Career profile for Statistician

What does a Statistician do?

Statisticians develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information.

In addition, Statisticians

may specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics,
includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

What kind of tasks does a Statistician perform regularly?

Statisticians are often responsible for overseeing or executing some or all of the following tasks:

Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
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.

The above responsibilities are specific to Statisticians. More generally, Statisticians are involved in several broader types of activities:

Activities	Importance	Details
Working with Computers		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		Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Getting Information		Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others		Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Processing Information		Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working with Computers

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

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

Getting Information

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

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

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

Processing Information

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

What is a Statistician salary?

The median salary for a Statistician is $92,270, and the average salary is $97,170. Both the median and average roughly describe the middle of the Statistician salary range, but the average is more easily affected by extremely high or low salaries.

Many Statisticians earn significantly more or less than the average, due to several factors. About 10% of Statisticians earn less than $52,700 per year, 25% earn less than $68,810, 75% earn less than $121,800, and 90% earn less than $150,840.

Between the years of 2020 and 2030, the number of Statisticians is expected to change by 35.5%, and there should be roughly 5,000 open positions for Statisticians every year.

Median annual salary: $92,270
Typical salary range: $52,700 - $150,840
Projected growth (2020 - 2030): 35.5%

What personality traits are common among Statisticians?

Interests

Career interests describe a person's preferences for different types of working environments and activities. When a person's interest match the demands of an occupation, people are usually more engaged and satisfied in that role.

Compared to most occupations, those who work as a Statistician are usually higher in their Conventional and Investigative interests.

Statisticians typically have very strong Conventional interests. 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.

Also, Statisticians typically have very strong Investigative interests. 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.

Values

People differ in their values, or what is most important to them for building job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Compared to most people, those working as a Statistician tend to value Independence, Achievement, and Recognition.

Most importantly, Statisticians strongly value Independence. Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

Second, Statisticians strongly value Achievement. Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

Lastly, Statisticians strongly value Recognition. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious.

Psychological Demands

Each occupation brings its own set of psychological demands, which describe the characteristics necessary to perform the job well.

In order to perform their job successfully, people who work as Statisticians must consistently demonstrate qualities such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, and integrity.

Below, you'll find a list of qualities typically required of Statisticians, ranked by importance:

Demands	Importance	Details
Analytical Thinking		Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail		Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity		Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability		Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Achievement/Effort		Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Analytical Thinking

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

Attention to Detail

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

Integrity

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability

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

Achievement/Effort

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

What education and training do Statisticians need?

Many Statisticians have earned a graduate degree. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D..

Statisticians may need some on-the-job training, but most candidates will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Educational degrees among Statisticians

0.4% did not complete high school or secondary school
2.8% completed high school or secondary school
6.9% completed some college coursework
3.8% earned a Associate's degree
37.2% earned a Bachelor's degree
35.4% earned a Master's degree
13.5% earned a doctorate or professional degree

Knowledge and expertise required by Statisticians

Statisticians may benefit from understanding of specialized subject areas, such as mathematics, computers and electronics, or education and training knowledge.

The list below shows several areas in which most Statisticians might want to build proficiency, ranked by importance.

Knowledge areas	Importance	Details
Mathematics		Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics		Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training		Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Biology		Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Administration and Management		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.

Mathematics

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

Computers and Electronics

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

Education and Training

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

Biology

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

Administration and Management

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.

Important Abilities needed by Statisticians

Statisticians must develop a particular set of abilities to perform their job well. Abilities are individual capacities that influence a person's information processing, sensory perception, motor coordination, and physical strength or endurance. Individuals may naturally have certain abilities without explicit training, but most abilities can be sharpened somewhat through practice.

For example, Statisticians need abilities such as mathematical reasoning, number facility, and inductive reasoning in order to perform their job at a high level. The list below shows several important abilities for Statisticians, ranked by their relative importance.

Abilities	Importance	Details
Mathematical Reasoning		The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Number Facility		The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Inductive Reasoning		The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Oral Comprehension		The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension		The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Mathematical Reasoning

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

Number Facility

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

Inductive Reasoning

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

Oral Comprehension

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

Written Comprehension

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

Critical Skills needed by Statisticians

Skills are developed capacities that enable people to function effectively in real-world settings. Unlike abilities, skills are typically easier to build through practice and experience. Skills influence effectiveness in areas such as learning, working with others, design, troubleshooting, and more.

Statisticians frequently use skills like mathematics, critical thinking, and reading comprehension to perform their job effectively. The list below shows several critical skills for Statisticians, ranked by their relative importance.

Skills	Importance	Details
Mathematics		Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking		Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension		Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening		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		Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking

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

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Active Listening

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

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

What is the source of this information?

The information provided on this page is adapted from data and descriptions published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration under the CC BY 4.0 license. TraitLab has modified some information for ease of use and reading, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this information, please send a message.

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