How to Become a Statistician

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Do you have an interest in analyzing and interpreting data to formulate conclusions? A career as a statistician may be a good fit. You will formulate your own methods and use existing techniques to segment data and more. 

Wondering how to get started? Benzinga’s got you covered with this detailed guide on how to become a statistician. 

Statistician Overview

What types of tasks do statisticians complete daily? How much are they compensated? 

These are viable questions to ponder as you decide whether you want to work as a professional statistician.

Job Description

Statisticians leverage statistical techniques to formulate solutions to real-world problems. The top industries that employ statisticians are: 

• The federal government
• Healthcare and social assistant services
• Insurance carriers
• Colleges and universities
• Research and development entities in physical, engineering and life sciences

Your specific roles and responsibilities will depend on your employer and the industry you work in. Expect to create experiments, opinion polls and surveys to gather data. You will also create statistical models to analyze data, reach conclusions and share your findings with key members of leadership and decision-makers. 

Salary Information

In May of 2019, the median annual wage for statisticians was $91,160, notes the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Here’s how the salary breaks down by industry: 

• The federal government: $106,670
• Healthcare and social assistant services: $80,920 
• Insurance carriers: $88,040
• Colleges and universities: $74,370
• Research and development entities in physical, engineering and life sciences: $102,500

Education Requirements

Some employers will hire candidates with bachelor’s degrees in mathematics, computer science, economics or a similar field. 

However, most prefer a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics to qualify for statistician roles. If you’re ambitious enough to pursue a doctoral degree, you could land a job as a statistics professor at a college or university. 

Job Outlook

The future is bright for aspiring statisticians. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of statisticians is slated to grow 31% by 2028. This figure is 26% higher than the average growth rate for all occupations.  

Steps to Becoming a Statistician

Take these steps to become a statistician. 

The first step you can take toward becoming a statistician is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in math or a related field. 

You want a college or institution that’s accredited and offers statistics courses. It’s also ideal if you can specialize in statistics or choose from a pool of courses on the topic to advance your knowledge. A degree completion program in mathematics is also ideal if you already have college credits. 

Also, pay attention to the job placement rates for recent graduates. The higher the percentage, the stronger your odds are for securing employment immediately following graduation. 

Don’t forget to review the schedule for tuition and fees. The cost of attendance between your top options should be comparable. Otherwise, you will spend far more than you have to achieve the same end result. 

Take an Online Course

Online statistics courses are an ideal way to enhance what you’re learning in your degree program. You can also acquire knowledge that teaches you how to solve challenging problems from a unique perspective. 

There are several courses to choose from and they cost a fraction of what you’ll spend in a 4-year or graduate degree program. 

If you want to qualify for highly rewarding statistician roles, consider a master’s degree. It’s not mandatory to earn this degree to enter the workforce but it gives you an advantage against the competition. 

Best Universities for Becoming a Statistician

These online degree programs are a worthwhile investment of your time and money if you want to become a statistician. 

1. Indiana University 

Consider an online Bachelor of Science in mathematics degree from Indiana University to prepare for a career as a statistician. Students take core courses on many vital subjects, including calculus, linear algebra, mathematical modeling, modern algebra and real analysis. You can also specialize your degree by choosing the economics, finance or probability track. Walk away with the tools to efficiently analyze data and apply logic to solve math problems. 

Learn more. 

2. American Public University 

American Public University offers an online Bachelor of Science in mathematics. It’s ideal for aspiring statisticians and individuals who are considering a graduate degree program. Students complete a series of core mathematics courses. 

You’ll also have the option to select a concentration to enhance your degree. Choose from the statistics, applied mathematics, data science or operations research track. You’ll know how to use mathematical techniques as you solve problems. You’ll also have the knowledge and skills to apply both qualitative and quantitative methods to solve real-world problems. 

Learn more. 

Courses Related to Becoming a Statistician

These online courses simplify challenging statistics and probability concepts.

Source: Udemy

New to statistics? This beginner course from Udemy provides foundational knowledge you need to navigate complex statistical concepts introduced in the classroom. Beginner Statistics for Data Analytics – Learn the Easy Way! is comprised of 5 core segments: 

• The Fundamentals of Statistics
• A Deeper Dive into Descriptive Statistics
• Inferential Statistics and Estimates
• Introduction to Regression Analysis
• Creating and Understanding a Regression 

The enrollment fee of $44.99 includes full lifetime access to 3 hours of on-demand video lectures and 3 downloadable resources. The class is presented by Wisdify, an online training platform. 

Enroll now. 

2. Become a Probability and Statistics Master 

Become a Probability and Statistics Master will take you from novice to subject-matter expert in record time. Math whiz Krista King dives into data visualization, analysis and distribution, probability, sampling, hypothesis testing regression and more. Register today to unlock 118 lectures, 63 articles and 109 downloadable resources. A seat in this course is $74.99 and you will receive a certificate of completion when you reach the finish line. 

Enroll now. 

Prepare for a Career as a Statistician

Benzinga wants to help you meet your career goal of becoming a statistician. Check out our list of recommended courses and degree programs and analyze options that pique your interest. Select the top options and take the first step toward pursuing your dream career. 

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