Also called: Symbolic Computation Engineer, Math Software Algorithm Developer
Writes the software inside tools like Mathematica, MATLAB and graphing calculators that solves equations and integrals exactly, step by step.
You study why the system can't simplify a tricky integral, dig up an old math paper with a better method, and code it. Then you run thousands of tests to be sure nothing else broke, and answer a bug report from a teacher whose students found a wrong answer.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Master's or PhD in math or computer science.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Mathematics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics.
Growing about average. A few companies worldwide; AI math tools are changing the field.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI coding assistants speed the work, and AI may solve some math itself; deep algorithm design and proving correctness stay human.
Classes: AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, Math competitions.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-1252.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.