Also called: Research Mathematician
Discovers new math and uses it to solve hard problems for government, tech, and industry.
Only a few thousand people in the US have the job title 'mathematician,' and many work for the federal government, including the NSA and Defense Department. A day might be spent proving a theorem, building a model, or coding an algorithm.
BLS median for mathematicians (May 2024).
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in mathematics for most research jobs; some government and industry roles take a master's.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics.
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years). Growth is for mathematicians and statisticians combined.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI systems now prove some theorems and write code; fewer research openings, with new problems and judgment staying human.
Classes: AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, Proof-based math dual-enroll.
Official data: O*NET occupation 15-2021.
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.