Statistics Jobs Overview
Statisticians are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and displaying data. They use this data and statistical techniques to advise firms on how to make smart business decisions. Their research has many practical applications in fields as diverse as business, medicine, farming, and engineering. Common duties performed by statisticians are:
- collect data
- input data into computer systems
- use software to analyze data
- interpret data
- design surveys and experiments
- create mathematical and statistical models
- develop data visualizations
- solve real-world business problems
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an impressive 31% increase in statistician jobs over the next several years, making now an excellent time to begin training for a career in statistics. When training for statistics jobs, many statisticians choose to specialize in one or more fields of study, such as:
- bio-statistics
- agricultural statistics
- economic statistics
- business statistics
Statisticians usually work in comfortable office settings or from home throughout the standard 9–5 working day. Some statisticians, though, put in overtime to fulfill their deadlines. To oversee research projects, disseminate surveys, or gather data, statisticians may need to travel.
Statistics Jobs: Salary Range
Statisticians earn anywhere from $42,377 to $118,821 per year, with the median annual salary being $83,828. The cities with the highest demand for statisticians are New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; Boston, MA; and Chicago, IL. The amount of money that you'll earn as a statistician greatly depends on your location, education, experience, and the industry you work in. Average annual salaries for statistics-related jobs in different fields are:
Taking time to carefully research salary information for different statistics jobs is important in helping you find a career that meets your financial needs. To explore salaries for different statistician roles in your area, use the Monster Salary Tool.
Finding the Ideal Statistics Jobs for You
Creating short- and long-term career objectives is essential to finding a fulfilling career. Ask yourself these key questions when reading statistician job descriptions to ensure you find a job that can help you achieve your career goals:
- What are the typical duties?
- What education and/or experience do I need for the job?
- In order to be successful in this field, what qualities and interests are necessary?
- What excites me most about this line of work?
- What is the employer's workplace like, and does it align with my preferred work and management style?
- Will the position help me achieve a positive work-life balance?
Asking about promotional and professional development opportunities is key to finding an employer that supports your career growth. Many statisticians use professional development in their careers to advance into higher-paying positions, like:
Tips for Applying to Statistics Jobs
Always take your time when filling out applications for statistics jobs. Applicants who don't take the time to personalize their applications will send a negative message to potential employers.
Taking your time on applications is important because it helps you avoid embarrassing typos and spelling mistakes. Additionally, it gives you time to double-check important information, like any special guidelines that you're supposed to follow. Use the advice in the sections below to boost your chances of landing a job interview.
Carefully Prepare Your Application
When filling out your application, use these tips:
- Include examples of how your expertise in statistics will benefit the employer.
- It's tempting to include all your accomplishments, but you should focus on the ones that are most relevant to the position you're applying for.
- Check the job description for all required skills and qualifications and include those in your application to showcase your ability to effectively fill the job role.
Essential skills to include in applications for statistics jobs are:
- mathematics
- problem-solving
- communication
- analytical
- academic research
- interpersonal
- data analysis
Build a Strong Resume
With the projected job growth rate for statisticians being as high as it is, it's imperative to differentiate yourself from other job applicants. One of the best ways to do this is with your resume. When creating your resume, keep the following in mind:
- If your work experience is substantial and directly related to data analysis and statistics, then follow a chronological resume format.
- If you don't have a lot of relevant job experience, a functional resume will assist in showcasing your talents and credentials.
- Mixed resumes are good for those who want to emphasize skills, qualifications, and extended work histories.
- Use a spell and grammar checker to fix any typos.
- Always include relevant resume keywords.
Resume keywords not only highlight your skills and qualifications, but they also help recruiters find your application when using applicant tracking software. Some of the best resume keywords to use in applications for statistics jobs are:
- statistical modeling
- machine learning
- statistics
- R programming language
- data mining
- statistical analysis system (SAS)
- biostatistics
- SAS programming
Use the following resume samples as inspiration when creating your own for statistics jobs:
Need assistance creating a standout resume that successfully passes applicant tracking software and is custom-tailored to the position you're applying for? Use Monster's Resume Writing Service.
Create a Cover Letter
Your cover letter complements your resume. It clarifies to the hiring manager how your analytical skills and interests align with the requirements of the job you're applying for. Not all employers will ask you to attach one to your application, but doing so increases your chances of getting an interview. When creating your cover letter, use these tips:
- Use a standard business letter format.
- Start by introducing yourself.
