Occupation

Mathematicians

Human Advantage 64%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.9 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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.

Also Known As: Algebraist, Applied Mathematician, Cipher Expert, Computational Mathematician, Computational Scientist, Cryptanalyst, Cryptographer, Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst +10 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
  2. Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
  3. Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
  4. Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
  5. Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.
  6. Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
  7. Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
  8. Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
  9. Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
  10. Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Mentor others on mathematical techniques.

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Doctoral Degree
50%
Master's Degree
25%
Bachelor's Degree
8%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
8%
Post-Doctoral Training
8%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Apple macOS
  • Bash
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • JavaScript
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Visual Studio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • MySQL
  • Oracle Java
  • PHP
  • Perl
  • Python
  • R
  • SAS
  • Salesforce software
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Tableau
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX

Software (90)

  • AMPL
  • ARfit
  • Algae
  • Analyse-it
  • Analysis and Visualization of Time Sequences AVTS
  • Apfloat
  • Apple Shazam
  • Aptech Systems GAUSS
  • Aztec
  • Computer Algebra System for Algebraic Geometry CASA
  • DSP Development DADiSP
  • Data visualization software
  • DataDescription DataDesk
  • DifEqu
  • Discrete Dynamics Lab DDLab
  • EleSoft Research
  • Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
  • GNU Octave
  • Geomview
  • GraphPad Software GraphPad Prism
  • Graphics Programming Environment GRAPE
  • IBM SPSS Amos
  • Insightful S-PLUS
  • Interactive Mathematical Proof System IMPS
  • JACAL
  • KANT
  • KSEG
  • LINDO Systems LINDO API
  • MacKichan Software Scientific WorkPlace
  • Magma Design Automation software
  • Maplesoft Maple
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • Maxima Software
  • Maximal Software MPL Modeling System
  • MicroPress VTeX
  • Microsoft operating system
  • Minitab
  • ModelKinetix ModelMaker
  • Multipath Corporation Fast Matrix Solver FMS
  • Numeritek NUMERICA
  • Object oriented development environment software
  • PARI/GP
  • Polymath Software POLYMATH
  • Provalis Research Simstat
  • STATISTICA
  • Sage Accounting Software
  • StataCorp Stata
  • SuperANOVA
  • Symmetrica
  • Systat Software SigmaPlot
  • The MathWizards MathViews
  • UNISTAT Statistical Package
  • User interface design software
  • Vormetric Application Encryption
  • Web browser software
  • Web server software
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica

Tools & Equipment (7)

  • Desktop computers
  • Graphing calculators
  • Laptop computers
  • Optical disk drives
  • Personal computers
  • Supercomputers
  • Universal serial bus USB flash drives

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Biotechnology Research & Development Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 5
Mathematicians You are here

Business Information Management Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 5
Mathematicians You are here

Data Science & AI Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Zone 5
Mathematicians You are here

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Real Talk

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