Statistician

What does a statistician do?

• Design surveys, experiments and clinical trials so that results are reliable.
• Clean, check and prepare data for analysis.
• Choose and apply statistical methods and models to answer questions.
• Write code in languages such as R, Python or SAS to analyse data.
• Interpret results and explain what they mean, including how certain they are.
• Present findings in reports, charts and presentations for non-specialists.
• Advise researchers and managers on how to collect and analyse data.

Where do they work?

Statisticians work for national statistics offices, government departments, pharmaceutical and clinical research companies, hospitals and public health bodies, banks and insurers, technology firms, market research agencies and universities. The work is computer-based, and hybrid or remote working is common in many countries. Statisticians often work in teams with scientists, doctors, economists or business managers. Deadlines can be tight around clinical trial results or the release of official statistics.

What skills do you need?

• Probability and statistical theory
• Statistical programming in R, Python or SAS
• Experimental and survey design
• Data cleaning and management
• Data visualisation
• Critical thinking
• Explaining uncertainty clearly
• Attention to detail

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• identify statistical patterns
• conduct quantitative research
• apply statistical analysis techniques
• apply scientific methods
• think analytically
• execute analytical mathematical calculations
• process data
• perform data analysis
• gather data

Essential knowledge: statistics · data quality assessment · statistical analysis system software · mathematics · scientific research methodology

How do you become a statistician?

Most statisticians have a bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics or a closely related subject with strong statistics content. A master's in statistics, biostatistics or applied statistics is common and often required, especially in pharmaceuticals and health research. Research and senior academic roles usually need a PhD. Employers expect programming skills in R, Python or SAS. Graduates in economics, psychology, physics or other numerical subjects can move in through a master's. Government statistics offices in many countries run graduate training schemes.

1. Statistics or mathematics degree. A degree in statistics or mathematics covers probability, statistical inference, regression, experimental design and programming. Choose options in applied statistics and data analysis, and try to complete a placement or project using real data. Some professional bodies accredit statistics degrees, which can help with later professional recognition.
2. Master's in statistics or biostatistics. A master's is the most common way to become a statistician, both for mathematics graduates and for people from other numerical subjects. Biostatistics programmes lead into clinical trials and public health, while applied statistics programmes lead into government, finance and industry. Most master's courses take one or two years.
3. Related numerical degree. Graduates in economics, psychology, physics, engineering or data science can move into statistical work, often starting as data analysts or research assistants. Building a strong base in statistical theory and programming, through further study or on the job, helps you progress to statistician roles.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Mathematics

  A mathematics degree develops advanced reasoning and problem-solving through pure mathematics, such as algebra and analysis, and applied areas, such as statistics, modelling and computing.

  6 linked careers

• Data science

  A data science degree teaches how to collect, clean, analyse and learn from data, combining statistics, programming and machine learning with knowledge of real-world problems.

  6 linked careers

• Economics

  An economics degree studies how people, businesses and governments make choices with limited resources, and how markets, money and policy affect jobs, prices and growth.

  6 linked careers

• Psychology

  A psychology degree is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour: how people think, feel, learn, develop and relate to each other.

  6 linked careers

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Do you need a licence to work as a statistician?

Statistics is not a regulated profession, and you do not need a licence to work as a statistician. Voluntary professional recognition is available in some countries, such as Chartered Statistician from the Royal Statistical Society in the UK and Accredited Professional Statistician from the American Statistical Association. Statisticians in clinical trials follow international guidelines, and those in official statistics follow codes of practice. Data protection laws apply when you handle personal data.

How much does a statistician earn?

Pay in the United States

• $105,650Median annual wage, May 2025
• $64,000–$174,050Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 29KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 15-2041, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes statistician and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Assistant statistician or data analyst
2. Statistician
3. Senior statistician
4. Principal or lead statistician
5. Head of statistics or chief statistician

Job outlook

Organisations in every sector rely on data, so people who can analyse it correctly and measure uncertainty are widely needed. Health research, clinical trials, public policy and finance all depend on statisticians. The role increasingly overlaps with data science, and automated tools and AI can now do much routine analysis. Statisticians who understand study design, can judge whether results are reliable and communicate clearly are likely to remain in demand.

Questions about becoming a statistician

What is the difference between a statistician and a data scientist?

The roles overlap. Statisticians focus on study design, statistical theory and measuring uncertainty, often in health, government and research. Data scientists usually work with larger and messier datasets and use more programming, machine learning and software engineering, often in technology and business. Many people move between the two roles during their careers.

What degree do you need to be a statistician?

Most statisticians have a degree in statistics or mathematics, and many employers prefer a master's in statistics or biostatistics. Graduates in economics, psychology, physics or engineering can also qualify through a master's. Research and senior academic roles usually need a PhD. Strong programming skills are expected in almost every role.

Is statistics a good career?

Statistics skills are needed in health, government, finance, technology and research, which gives you many options and some protection when one sector slows. Many roles offer flexible and remote working. The work requires patience, careful checking and strong mathematics. If you enjoy solving problems with data and explaining results, it can be a rewarding career.

Will AI replace statisticians?

AI and automated tools can already run routine analyses, which changes what junior statisticians do. However, someone still needs to design studies, choose the right methods, check assumptions, spot bias and explain what results really mean. Statisticians who can do this, and who can use AI tools well, are likely to remain in demand.

Related careers

• Data scientist

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  Degree usually needed

• Actuary

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• Data analyst

  Data analysts collect, clean and study data to answer practical questions, such as which products sell best or where a service is failing.

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• Epidemiologist

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 15-2041, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2120.6

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a statistician: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/statistician/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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