Statistical Scientists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of statistical scientists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for statistical scientists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of statistical scientists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for statistical scientists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Statistical Scientists?
Do statistical scientists need a degree? What kind of experience do statistical scientists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for statistical scientists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Statistical Scientists
Jobs Postings for Statistical Scientists By Education
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 138 (36%)
- Master's degree: 123 (32%)
- Bachelor's degree: 116 (30%)
- No Education Listed: 6 (2%)
- High School or GED: 4 (1%)
A ph.d. or professional degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of statistical scientists. According to job data, a ph.d. or professional degree was required for 36% of positions. In 32% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 30% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Statistical Scientists
Jobs Postings for Statistical Scientists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 2 (33%)
- 2-3 Years: 2 (33%)
- 4-6 Years: 2 (33%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for statistical scientists. In 33% of job postings for Statistical Scientists, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 33% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 33% of job postings for statistical scientists.
What Kind of Degree Do Statistical Scientists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for statistical scientists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 14 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective statistical scientists, and in 2023 a total of 169,955 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective statistical scientists.
Top Degree Programs for Statistical Scientists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Statistical Scientists (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 61,109 |
| Mathematics, General. | 26,754 |
| Information Science/Studies. | 20,146 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other. | 19,243 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | 16,810 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Accounting. | 61,109 |
| Mathematics, General. | 26,754 |
| Information Science/Studies. | 20,146 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other. | 19,243 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | 16,810 |
| Statistics, General. | 8,285 |
| Business Statistics. | 4,902 |
| Biotechnology. | 3,714 |
| Informatics. | 2,793 |
| Actuarial Science. | 1,705 |
| Bioinformatics. | 1,245 |
| Biology/Biotechnology Technology/Technician. | 1,240 |
| Accounting and Business/Management. | 1,214 |
| Accounting and Related Services, Other. | 795 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Statistical Scientists
With an associate of science in business administration degree, you’ll dig into the functional areas of business and learn how to connect each function with the others to advance business goals and further outcomes while you prepare for a variety of roles in operations, sales, management and coordination.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 19
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Statistical Scientists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by statistical scientists to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for statistical scientists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Statistical Scientists
Based on 150 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Statistical Scientists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 141 | 94% |
| Data Analysis | 114 | 76% |
| Statistical Analysis | 104 | 69% |
| Data Mining | 103 | 69% |
| Data Structures | 103 | 69% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Statistical Scientists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Research | 145 | 97% |
| Innovation | 113 | 75% |
| Communication | 110 | 73% |
| Collaboration | 105 | 70% |
| Problem Solving | 105 | 70% |
Based on 150 job postings related to statistical scientists, statistics was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 94% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for data analysis, statistical analysis, data mining, data structures and software development were also highly sought.
As for common skills, research was the most desired skill found in job postings for statistical scientists, followed by innovation, communication, collaboration, problem solving and coordinating.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 141 | 94% |
| Data Analysis | 114 | 76% |
| Statistical Analysis | 104 | 69% |
| Data Mining | 103 | 69% |
| Data Structures | 103 | 69% |
| Software Development | 103 | 69% |
| Usability | 103 | 69% |
| SAS (Software) | 101 | 67% |
| Computer Programming | 100 | 67% |
| Python (Programming Language) | 100 | 67% |
| R (Programming Language) | 100 | 67% |
| C# (Programming Language) | 99 | 66% |
| Java (Programming Language) | 99 | 66% |
| Structured Programming | 99 | 66% |
| Version Control | 99 | 66% |
| Task Management | 97 | 65% |
| Data Science | 22 | 15% |
| Mathematical Statistics | 15 | 10% |
| Algebra | 12 | 8% |
| Biostatistics | 12 | 8% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Research | 145 | 97% |
| Innovation | 113 | 75% |
| Communication | 110 | 73% |
| Collaboration | 105 | 70% |
| Problem Solving | 105 | 70% |
| Coordinating | 103 | 69% |
| Dealing With Ambiguity | 103 | 69% |
| Mathematics | 30 | 20% |
| Teaching | 29 | 19% |
| Mentorship | 22 | 15% |
| Writing | 12 | 8% |
| English Language | 10 | 7% |
| Foreign Language | 8 | 5% |
| Curiosity | 7 | 5% |
| Microsoft Excel | 7 | 5% |
| Customer Service | 6 | 4% |
| Management | 6 | 4% |
| Leadership | 4 | 3% |
| Operations | 4 | 3% |
| Organizational Skills | 4 | 3% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about statistical scientists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for statistical scientists.
What do statistical scientists do?
How much do statistical scientists make?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.