Statistician Careers Information
Statisticians are responsible for taking large amounts of discrete data and shaping them into information that is useful for understanding complex processes and/or making predictions. Using computer programs and sophisticated sampling techniques, statisticians look for patterns that suggest, for example, how effective a new drug is or what people across the country feel about a new television show.
In this way, they make it possible for businesses and governments to act with knowledge they otherwise would have had no time or money to gather had they had to knock on doors across the country!
Statisticians are able to make such accurate predictions based on so little data because they work very hard to get the perfect sample. For a survey, they constantly tweak the questions and the recipient pool to make sure the sample is representative of a larger population.
Biostatisticians, or those who work with pharmaceutical companies, use their secondary training in biology to make sure new medicines are actually the cause of any patient improvements during a trial, rather than a mere placebo. Once again, they work hard to make sure the trial subjects are good representatives of the population at large so that the medication will work as expected when released to the general population.
Statistician Careers Path
Most employers require their statisticians to have at least a Master’s degree in statistics or mathematics; for those statisticians who wish to research, a Ph.D. is usually required. For jobs in the federal government, a Bachelor’s degree in statistics or mathematics with the proper number of statistics courses taken will suffice for basic level positions.
Many statisticians would do well to have additional training in related fields such as business, finance, computer science, or biology. Biology is especially helpful for those who wish to work in the pharmaceutical industry.
Statistician Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Highly analytical, detail oriented, excellent communication skills, computer savvy, self-motivated, project oriented, able to work under pressure of deadline.
Statistician Interview
A love for numbers is only one trait of many that a successful statistician needs. Read More about a Statistician…
Statistician Careers: Salary Expectations
The average salary for a statistician is $72,610 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $52,730 and $95,170. For those working for the federal government, the average salary is $92,322 a year. Beginning statisticians often work under someone with more experience. As they complete solid work, they are given increasing responsibility. Those with the most experience may be able to move into supervisory positions in order to earn more money.
Statistician Careers: Job Outlook
Because statisticians can work in a variety of industries, job prospects are good in the coming years. With computers able to crunch ever increasing amounts of data, employers will want statisticians to run the numbers to determine product reliability, popularity, and/or effectiveness.
Many positions may not have the title statistician but will require such knowledge nonetheless. Those with higher levels of education and those with training in related fields such as business, engineering, and especially biology (for work with pharmaceutical companies) should have the best chance of finding work.
Slightly off the Footpath
Source: bls.gov/oco/ocos045.htm
