To become a statistician you typically need a master's degree in statistics or mathematics, although some entry-level jobs accept a bachelor's. Federal government jobs in the US need at least a bachelor's or significant maths coursework. In the UK you can also train through data apprenticeships, from Level 3 up to a Medical Statistician Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
Statisticians design studies, clean data and work out what the numbers can and can't tell you. They work on clinical trials, government surveys, product tests and weather models. If you enjoy maths but want to see it used on real problems, it's one of the best-paid ways to do it.
I've built this guide from two official sources read as of October 2026: the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for mathematicians and statisticians, and the National Careers Service profile for data analyst-statisticians.
Statistician jobs and pay at a glance
| Measure | US figure (BLS) |
|---|---|
| Statistician jobs in 2025 | 31,300 |
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $105,650 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 10% for mathematicians and statisticians, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 2,000 across both jobs |
| Largest employer | Federal government, with 16% of statistician jobs |
Those figures are as of October 2026. BLS projects statistician jobs rising from 31,300 to 34,700 over the decade, which makes it one of the faster-growing professional careers.
The US route, step by step
- Start with a quantitative bachelor's. Statistics or mathematics is the obvious choice. For federal jobs, BLS says a bachelor's or significant coursework in mathematics is the minimum.
- Plan for a master's. BLS says statisticians typically need a master's degree, although some entry-level roles accept a bachelor's.
- Learn the software. Employers expect you to code your analysis, not just do it by hand, so build skills in statistical software alongside your degree.
- Pick a field. Federal agencies, research and development firms and healthcare are among the largest employers, and each one has its own way of working with data.
The UK route
The National Careers Service lists four ways in: university, college, an apprenticeship or a graduate training scheme.
- University. You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in statistics, mathematics, economics, operational research or psychology. A degree that included statistics, such as social science or geography, may also be enough. Entry usually needs 2 or 3 A levels including maths.
- College. Courses in maths, statistics, computing or economics, or a T level in Digital Data Analytics, can lead to a junior position.
- Apprenticeships. Options run from the Software and Data Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship and the Data Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to the Data Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship and the Data Scientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
- Health data. If you want to work on medical data, you may be able to do a Medical Statistician Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
The foundation apprenticeship is for people aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 if you have an education, health and care plan or you're in or have been in care or prison.
Where statisticians earn the most
Industry makes a big difference. These are BLS May 2025 medians for statisticians, as of October 2026:
| Industry | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Computer systems design and related services | $167,180 |
| Federal government | $132,620 |
| Research and development in the sciences | $130,590 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $100,900 |
| State colleges and universities | $80,680 |
Tech firms pay the most, and universities the least, though academic jobs often come with more freedom over what you study.
What you'll do
The National Careers Service gives a clear task list. You could:
- help design scientific research studies
- gather and organise data, check its quality and remove exceptions
- find patterns, trends and relationships with analytical tools
- build models to predict outcomes, for example in weather forecasting
- present findings as graphs and reports to clients and policy makers
- store data in line with data protection and information security standards
Most statisticians work full time in offices. BLS notes that deadlines and last-minute requests for data can mean overtime.
Skills employers look for
A degree gets you the interview, but it's the practical skills that get you hired. Based on the tasks both official profiles describe, focus on:
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- designing a study or survey so the data can answer the question you're asking
- cleaning messy data and spotting the exceptions before they skew a result
- coding your analysis so someone else can repeat it
- explaining uncertainty to people who just want a yes or a no
- handling personal data in line with data protection rules
That last pair matters most in government and healthcare jobs, where your findings may shape a policy or a treatment decision. If you can explain a confidence interval to a manager in plain English, you're already ahead of many applicants.
Statistician, data scientist or actuary?
The three overlap, and many people move between them. If you're more drawn to machine learning and code, read my guide on how to become a data scientist. If you want to price risk for insurers, how to become an actuary covers the exam route.
My verdict
Statistics is a strong career if you're willing to study beyond a first degree in the US. Get the maths right, learn to code your analysis, and choose an industry early because pay ranges so widely. In the UK, the apprenticeship ladder means you can start at Level 3 and work up without a full-time degree.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do you need to be a statistician?
BLS says statisticians typically need a master's degree in statistics or mathematics, although some entry-level positions accept a bachelor's degree.
How much do statisticians make?
BLS lists a median annual wage of $105,650 for statisticians in May 2025, as of October 2026. In computer systems design the median was $167,180.
Can you become a statistician without a degree in the UK?
Yes. The National Careers Service lists data apprenticeships from Level 2 upwards, and a Medical Statistician Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship for health data.
Do you need to code to be a statistician?
In practice, yes. The National Careers Service lists using analytical tools and developing automated methods for large datasets among the core tasks, and most employers expect you to code your analysis.
Is statistics a growing career?
Yes. BLS projects employment of mathematicians and statisticians to grow 10% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
