What Do Statisticians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Statisticians develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as bio-statistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians. They also analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.

Other tasks include:

• Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
• Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
• Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
• Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.
• Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
• Design research projects that apply valid scientific techniques and use information obtained from baselines or historical data to structure uncompromised and efficient analyses.

We asked Statisticians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 69% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Statisticians analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information. They determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.

A typical day for a Statistician will also include:

• Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.
• Process large amounts of data for statistical modeling and graphic analysis, using computers.
• Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
• Adapt statistical methods to solve specific problems in many fields, such as economics, biology, and engineering.
• Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.

We asked some Statisticians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	36% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	24% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	44% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	8% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Statisticians also prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data. They may also evaluate sources of information to determine any limitations, in terms of reliability or usability.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Statisticians Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research. They might also Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.

In addition, they Design research projects that apply valid scientific techniques and use information obtained from baselines or historical data to structure uncompromised and efficient analyses.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.

To some Statisticians, it is also their responsibility to Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Statistician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/math/statisticians.htm

http://www.amstat.org/