Statisticians

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-2041
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
• Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.
• Design research projects that apply valid scientific techniques, and use information obtained from baselines or historical data to structure uncompromised and efficient analyses.
• Adapt statistical methods to solve specific problems in many fields, such as economics, biology, and engineering.
• Evaluate sources of information to determine any limitations, in terms of reliability or usability.
• Process large amounts of data for statistical modeling and graphic analysis, using computers.

Tools and technology

Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, C++, Extensible markup language XML, IBM DB2, IBM SPSS Statistics, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Data Scientists
• Biostatisticians
• Clinical Data Managers
• Mathematicians
• Bioinformatics Scientists
• Financial Quantitative Analysts
• Survey Researchers
• Operations Research Analysts

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Statisticians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.