
personal information of individuals.
Job Prospects
Because the occupation is small and there are relatively few mathematician positions, strong competition for jobs is expected. Despite
the strong competition for mathematician positions, many candidates with a background in advanced mathematical techniques and
modeling will find positions in other closely related fields.
Those with a graduate degree in math, very strong quantitative and data analysis skills, and a background in a related discipline, such
as business, computer science, or statistics, should have the best job prospects. Computer programming skills are also important to
many employers.
Employment projections data for Mathematicians, 2012-22
Change, 2012-22
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2012 Projected Employment, 2022 Percent Numeric Employment by Industry
Mathematicians
15-2021
3,500
4,300
23
800
[XLS]
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of mathematicians.
OCCUPATION
JOB DUTIES
ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
2012 MEDIAN PAY
Actuaries
Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk
and uncertainty. They use mathematics,
statistics, and financial theory to assess the
risk that an event will occur and they help
businesses and clients develop policies that
minimize the cost of that risk. Actuaries’
work is essential to the insurance industry.
Bachelor’s degree
$93,680
Computer
Programmers
Computer programmers write code to create
software programs. They turn the program
designs created by software developers and
engineers into instructions that a computer
can follow.
Bachelor’s degree
$74,280
Computer
Systems
Analysts
Computer systems analysts study an
organization’s current computer systems
and procedures and design information
systems solutions to help the organization
operate more efficiently and effectively.
They bring business and information
technology (IT) together by understanding
the needs and limitations of both.
Bachelor’s degree
$79,680
Bachelor’s degree
$77,080
Database
Administrators
Database administrators (DBAs) use
specialized software to store and organize
data, such as financial information and
customer shipping records. They make sure
that data are available to users and are
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
secure from unauthorized access.
Financial
Analysts
Financial analysts provide guidance to
businesses and individuals making
investment decisions. They assess the
performance of stocks, bonds, and other
types of investments.
Bachelor’s degree
$76,950
Market
Research
Analysts
Market research analysts study market
conditions to examine potential sales of a
product or service. They help companies
understand what products people want, who
will buy them, and at what price.
Bachelor’s degree
$60,300
Nuclear
Engineers
Nuclear engineers research and develop the
processes, instruments, and systems used to
derive benefits from nuclear energy and
radiation. Many of these engineers find
industrial and medical uses for radioactive
materials—for example, in equipment used
in medical diagnosis and treatment.
Bachelor’s degree
$104,270
Operations
Research
Analysts
Operations research analysts use advanced
mathematical and analytical methods to
help organizations investigate complex
issues, identify and solve problems, and
make better decisions.
Bachelor’s degree
$72,100
Physicists and
Astronomers
Physicists and astronomers study the ways
in which various forms of matter and
energy interact. Theoretical physicists and
astronomers may study the nature of time
or the origin of the universe. Physicists and
astronomers in applied fields may develop
new military technologies or new sources of
energy, or monitor space debris that could
endanger satellites.
Doctoral or professional degree
$106,360
Postsecondary
Teachers
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in
a wide variety of academic and vocational
subjects beyond the high school level. They
also conduct research and publish scholarly
papers and books.
See How to Become One
$68,970
Statisticians
Statisticians use statistical methods to
collect and analyze data and help solve
real-world problems in business,
engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
Master’s degree
$75,560
Survey
Researchers
Survey researchers design surveys and
analyze data. Surveys are used to collect
factual data, such as employment and salary
information, or to ask questions in order to
understand people’s opinions, preferences,
beliefs, or desires.
Master’s degree
$45,050
Contacts for More Information
For more information about mathematicians, including training, especially for doctoral-level employment, visit
American Mathematical Society
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Mathematicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
For specific information on careers in applied mathematics, visit
Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics
For information on federal government education requirements for mathematician positions, visit U.S. Office of Personnel Management
To find job openings for mathematicians in the federal government, visit
USAJOBS
O*NET
Mathematicians
Suggested citation:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Mathematicians,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians.htm (visited August 12, 2014).
Publish Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2014
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www.bls.gov/ooh | Telephone: 1-202-691-5700
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