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Data on display
New jobs in math occupations, projected 2021–31

March 2023

You don’t have to be a mathematician to work in a math occupation. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of the roughly 82,000 new jobs projected in math occupations from 2021 to 2031, all are in occupations other than mathematicians.

As the chart shows, data scientists accounts for nearly half the projected new jobs in math occupations over the 2021–31 decade. With demand increasing for data-driven decisions, more of these workers are expected to be needed to help mine and analyze data in computer systems design, insurance, consulting, and other industries.

Median annual wages for data scientists and the other occupations in the chart—statisticians, operations research analysts, and actuaries—were above the $45,760 median wage for all occupations in 2021. (Hover over a segment of the chart or click “View Chart Data” to see wages.) All of these occupations typically require at least a bachelor’s degree, and some need additional education or training.

You may have noticed that mathematicians isn’t among the occupations in the chart. That’s because it’s not projected to add jobs through 2031. Still, some openings for mathematicians, and for the other occupations shown, are expected each year over the decade as workers retire or permanently leave the occupation for other reasons.

Learn about math occupations, as well as hundreds of other career options, in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). The OOH has information about what workers do, their pay, their job outlook, and more.