Statistics is a growing and in-demand field. From companies analyzing big data to researchers conducting studies, the applications of statistical analysis are widespread. As the uses and importance of statistical analysis continue to grow, so does the need for qualified statistics professionals. If you have an aptitude for math, enjoy analyzing data, and want a career that allows you to apply your quantitative skills to real-world problems, a job in statistics may be a great option. Here’s a guide to getting started in the field and landing a statistics job.
What is a statistician?
A statistician is a professional who is well-versed in mathematics, statistical theory, and methodology. Statisticians collect, organize, analyze, interpret, and present quantitative data.
Some common responsibilities of a statistician include:
- Designing surveys, experiments, and data collection processes to statistically represent a target population
- Identifying patterns and trends in complex data sets
- Building mathematical models to predict future outcomes based on past data
- Testing hypotheses and validating results through statistical analysis
- Summarizing research findings and presenting statistical reports
- Making data-driven recommendations
Statisticians work in diverse industries analyzing data to drive business strategy, inform policy decisions, advance scientific research, and more. Some top industries for statisticians include:
- Government
- Healthcare
- Finance and insurance
- Market research and polling
- Technology and engineering
- Higher education
What degree do you need to be a statistician?
Most statistician positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a related quantitative field. Some common degrees for statisticians include:
- Bachelor of Science in Statistics
- Bachelor of Mathematics
- Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science
- Bachelor of Science in Data Science
For more advanced statistician roles or to qualify for management positions, many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree or PhD in statistics, mathematics, or data science.
In undergraduate and graduate statistics programs, common coursework includes:
- Statistical theory
- Statistical modeling and analysis
- Data mining
- Data visualization
- Mathematical statistics
- Regression analysis
- Experimental design
- Survey methodology
- Statistical programming
- Probability theory
- Applied statistics
- Multivariate analysis
In addition to formal education, familiarity with statistical programming languages like SAS, SPSS, R, Python, and more is a key skillset for statisticians.
How to start a career in statistics
If you’re interested in becoming a statistician, here are some tips for starting your career:
Get relevant education and training
As discussed, a bachelor’s degree or higher in statistics, mathematics, or a closely related field provides essential foundational training. When researching schools, look for programs that allow you to take courses in statistical theory, modeling, data analysis, and hands-on training with leading statistical software programs. Consider a master’s degree or PhD if you want to qualify for more advanced roles.
Build technical skills
Develop proficiency with MS Excel, statistical programming languages like R and Python, SPSS, SAS, and other tools used on the job. Take extra classes, complete online courses, work through training books, or tackle project tutorials to build up your skillset. Experience with machine learning, data mining, and big data frameworks is also useful.
Get hands-on experience
Internships, co-ops, research projects, and other hands-on training opportunities allow you to apply classroom learning and develop real-world skills. Look for opportunities to collect data, perform analysis, and present statistical reports. Clinical study, market research, and public sector internships are great options.
Consider statistical certifications
Voluntary certifications like the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP®), SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst (SCSBA) and others can help demonstrate your specialized statistical knowledge to employers.
Network and join professional associations
Join relevant professional groups like the American Statistical Association (ASA), International Biometric Society (IBS), and local meetup groups. Attend events, conferences, and seminars to meet other statisticians and data science professionals. Making connections can help open doors to job opportunities.
Build a statistics portfolio
Assemble projects showcasing your statistical skills to share with potential employers. For example, upload public GitHub repositories displaying your programming and data analysis work. Contribute to statistics blogs and forums to demonstrate your knowledge.
How to get a statistics job
Once you have the right education and skills, here are tips for landing your first statistics job:
Search for entry-level statistician roles
Look for titles like Statistical Analyst, Data Analyst, Biostatistician, Clinical Data Analyst, Statistics Associate, and Quantitative Analyst. Entry-level jobs exist in almost every industry from pharmaceuticals to finance. Federal, state, and local government statistics jobs provide good opportunities for early career statisticians.
Highlight relevant skills
Emphasize statistical software proficiency, data analysis and visualization capabilities, and other specialized hard skills on your resume. Provide specific examples of school and internship projects demonstrating these abilities. Show how you can apply your statistical expertise to add value for employers.
Get your resume in front of the right people
Networking goes a long way in the statistics field. Attend career fairs, conferences, and professional association meetings to connect with potential employers. Follow companies you’re interested in on LinkedIn and Twitter and engage with their content. Sign up for statistics job alerts from reputable sites like the ASA Job Board.
Prepare for statistics interviews
Brush up on probability, statistical theory, modeling, and data analysis concepts. Expect interviewers to assess both technical skills and communication abilities relevant to the role. Be ready to describe your previous statistics work and how you would approach hypothetical projects.
Consider temporary or contract roles
Taking on short term statistics contracts or temp assignments is a way to gain experience and make professional connections that can lead to permanent job offers. Register with staffing agencies specializing in placing statisticians and data scientists.
Get involved in open source statistics projects
Volunteering your skills on open source data analysis initiatives is a great way to further build your statistics portfolio. Contribute to projects on sites like Kaggle and GitHub. Follow and engage with statistics thought leaders on social media.
Alternative career paths in statistics
If obtaining a statistics degree isn’t the right educational path for you, there are some alternative routes to starting a statistics career:
Consider a data science program
Data science is an interdisciplinary field blending statistics, computer science, and domain expertise. Data science bachelor’s and master’s programs provide training in statistical analysis, modeling, and programming that qualifies graduates for many statistician roles.
Supplement another STEM degree
Majors like computer science, mathematics, engineering, economics, and the natural sciences develop useful foundations in math, programming, and research methods. Taking electives in statistics, data analysis, and modeling can help position graduates for statistics jobs.
Transition from a related career
Experienced professionals in fields like computer programming, market research, financial analysis, and others can pivot into statistical analysis roles by developing targeted skills in statistical software, modeling, data mining, and visualization techniques.
Show equivalent job experience
Some employers will hire candidates into statistician roles based on demonstrated job experience performing statistical analysis and modeling rather than formal statistics education. Compiling a portfolio highlighting your data analysis work can help make your case.
Complete a statistics certificate program
Certificate programs allow professionals to take a sequence of graduate-level courses in statistical theory, data mining, modeling, data visualization, and programming. Earning a certificate can help transition to statistics from other fields.
Future outlook for statistician careers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for statisticians is projected to grow much faster than average over the coming decade, at a rate of 35% between 2020 to 2030. This will result in an estimated 13,600 new jobs for statisticians. Strong demand is driven by the needs across industries to collect, interpret, and make decisions based on complex data.
In addition to robust job growth, the BLS reports that the median annual salary for statisticians in 2020 was $92,270, well above the median for all occupations. Salaries for statisticians in top industries like pharmaceuticals and software publishing tend to be significantly above the median. Location also impacts statistician pay, with higher average salaries in metro areas.
For statisticians who obtain graduate education and develop specialized expertise, many well-paying career advancement opportunities are available, including management, research, and consulting roles. Given the complex analytical capabilities and communication skills required, statisticians tend to have very strong job security as well.
Conclusion
Statistics jobs are growing rapidly and offer great opportunities for those with an aptitude for quantitative analysis. By obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher in statistics or a related field, developing strong data analysis and programming skills, gaining hands-on experience, and networking with other professionals, you can be well-positioned to launch your career as a statistician. The future outlook for statistician roles in diverse industries remains bright, with strong demand and good compensation. If you want to leverage your math abilities to unlock insights from data, a statistics career provides many paths to challenging, high-paying, and rewarding work.