If it is January 14th, then it is World Logic Day

In our personal lives or on the job, we all make logical inferences based on the information available to us. Interferential reasoning is especially important in some occupations. This TED explores some occupations in which different kinds of logic are intrinsic to the tasks of the job.

At the heart of mathematics is the use of deductive logic to demonstrate features of numerical relationships. Statistics uses probabilistic logic to document quantitative relationships between empirical observations and to build predictive models. Mathematicians had employment of 2,400 in 2024, with a median annual wage of $121,680. Employment of statisticians was more significant, 32,200, with a median annual wage of $103,300. Employment of mathematicians is projected to decrease slightly from 2024 to 2034, but employment of statisticians is projected to increase by 9 percent.

Boolean logic is the basis for digital electronics. Computer and information research scientists (2024 employment: 40,300) and electrical and electronics engineers (287,900) are both versed in the design of digital systems. In 2024, median annual wages were $140,910 for computer and information research scientists, and $118,780 for electrical and electronics engineers. Between 2024 and 2034, the employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to increase by 20 percent and electrical and electronics engineers by 7 percent.

Early systems of logic, such as syllogistic and propositional logic, were studied by philosophers in ancient times. Today, some professional philosophers continue to study and develop logical thought. In 2024, there were 27,300 postsecondary philosophy and religion teachers with a median wage of $78,050. Employment of philosophy and religion teachers is projected to increase slightly over the decade.

Detectives and criminal investigators (117,900) gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes, using critical thinking and both deductive and inductive logic to connect the evidence to an explanation of a crime. Forensic science technicians (20,700) aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Median annual wages were $93,580 for detectives and criminal investigators, and $67,440 for forensic science technicians. Employment of detectives and criminal investigators is expected to decrease slightly, while that of forensic science technicians is projected to increase by 13 percent between 2024 and 2034.

These data come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. For more information about these occupations, see

• mathematicians and statisticians
• computer and information research scientists
• electrical and electronics engineers
• postsecondary teachers
• police and detectives and
• forensic science technicians.