Statisticians
O*NET files this work under Statisticians: people who develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. The skills rated most useful are mathematics, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. One core duty is to analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information. Interest ratings put Investigative on top at 6.6 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is ICR and the day leans toward research, analysis and working through hard problems. Getting in usually takes graduate school and often five years or more of related experience, a level O*NET calls extensive preparation. People who want research, analysis and working through hard problems usually fit better here than those who need helping, teaching or caring for people.
What they do
Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.
Main tasks
- Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
- Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
- Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
- Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
- Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
- Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
Skills
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Listening
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
- You are comfortable relying on mathematics and reading comprehension.
May not suit you if
- You lose interest when a job asks for long stretches of analysis.
- You want helping people to be at the center of your work. Social rates 1.7 out of 7 here.
- You want to be working in the field within the next few years.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ICR takes the three highest, and Investigative comes first here.
Preparation
Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Master's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Database Analyst
- Demographer
- Education Research Analyst
- Mathematical Statistician
- Psychometric Consultant
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.