Mathematicians
Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.
- O*NET-SOC code
15-2021.00 - Preparation Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$126,710
Employment, U.S.2,030
Median hourly wage$60.92
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $69,240 | $88,570 | $126,710 | $157,020 | $195,190 |
By state (13)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 250 | $126,710 | 1.04 |
| Colorado | 60 | $86,020 | 1.57 |
| Illinois | 60 | $130,970 | 0.81 |
| Indiana | 40 | $88,050 | 1.07 |
| Maryland | 160 | $131,810 | 4.38 |
| Massachusetts | 40 | $104,190 | 0.93 |
| Michigan | 90 | $65,510 | 1.65 |
| Nevada | 70 | $102,890 | 3.50 |
| New Jersey | 70 | Not available | 1.22 |
| New York | 150 | $126,950 | 1.20 |
| Rhode Island | 100 | $109,260 | 14.58 |
| Virginia | 400 | $148,030 | 7.45 |
| Washington | 100 | $162,280 | 2.14 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Statisticians | 5 | 0.973 |
| 2 | Biostatisticians | 5 | 0.960 |
| 3 | Physicists | 5 | 0.958 |
| 4 | Operations Research Analysts | 5 | 0.951 |
| 5 | Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 5 | 0.951 |
| 6 | Astronomers | 5 | 0.949 |
| 7 | Data Scientists | 4 | 0.943 |
| 8 | Financial Quantitative Analysts | 5 | 0.938 |
| 9 | Statistical Assistants | 4 | 0.929 |
| 10 | Environmental Economists | 5 | 0.927 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Mathematicians, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Research Analysts | Operations Analysis | 1.63 | 0.951 |
| Astronomers | Management of Personnel Resources | 0.88 | 0.949 |
| Environmental Economists | Management of Financial Resources | 2.63 | 0.927 |
| Economists | Service Orientation | 1.25 | 0.923 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | Monitoring | 1.00 | 0.920 |
| Geodetic Surveyors | Monitoring | 0.88 | 0.910 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | Programming | 1.00 | 0.900 |
| Credit Analysts | Service Orientation | 1.25 | 0.885 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Mathematicians, excluding software Mathematicians already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft SQL Server | 12 of 20 | 5.9x |
| Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA | 9 of 20 | 9.2x |
| Statistical software | 7 of 20 | 8.1x |
| Apache Hadoop | 7 of 20 | 7.9x |
| Microsoft Power BI | 6 of 20 | 11.1x |
| Software development tools | 6 of 20 | 10.3x |
| Git | 7 of 20 | 6.9x |
| Camfit Data Limited Microfit | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| Quantitative Micro Software EViews | 3 of 20 | 46.2x |
| Systat Software SigmaStat | 3 of 20 | 34.6x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 5.00 | 6.00 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 4.12 | 5.00 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 4.00 | 5.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 4.00 | 4.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.62 | 4.62 |
| Science | Essential skill | 3.62 | 4.50 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.25 | 4.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.88 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.88 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.75 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.62 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.75 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.88 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.85 | 6.65 |
| Education and Training | 3.70 | 4.85 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.50 | 4.95 |
| English Language | 3.30 | 4.00 |
| Physics | 3.00 | 4.25 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.90 | 3.79 |
| Communications and Media | 2.15 | 2.50 |
| Administration and Management | 2.05 | 2.55 |
| Design | 2.05 | 1.85 |
| Administrative | 2.00 | 2.05 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 1.95 | 2.05 |
| Foreign Language | 1.90 | 2.05 |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.80 | 1.65 |
| Biology | 1.75 | 1.95 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 1.70 | 1.60 |
| Chemistry | 1.63 | 1.70 |
| Geography | 1.60 | 1.68 |
| History and Archeology | 1.60 | 1.40 |
| Law and Government | 1.60 | 1.05 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.55 | 1.50 |
| Telecommunications | 1.55 | 0.95 |
| Sales and Marketing | 1.50 | 1.20 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.50 | 1.20 |
| Mechanical | 1.50 | 0.80 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.45 | 0.84 |
