How to Become a Statistician

From public health and policy to education and logistics, statistics shape the way the world operates. Businesses fine-tune their strategies based on market trends. Scientists use data to track and predict disease outbreaks. Policymakers rely on statistical models to guide decisions. Statisticians work at the center of these developments, converting raw data into actionable insights—and that's why they're in high demand.

If you're a natural problem-solver who enjoys working with numbers, a career in statistics may be a good fit. Explore how this valuable role contributes to various industries and how to become a statistician.

What is a statistician?

As a statistician, you gather, review, and interpret numerical data to find patterns and insights that business leaders can use to make informed decisions. In this role, you can work in various industries, including finance, health care, agriculture, and the government, designing frameworks for collecting data and extracting information from datasets. The work you do makes it possible for organizations to forecast trends, assess risk, and innovate in their fields. 

Primary responsibilities

Statisticians have an important role in turning raw data into actionable insights. Your work involves gathering and validating data to identify trends and solve problems. Take a closer look at the core responsibilities of statisticians:

• Collecting and preparing data: Gather information from databases, surveys, and experiments while ensuring accuracy and consistency.

• Analyzing and interpreting data: Use statistical models and software to identify trends, relationships, and patterns in datasets.

• Reporting and problem solving: Communicate findings through reports, visualizations, and presentations to help organizations make data-driven decisions.

Statistician Education requirements

You'll need at least a bachelor's degree to become a statistician, and 62 percent of statistician jobs in the field require a master's degree [1]. Popular undergraduate majors include statistics and mathematics, and you can tailor your studies to various industries by taking additional courses or pursuing a double major. For example, you could take courses in biology or chemistry if you want to work in the pharmaceutical industry. If your career plans include working as a scientist for an industry or corporation or as a researcher in academia, consider earning a doctorate degree in statistics.

Key skills needed to become a statistician

In addition to meeting statistician education requirements, you'll need a combination of technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills. The following skills are important in your work.

• Active listening: To be a good statistician, you need to understand the needs and perspectives of your team and stakeholders. Active listening ensures you grasp the issues they care about and can tailor your findings to your audience.

• Critical thinking: Statisticians need critical thinking skills to accurately analyze data, identify biases, and interpret results in meaningful ways. Without this skill, you risk drawing inaccurate or incorrect conclusions, misapplying statistical methods, or failing to notice misleading patterns in data.

• Mathematics: You'll need a strong foundation in mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, and probability, to understand and apply statistical models. This knowledge heps you perform accurate analyses.

• Problem solving: Statisticians frequently encounter complex data challenges. When this happens, you can apply problem-solving skills to develop solutions and optimize your analytical approaches.

• Statistical software: Around 13 percent of job postings for statisticians include knowledge of statistical software as a requirement [2]. Examples of this type of software include SPSS, JMP, and MATLAB.

Steps to becoming a statistician

To become a statistician, you need a combination of education and experience to develop your technical skills. Whether you're helping businesses make data-driven decisions or contributing to research that shapes industries, the work you do can have a real impact.

Complete a relevant degree

To become a statistician, you'll need a strong foundation in statistics or mathematics. Statistician jobs typically require at least a bachelor's degree in one of these fields or a related major, such as economics or computer science. Courses in applied mathematics, data analysis, and computer science can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need on the job.

For many roles, you'll need a master's degree, and some positions in research require a doctorate. In a graduate program, you'll have an opportunity to expand your specialized knowledge and gain valuable research experience, helping you stand out in the job market.

If you know the field you want to work in, consider pursuing a second major or minor in a related field. For example, if you plan to work in the pharmaceutical industry, a second major or minor in biology or chemistry can help you gain important knowledge to apply your skills more effectively in the area.

Gain practical experience

Many employers look for candidates who have practical experience with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. You can accept an internship or entry-level role—such as a data analyst or junior data analyst—to work with datasets and practice applying statistical methods. Through this experience, you can build your technical skills and become familiar with industry practices.

Develop technical skills

You should be comfortable working with programming languages and statistical software. Popular languages for statisticians include R, Python, and SQL. You should learn how to work with SAS' software analysis software and IBM's SPSS platform. Since statistics is a dynamic field, keeping up with new methods and tools is essential so you're prepared to work with different types of data on various analysis projects.

Certifications and professional development

Earning certifications and joining professional organizations show employers that you're committed to your profession.

• Certified Analytics Professional

• Accredited Professional StatisticianTM

• Graduate Statistician

• SAS Statistical Business Analyst

Consider joining the American Statistical Association for access to their resources, professional development opportunities, and networking events.

Job outlook and salary expectations

The job outlook for statisticians is positive—the US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the number of jobs in the field to grow by 12 percent through 2033 [3]. It anticipates the greatest growth in professional, scientific, and technical services [4]. Wages for statisticians are also above average, ranging from $58,690 to $163,360 per year with an average wage of $109,190 [5].

Statistician jobs: Industries that hire statisticians

As a statistician, you can work in various industries, where your ability to analyze data and identify patterns can help organizations make informed decisions. Your expertise can also help groups in the following sectors improve efficiency and reduce risks.

• Health care and pharmaceuticals: Statisticians in health care and pharmaceuticals work with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and public health agencies. You could design studies to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments, support medical research, and help identify the sources of disease outbreaks in humans and animals.

• Government agencies: Government agencies hire statisticians to design and analyze surveys on metrics such as unemployment, wages, and workforce trends. They also assess environmental data, track disease outbreaks, and evaluate defense strategies. 

• Finance and banking: Statisticians working in finance and banking analyze market trends, assess investment risks, and support lending decisions. You could help predict economic impacts, guide financial planning, and use tools to ensure accuracy and efficiency in accounting and actuarial work.

• Manufacturing: In the manufacturing industry, statisticians design experiments to test products. For example, you may evaluate the production process to identify which steps in the process contribute the most to defective products or assess the effectiveness of marketing strategies. You also can provide data used to set prices for finished goods. 

How to advance your career as a statistician

Growing your career as a statistician involves developing new skills, taking on leadership roles, and expanding your network. Consider the following:

• Pursue leadership roles and specializations. Moving into management or specializing in areas like machine learning or biostatistics can increase your career prospects. Earn advanced certifications or degrees to set yourself apart in the field.

• Invest in ongoing education. Stay current with new statistical methods, programming languages, and software to ensure your skills remain relevant. Online courses, workshops, and certifications can help you stay ahead.

• Build your professional network. Join organizations, such as the American Statistical Association, attend industry events, and engage with peers on online platforms to open up new opportunities.

Learn more about statistics with Coursera

Becoming a statistician requires a strong foundation in mathematics, analytical thinking, and data interpretation—skills that are in high demand across industries such as health care, finance, and technology.

The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is one option for building expertise in statistics, data analysis, and machine learning. Through hands-on projects, you can gain experience with Python, SQL, and data visualization and build valuable skills for your work as a statistician.