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.
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 is $99,960 [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]:
1-3 years: $81,885
4-6 years: $87,345
7-9 years: $92,567
10-14 years: $99,831
15 years: $109,288
The industry in which a statistician works can greatly impact their expected salary.
The BLS shows a mean annual wage of $162,400 for statisticians working within pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing and a mean annual wage of $84,550 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 | 460 | $162,400 |
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 60 | $141,000 |
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 70 | $144,280 |
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 70 | $128,630 |
Scientific Research and Development Services | 5,790 | $122,600 |
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 4,750 | $120,060 |
Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 2,170 | $120,890 |
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2,870 | $84,550 |
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 twelve different cities, according to Glassdoor.
City | Average base salary (Glassdoor) |
---|---|
San Francisco, CA | $100,860 |
New York City, NY | $89,935 |
Seattle, WA | $93,385 |
Los Angeles, CA | $90,319 |
Austin, TX | $83,535 |
Chicago, IL | $80,616 |
Boston, MA | $88,310 |
London, England | £45,509 |
Toronto, Canada | CA$83,971 |
The job outlook for statisticians is very positive.
Job opportunities for statisticians are expected to grow by 30 percent between 2022 and 2032 [1]. This is much faster than the growth rate for all occupations, which is projected to grow by 2.8 percent [4].
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: $152,292
Data analyst: $80,112
Mathematician: $98,110
Business analyst: $94,821
Market researcher: $69,183
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
Read more: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?
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.
BLS. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians and Statisticians, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm.” Accessed September 8, 2023.
Glassdoor. “Statistician Salary. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/us-statistician-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,15.htm?clickSource=searchBtn.” Accessed September 8, 2023.
BLS. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2021, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes152041.htm.” Accessed September 8, 2023.
BLS. “Employment Projections, https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupations-most-job-growth.htm.” Accessed September 8, 2023.
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