| Psychology | 1.40 | 1.00 |
| Transportation | 1.40 | 0.75 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.37 | not rated |
| Production and Processing | 1.35 | 0.65 |
| Public Safety and Security | 1.35 | 0.65 |
| Fine Arts | 1.21 | not rated |
| Building and Construction | 1.00 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.00 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 5.00 | 6.00 |
| Number Facility | 4.62 | 5.00 |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.12 | 5.12 |
| Oral Expression | 4.12 | 5.12 |
| Written Comprehension | 4.12 | 5.12 |
| Written Expression | 4.12 | 4.88 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 4.00 | 5.00 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.88 | 4.88 |
| Information Ordering | 3.88 | 4.88 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.75 | 4.75 |
| Originality | 3.75 | 4.75 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Near Vision | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.25 | 3.75 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.88 | 3.38 |
| Memorization | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Visualization | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Far Vision | 2.00 | 2.25 |
| Time Sharing | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 1.88 | 0.88 |
| Trunk Strength | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Auditory Attention | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Finger Dexterity | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Depth Perception | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.25 | not rated |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.00 | not rated |
| Control Precision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.00 | not rated |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Rate Control | 1.00 | not rated |
| Reaction Time | 1.00 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.00 | not rated |
| Stamina | 1.00 | not rated |
| Static Strength | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Atlassian JIRA in demand
- C in demand
- C# in demand
- C++ in demand
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Python in demand
- R in demand
- The MathWorks MATLAB in demand
- Chatbot software in demand
- Perforce software in demand
- Version control software in demand
- Adobe Photoshop hot
- Apple macOS hot
- Bash hot
- Cascading style sheets CSS hot
- Extensible markup language XML hot
- Hypertext markup language HTML hot
- IBM SPSS Statistics hot
- JavaScript hot
- Linux hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Visual Basic hot
- Microsoft Visual Studio hot
- Microsoft Windows hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- MySQL hot
- Oracle Java hot
All 93
- PHP hot
- Perl hot
- SAS hot
- Salesforce software hot
- Structured query language SQL hot
- Tableau hot
- UNIX hot
- AMPL
- ARfit
- Algae
- Analyse-it
- Analysis and Visualization of Time Sequences AVTS
- Apfloat
- Apple Shazam
- Aptech Systems GAUSS
- Aztec
- Computer Algebra System for Algebraic Geometry CASA
- DSP Development DADiSP
- Data visualization software
- DataDescription DataDesk
- DifEqu
- Discrete Dynamics Lab DDLab
- EleSoft Research
- Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
- GNU Octave
- Geomview
- GraphPad Software GraphPad Prism
- Graphics Programming Environment GRAPE
- IBM SPSS Amos
- Insightful S-PLUS
- Interactive Mathematical Proof System IMPS
- JACAL
- KANT
- KSEG
- LINDO Systems LINDO API
- MacKichan Software Scientific WorkPlace
- Magma Design Automation software
- Maplesoft Maple
- Mathsoft Mathcad
- Maxima Software
- Maximal Software MPL Modeling System
- MicroPress VTeX
- Minitab
- ModelKinetix ModelMaker
- Multipath Corporation Fast Matrix Solver FMS
- Numeritek NUMERICA
- Object oriented development environment software
- PARI/GP
- Polymath Software POLYMATH
- Provalis Research Simstat
- STATISTICA
- Sage Accounting Software
- StataCorp Stata
- SuperANOVA
- Symmetrica
- Systat Software SigmaPlot
- The MathWizards MathViews
- UNISTAT Statistical Package
- User interface design software
- Vormetric Application Encryption
- Web browser software
- Web server software
- Wolfram Research Mathematica
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 100 | 10.24 | $109,260 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 200 | 4.87 | $164,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 150 | 1.23 | $113,590 |