Careers / Mathematicians

Mathematicians — Career Decision Dashboard

United States

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Median annual wage

$126,710

United States, 2025

Employment

2,030

United States, 2025

Typical education

Doctoral Degree

Job Zone 5

Skills identified

35

10 related careers

Career overview

Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

O*NET code
15-2021.00
Job zone
5
Experience required
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

Typical tasks

  • Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
  • Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
  • Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
  • Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
  • Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
  • Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
  • Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
  • Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.

Choose a location

Salary analysis — United States

$69,240
10th
$88,570
25th
$126,710
Median
$157,020
75th
$195,190
90th

10th percentile

$69,240

25th percentile

$88,570

75th percentile

$157,020

90th percentile

$195,190

Most important skills

  • Mathematics5.0
  • Critical Thinking4.1
  • Complex Problem Solving4.0
  • Reading Comprehension4.0
  • Active Learning4.0
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.8
  • Science3.6
  • Writing3.6
  • Active Listening3.4
  • Speaking3.3
  • Learning Strategies3.3
  • Systems Analysis3.0

What skills do you need?

Select the skills you already have

Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.

Skill coverage

0%

0 of 15 identified skills

Matched

0

Missing

15

Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.

Skills to develop

SkillImportanceRequired levelYour levelGap
Mathematics5.06.0Not selected6.0
Critical Thinking4.15.0Not selected5.0
Active Learning4.05.1Not selected5.1
Reading Comprehension4.05.0Not selected5.0
Complex Problem Solving4.04.9Not selected4.9
Writing3.64.6Not selected4.6
Science3.64.5Not selected4.5
Judgment and Decision Making3.84.0Not selected4.0
Active Listening3.44.0Not selected4.0
Speaking3.34.0Not selected4.0
Learning Strategies3.33.9Not selected3.9
Instructing3.03.9Not selected3.9
Systems Analysis3.03.8Not selected3.8
Systems Evaluation3.03.6Not selected3.6
Monitoring3.03.0Not selected3.0

Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.

Related careers

How salary varies by location

LocationMedianEmploymentYear
Seattle, WA$185,520702025
Washington, DC$164,4702002025
WA$162,2801002025
San Diego, CA$156,480402025
VA$148,0304002025
MD$131,8101602025
IL$130,970602025
Chicago, IL$130,970602025
NY$126,9501502025
CA$126,7102502025
New York, NY$113,5901502025
RI$109,2601002025
Providence, RI$109,2601002025
MA$104,190402025
Boston, MA$104,190402025
Las Vegas, NV$102,890402025
NV$102,890702025
IN$88,050402025
CO$86,020602025
MI$65,510902025
All locations with published data

Career transition paths

Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Mathematicians to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.

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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0.

Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).

Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.