- Include several body paragraphs, each of which should highlight your skills and experience in statistics.
- Add a closing paragraph that encourages the hiring manager to contact you with questions and thanks the person for their time and consideration.
- Use clear and concise language.
- Aim for one or two pages.
- Proofread all content carefully by using a spell and grammar checker.
Submitting the Application
Monster makes it easier than ever to find and apply for statistics jobs. By joining Monster, you can search for open jobs, and recruiters may find you in our resume database. After using your email to sign up, simply fill in details about your work experience and upload your resume and cover letter.
When you find jobs on Monster that you want to apply for, just go to the job listing and hit the Apply button. The hiring manager or recruiter responsible for filling the job will immediately receive your profile information along with your resume and cover letter.
Application Follow-Up Methods
Following up after sending an application is an excellent way to keep your name at the forefront of a hiring manager's mind. It's best to wait about five business days after sending an application to conduct your follow-up, as this ensures the hiring manager has had enough time to review your information.
How to Follow Up
You can do an application follow-up by phone, but you may have trouble talking to the actual person in charge of hiring. This is why email follow-ups tend to be the best and most convenient. In the email follow-up that you send, be sure to:
- Explain why you are a good fit for the statistics position.
- Discuss how the position aligns with your career goals.
- Highlight your skills and qualifications.
- Explain that you have a strong background in mathematics, economics, computer science, or any related field.
- Remind the hiring manager of your relevant experience.
- Showcase your analytical skills.
- End the email with an invitation to contact you with questions.
Interview Tips for Statistics Professionals
If you want to work in statistics, you need to impress your interviewer. To do this, use these tips:
Interview Preparation
Always do research on an employer before accepting an invitation for an interview. Visit the employer's About page to see whether its management style and culture fit your preferred values. To ensure you accept interview invitations for jobs that lead to a fulfilling career, use these tips:
- Look over the job description several times to make sure you have all the necessary qualifications and skills.
- Practice interviews with a friend.
- Ask yourself if the offered salary meets your financial needs.
- Write down any questions you have about the job's perks, benefits, required skills, and duties.
Interview Process
It's a good idea to inquire about the interview's structure when you're approached for one. Much of the time, interview requests for statistician roles come through email, making it simple for you to ask about the interview's structure when responding. Understanding the format will boost your performance during the interview.
There are three basic types of interviews:
- General: The interviewer will ask general questions about your past work history, skills, and desire to work for the company.
- Competency-based: The interviewer asks questions that gauge both your prior experience and your prospective contributions to the role. You'll provide real-world answers to each question.
- Behavior-based: The interviewer will ask questions that assess your ability to deal with stress, how you conduct yourself in a professional environment, how well you get along with team members, and how your skills will help the employer. Use the STAR method to help you prepare for behavioral-based interviews.
To effectively prepare for interviews, use these commonly asked interview questions for data analysts and statisticians jobs:
- What does the term statistics mean to you?
- What is the difference between mean and median?
- What is the central limit theorem?
- What is the Pareto principle?
- What are outliers?
- What is the P value?
Interview Follow-Up
Sending a thank-you note after an interview is a great way to keep in touch with the interviewer. You can find the contact information for sending a thank-you message in the application instructions for the position you're interested in. The message should remind the recruiting manager of your interest in the position, emphasize your relevant experience and abilities, and encourage further communication. Always send the thank-you note within 24 to 48 hours after the interview.
Responding to a Job Offer
Don't respond to job offers right away unless you're absolutely sure everything aligns with what you discussed during the interview. Use these tips to ensure you accept an offer for a job that helps you achieve your career goals:
- Carefully read over the job offer several times, taking special note of the required duties.
- Ask yourself if you see yourself as content and happy in the position.
- Use credible sources to back you up when negotiating your salary.
Career Paths for Statistics Professionals
Numerous career options exist for those interested in a career in statistics. Three of the most popular roles that statisticians often fill are:
- Bioinformatics: build and manage repositories of biological data, conduct dynamic simulations and pattern analysis, and employ computational techniques for statistical analysis.
- Data scientist: gather information, sort it out, look for patterns, visualize that information, and present it to higher-ups.
- Director of clinical research: define the outcomes you expect from new clinical trials and spell out the fundamental steps you'll take to get there.
Statistics Jobs: Related Professions
Statisticians can find employment in just about any industry. Some of the most common related professions for those seeking statistics jobs are: