Statistician Salary Guide: How Much Do Statisticians Make?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Learn more about a statistician’s salary range and the factors that impact it.

[Feature Image] Statisticians study charts in front of a blackboard.

Key takeaways

Statisticians typically earn more when they have more years of experience and live in metropolitan areas. Discover key facts to know:

  • The median annual wage for statisticians is $103,300 [1].

  • Statisticians devise strategies and plans for utilizing organized data to optimize a business's operations.

  • You can pursue other professions that value your statistical skills, such as a data analyst, mathematician, or market researcher.

Learn about the average pay range for statisticians, how different factors impact their salary, and the job outlook for statisticians over the next decade. Afterward, consider enrolling in the IBM Data Science Professional Certificate. In as little as four months, you’ll have the opportunity to master the most up-to-date practical skills and knowledge that data scientists use in their daily roles. Upon completion, add this credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

What do statisticians do?

As a statistician, you perform tasks ranging from collecting data to analyzing it. Once you’ve collected and organized data, you may help come up with strategies and plans for how to use your findings to make a business run effectively and efficiently.

What is the average salary of a statistician?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for statisticians as of May 2024 is $103,300 [1]. A statistician’s salary varies based on experience, industry, and location.

In the following sections, you will find how other factors, such as professional experience and industry, impact a statistician’s salary. 

Statistician salary by experience 

A statistician's professional experience increases their average salary. According to Glassdoor, these are the estimated total median salaries for statisticians across many different experience levels [2]:

  • 0–1 years: $91,000

  • 1–3 years: $98,000

  • 4–6 years: $117,000

  • 7–9 years: $126,000

  • 10–14 years: $139,000

  • 15+ years: $161,000

*Glassdoor figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Statistician salary by industry 

The industry in which a statistician works can greatly impact their expected salary.

BLS shows a median annual wage of $172,440 for statisticians working for merchant wholesalers and a median annual wage of $128,360 for those working in media services [3].

To help you find an industry that meets your salary goals, here are ten industries and their annual median salaries as identified by the BLS for statisticians [3]:

IndustryAnnual median salary
Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods$172,440
Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing$165,390
Software publishers$163,400
Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers$155,570
Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing$149,370
Outpatient care centers$137,850
Aerospace product and parts manufacturing$137,100
Computer systems design and related services$136,340
Federal executive branch$129,690
Media streaming distribution services, social networks, and other media networks and content providers$128,360

Statistician salary by location

The average statistician's salary varies from one location to another. Typical factors impacting pay between different locations include the cost of living, the cost of labor, and the local job market.

Below is the average base salary a statistician can expect in 12 different cities, according to Indeed [4]:

CityAverage base salary (Indeed)
Silver Springs, MD$134,162
Atlanta, GA$115,472
Washington, DC$112,363
Chicago, IL$102,167
New York, NY$100,433
Suitland, MD$99,738
Durham, NC$91,663
Waltham, MA$89,259
Boston, MA$78,311

Is it hard to become a statistician?

Typically, becoming a statistician requires you to complete a bachelor’s degree studying a subject related to mathematics, though some employers may also expect you to have a master’s degree. For growth opportunities in this career field, you may consider returning to school to receive a doctorate.

Statistician job outlook 

The job outlook for statisticians is very positive.

Job opportunities for statisticians are expected to grow by 8 percent between 2024 and 2034 [5]. This is much faster than the growth rate for all occupations, which is projected to grow by 3 percent [5]. 

A statistician's skill with numbers, data collection, and analysis means that they’re well-equipped with skills that transfer to a range of other jobs. Here are some related jobs with their median total salary (according to Glassdoor):

*Glassdoor figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Statistician skills

Statisticians employ a variety of skills in their day-to-day jobs. While some of these are technical skills, such as programming with Python, others are people skills, like teamwork.

Through their professional work, statisticians can expect to employ the following skills:

  • Knowledge of programming languages, such as Python, R, and SQL 

  • Strong grasp of mathematics

  • Data analysis abilities

  • Database management 

  • Research skills

  • Problem-solving 

  • Critical thinking

  • Teamwork

  • Collaboration

Read more: 5 Types of Programming Languages

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Article sources

1

US Bureau of Labor Statistics.“Mathematicians and Statisticians: Pay, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm#tab-5.” Accessed October 23, 2025.

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