Research & Academia

Statistician

SOC 15-2041.00 · ESCO 2120 · OSCA 223133

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Role snapshot

Overview

Designs experiments and surveys, builds mathematical models, and analyses numerical data to uncover trends and inform decisions across fields like medicine, government, and business. Statisticians apply rigorous quantitative methods to collect, process, and interpret complex data sets, providing critical insights that drive strategic planning and evidence-based policy.

Provides objective, data-driven insights that are crucial for scientific discovery, policy making, business strategy, and product development, directly influencing outcomes in public health, economics, and technology.

On the job

  • Develop and implement statistical models for data analysis and prediction.
  • Design and oversee data collection methods, including surveys, experiments, and observational studies.
  • Interpret complex statistical results and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders through reports and presentations.
  • Advise on data-driven decision-making and provide recommendations based on analytical insights.
  • Clean, process, and validate large datasets to ensure accuracy and reliability for analysis.
Statistician at work

Tools & technology

RPythonSASSPSSSQLExcelTableau

Average salary

$105K
MEDIAN SALARY Annual · USD
$75K Bottom 10%
$140K Top 10%

Job outlook

Excellent

New job opportunities are highly likely. Demand significantly outpaces supply in most markets.

Education & training

A master's or PhD degree in statistics, mathematics, data science, or a related quantitative field is typically required.

Career pathways

WHERE YOU COULD GO

Senior Statistician
Principal Statistician
Director of Analytics

CURRENT ROLE

Statistician

Research & Academia

ADJACENT MOVES

Data Scientist
Quantitative Researcher
Junior Statistician
Data Analyst
Research Assistant

STARTING POINTS

Who thrives here

Interest profile

I

investigative · ICR

Individuals who enjoy systematic investigation, applying logical reasoning to complex problems, and working with data and precise methods often excel in this role.

Personality characteristics

Curious

Possesses a strong desire to understand underlying mechanisms and explore data for new insights.

Methodical

Applies systematic and logical approaches to problem-solving and experimental design, ensuring rigor.

Detail-oriented

Pays close attention to the nuances of data, statistical assumptions, and model specifications to ensure accuracy.

Objective

Maintains impartiality when interpreting data, ensuring conclusions are based on evidence, not personal bias.

Reserved

Prefers working independently or in small teams, focusing on analytical tasks rather than extensive social interaction.

Resilient

Handles the challenges of complex data, ambiguous problems, and critical review of methods without becoming easily discouraged.

Best for

  • People who enjoy deep analytical thinking and quantitative problem-solving.
  • Those who are motivated by uncovering patterns and making sense of complex, often ambiguous, data.
  • Professionals who thrive in roles that require a blend of mathematical rigor and practical application to real-world issues.

Watch out for

  • Requires a high degree of precision and attention to detail, which can be demanding and require sustained focus.
  • May involve communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, which requires strong translation skills.

A week in the life

A representative working week for a Statistician — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.

8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm
Mon
Data exploration and hypothesis generation
Team stand-up and project updates
Statistical model development (coding)
Data cleaning and validation
Tue
Experimental design planning with research team
Drafting statistical analysis plan
Report writing and visualization of preliminary findings
Wed
Advanced statistical programming and debugging
Reviewing relevant statistical literature
Consultation with project stakeholders
Peer review of statistical methods
Thu
Preparation for findings presentation
Presenting analytical results to executive team
Refining models based on feedback
Fri
Mentoring junior analysts
Administrative tasks and documentation
Learning new statistical techniques or software
Deep work Meeting External Social Admin

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