Learn more about a statistician’s salary range and the factors that impact it.
Statisticians interpret data, build statistical models, and help devise solutions for organizations such as businesses, government agencies, and academic institutions. As data becomes more important in the global economy, so too do statisticians who know how to use math to identify invaluable insights.
Their unique skill set and aptitude with numbers mean that statisticians are increasingly in-demand and their salary shows it.
In this article, you will learn about the average pay range for statisticians, how different factors impact their salary, and the job outlook for statisticians over the next decade.
As a statistician, you perform tasks ranging from collecting data to analyzing it. Once you’ve collected and organized data, you may help come up with strategies and plans for how to use your findings to make a business run effectively and efficiently.
A statistician’s salary varies based on experience, industry, and location. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for statisticians as of May 2023 is $116,440 [1].
In the following sections, you will find how other factors, such as professional experience and industry, impact a statistician’s salary.
A statistician's professional experience increases their average salary. According to Glassdoor, these are the estimated base salaries for statisticians across many different experience levels [2]:
0–1 years: $95,336
1–3 years: $107,328
4–6 years: $120,952
7–9 years: $131,107
10–14 years: $149,684
15 years: $177,758
The industry in which a statistician works can greatly impact their expected salary.
BLS shows a mean annual wage of $171,110 for statisticians working within pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing and a mean annual wage of $86,660 for those working in colleges, universities, and professional schools [3].
To help you find an industry that meets your salary goals, here are eight industries as identified by the BLS alongside their current employment levels for statisticians:
Industry | Employment | Annual mean salary |
---|---|---|
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 380 | $171,110 |
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 40 | $137,580 |
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 110 | $178,300 |
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 80 | $142,900 |
Scientific Research and Development Services | 5,460 | $124,310 |
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 4,730 | $125,350 |
Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 1,990 | $130,890 |
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 3,120 | $86,660 |
Note: Employment levels don’t include self-employed workers, so the sum doesn’t reach the total number of employed workers in each industry.
The average statistician's salary varies from one location to another. Typical factors impacting pay between different locations include the cost of living, the cost of labor, and the local job market.
Below is the average base salary a statistician can expect in 12 different cities, according to Indeed [4]:
City | Average base salary (Indeed) |
---|---|
Cupertino, CA | $139,334 |
New York City, NY | $136,962 |
Washington, DC | $110,302 |
Suitland, MD | $98,660 |
Austin, TX | $91,080 |
Boston, MA | $88,731 |
Chicago, IL | $85,536 |
Waltham, MA | $80,824 |
Los Angeles, CA | $80,239 |
The job outlook for statisticians is very positive.
Job opportunities for statisticians are expected to grow by 11 percent between 2023 and 2033 [1]. This is much faster than the growth rate for all occupations, which is projected to grow by 4 percent [5].
A statistician's skill with numbers, data collection, and analysis means that they’re well-equipped with skills that transfer to a range of other jobs. Here are some related jobs with their average base salary (according to Glassdoor):
Data scientist: $117,634 [6]
Data analyst: $85,692 [7]
Mathematician: $90,909 [8]
Business analyst: $93,490 [9]
Market researcher: $62,393 [10]
Statisticians employ a variety of skills in their day-to-day jobs. While some of these are technical skills, such as programming with Python, others are people skills, like teamwork.
Through their professional work, statisticians can expect to employ the following skills:
Knowledge of programming languages, such as Python, R, and SQL
Strong grasp of mathematics
Data analysis abilities
Database management
Research skills
Problem-solving
Critical thinking
Teamwork
Collaboration
Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional, you might consider taking an online, flexible course on Coursera. Stanford's Introduction to Statistics teaches you statistical thinking concepts that are essential for learning from data and communicating insights.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics.“Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians and Statisticians, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Statistician Salary. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-statistician-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,15.htm?clickSource=searchBtn.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes152041.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Indeed. “Statistician Salary in United States, https://www.indeed.com/career/statistician/salaries.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
BLS. “Employment Projections, https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupations-most-job-growth.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Data Scientist, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Data Analyst, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-data-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,26.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Mathematician, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-mathematician-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,27.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Business Analyst, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-business-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,30.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
Glassdoor. “Salary: Market Researcher, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-market-researcher-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,31.htm.” Accessed January 16, 2025.
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