Mathematicians
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Mathematicians: Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve or direct solutions to problems in various fields by mathematical methods.
Mathematicians held about 2,500 jobs in 2004. Many people with mathematical backgrounds also worked in other occupations. For example, about 53,000 persons held positions as postsecondary mathematical science teachers in 2004.
Many mathematicians work for Federal or State governments. The U.S. Department of Defense is the primary Federal employer, accounting for about three-fourths of the mathematicians employed by the Federal Government. Many of the other mathematicians employed by the Federal Government work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the private sector, major employers include scientific research and development services and management, scientific, and technical consulting services. Some mathematicians also work for software publishers, insurance companies, and in aerospace or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Median annual earnings of mathematicians were $81,240 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $60,050 and $101,360. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $43,160, while the highest 10 percent earned over $120,900.
In early 2005, the average annual salary for mathematicians employed by the Federal Government in supervisory, nonsupervisory, and managerial positions was $88,194; that for mathematical statisticians was $91,446; and for cryptanalysts the average was $70,774.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mathematicians)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Mathematicians | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $75,310 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,970 | $59,800 | $74,680 | $89,380 | $106,180 |
| Information employment: 70 mean earnings: $63,020 (EC) (def) (IG) | $29,440 | $36,370 | $51,240 | $82,230 | $118,380 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 70 mean earnings: $63,020 | $29,440 | $36,370 | $51,240 | $82,230 | $118,380 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 40 mean earnings: $80,930 (EC) (def) (IG) | $55,870 | $64,140 | $76,120 | $95,320 | $118,700 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 30 mean earnings: $81,660 | $58,790 | $66,010 | $79,220 | $94,130 | $115,660 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 1,080 mean earnings: $89,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $48,760 | $71,040 | $87,460 | $107,780 | $131,550 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 1,080 mean earnings: $89,530 | $48,760 | $71,040 | $87,460 | $107,780 | $131,550 |
| Educational Services employment: 360 mean earnings: $52,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,270 | $40,580 | $49,890 | $59,210 | $72,290 |
| Educational Services employment: n.a. mean earnings: $52,490 | $33,270 | $40,580 | $49,890 | $59,210 | $72,290 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 1,260 mean earnings: $83,710 (def) (IG) | $45,000 | $64,620 | $84,720 | $105,100 | $123,200 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 1,260 mean earnings: $83,710 | $45,000 | $64,620 | $84,720 | $105,100 | $123,200 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.