Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Mathematicians work in a small, specialized occupation with a national median salary of $121,680 and total national employment of 2,000. The field shows a slight projected employment decline of -0.7%, and reported annual openings are 0, indicating that positions are limited and turnover may be low. Individuals considering this path should be prepared for a competitive environment where each role can be highly specialized. Successful mathematicians rely on strong mathematics abilities supported by critical and analytical thinking, creativity and innovation, and problem solving and decision making. They also draw on science knowledge, computers and information technology, and clear writing and reading, along with speaking and listening skills. Detail orientation and adaptability help them handle complex, evolving work. A master’s degree is the typical educational path into this occupation, so it is especially relevant for students and professionals who are committed to advanced study and a focused, high-skill career track.
Mathematicians earn a national median annual salary of $121,680, indicating strong earning potential for a career that typically requires a master’s degree. Pay varies notably across locations. Among top states, median salaries range from $86,020 in Colorado to $162,280 in Washington. In California and New York, median pay is similar at $126,710 and $126,950, while Massachusetts reports $104,190. At the metro level, salaries span from $104,190 in Boston-Cambridge-Newton to $185,520 in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area shows a median of $164,470, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin offers $130,970. These differences show that location can significantly influence income, even within the same occupation. For individuals evaluating this path, reviewing both state and metro salaries can help align career decisions with financial goals, especially when combined with local employment levels and opportunity scores.
Mathematicians have national employment of 2,000 and a projected employment growth rate of -0.7%. Reported annual openings are 0. Together, these indicators suggest a small profession with limited expansion and relatively few new opportunities expected over the projection period. The uniform projected growth rate of -0.7% appears across the highlighted states and metro areas as well, pointing to broadly consistent expectations rather than region-specific growth differences within this dataset. Because the field is both small and slightly declining in projected employment, individuals pursuing this career may want to plan for careful, targeted job searches and potentially longer timelines to secure roles. The combination of advanced education requirements and modest projected change in employment emphasizes the importance of building the listed core skills—such as mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving—to remain competitive for the positions that are available.
Location plays a major role in the landscape for mathematicians. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York stand out with the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, at 67.38, 65.87, and 65.78, respectively. California has the largest employment among these at 250, followed by New York with 150 and Massachusetts with 40. Washington shows a higher median salary of $162,280 and employment of 100, but a lower opportunity score of 56.29 than California, Massachusetts, and New York. Colorado’s median salary of $86,020 is lower than the other highlighted states and it has an opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area leads with an opportunity score of 77.27, along with a median salary of $113,590 and employment of 150. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro offers a higher median salary of $164,470 and employment of 200 with an opportunity score of 64.47. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue shows the highest listed metro salary at $185,520, with an opportunity score of 61.92. These figures illustrate meaningful differences in both pay and opportunity by region.
Mathematicians typically need a master’s degree, indicating that this career is oriented toward individuals prepared for graduate-level study in mathematics or closely related areas. The educational path supports a deep foundation in mathematics, which is the core skill for this occupation. The broader skill profile highlights the need to pair that mathematical strength with critical and analytical thinking, creativity and innovation, and problem solving and decision making. Science knowledge and comfort with computers and information technology also contribute to the role, suggesting that advanced study may integrate quantitative and technical components. Education for this field benefits from strong writing and reading, as well as speaking and listening skills, which support communication of complex ideas. Detail orientation and adaptability are also important, helping professionals manage precise, complex work and adjust as requirements or problems change. Individuals considering this path should be ready for rigorous advanced education that develops both technical and general analytical skills.
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