20 Best Jobs for Math Majors

Updated April 18, 2024

Two colleagues in a large office space look at calculations made on a writing board.

If you enjoy using mathematics and calculating numbers, studying math in college could help you land an impressive and well-paying job. As a math major, you can use the knowledge you have gained to find a valuable role working in finance, analytics or other research-related fields. In this article, we discuss why these are good jobs for math majors, the average salary and outlook for math jobs, skills you can gain from majoring in math and the best jobs for math majors, plus the average salaries and primary job duties of each.

Why are these good jobs for math majors?

Earning a degree in math helps students develop statistical and number-driven skills to help them thrive in various careers. As a math major, you can gain qualities such as problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical abilities, allowing you to use mathematical equations to better understand human behavior or the financial value of certain business products.Math majors often choose roles in the statistics, research and analytic fields. These industries allow them to use these critical thinking and data-driven abilities daily to solve problems as they appear throughout their role.Related: FAQ: What Can You Do With a Mathematics Degree? (With 6 Careers)

Math career average salary and outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for math careers was $98,680 in 2021. Overall employment in math occupations is expected to grow 29% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average of 5% for all occupations. That means about 82,000 new math-related jobs will be added to the U.S. workforce over the decade. Related: Average Salary for Math Majors

Skills gained from a math degree

People with a more sophisticated understanding of mathematics—be it numbers, statistics or the overall ability to solve complex problems—are typically highly regarded skill holders. Here are some common math skills you may learn as you work toward your bachelor's degree:

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Top 20 jobs for math majors

There are a variety of jobs available for math majors to pursue after graduation ranging from education to finance to the sciences. Below are 20 examples that link to national job searches as well as frequently updated salary averages on Indeed:

1. Meteorologist

National average salary: $55,519 per yearPrimary duties: Meteorologists determine weather conditions based on data from weather satellites and sensors. They also observe the land, sea and other atmospheric conditions to predict upcoming weather patterns accurately. Meteorologists also use computer model applicants and mathematical formulas to build their forecasts.Related: How To Become a Meteorologist

2. Mathematics teacher

National average salary: $52,953 per yearPrimary duties: Math teachers work in elementary, middle or high school academic institutions to teach students different mathematical subjects. Other responsibilities include creating lesson plans, establishing and assigning homework and preparing students for standardized testing.Related: How To Become a Math Teacher (Plus Salary and Job Duties)

3. Purchasing agent

National average salary: $56,804 per yearPrimary duties: A purchasing agent buys various goods and materials for companies to use, manufacture or resell for their business. They research and compare products from different suppliers to determine the best value for their company. Other responsibilities include taking inventory, negotiating product contracts and managing the overall delivery of goods.Read more: Learn About Being a Purchasing Agent

4. Accountant

National average salary: $59,606 per yearPrimary duties: Accountants review the financial records of a business and analyze financial reports, tax returns and other accounting data to ensure the company stays in solid financial status. They regularly run reports that monitor a company's spending and provide suggestions for improvements to help the company stay financially stable.Related: Learn About Being an Accountant

5. Budget analyst

National average salary: $71,656 per yearPrimary duties: Budget analysts review different budget proposals and decide how much a company can spend on various projects, services or products. They approve funding requests, build budgets with project managers, create cost-benefit analyses and monitor a company's overall spending. Read more: What Is a Budget Analyst? Duties, Salary and Qualifications

6. Insurance underwriter

National average salary: $98,311 per yearPrimary duties: An insurance underwriter evaluates applications for mortgages, insurance and loans to determine the risk factors of approving an applicant. They may conduct research, calculate potential risks and use different computer software programs to make their final decision.Related: Learn About Being an Underwriter

7. Data analyst

National average salary: $74,377 per yearPrimary duties: Data analysts use statistical tools and programs to gather and interpret data to help companies understand how well they're operating. They search for common trends and changes to help a business understand how to improve productivity and efficiency levels. Data analysts develop reports of these findings and present them to leadership.Related: Learn About Being a Data Analyst

8. Financial analyst

National average salary: $73,812 per yearPrimary duties: Financial analysts monitor, examine and forecast a company's financial status and recommend actions for leadership to improve it. They build financial models and cost analyses to ensure companies stay financially stable and productive. Financial analysts may also help companies make more money by recommending and maintaining investment plans.Read more: What Is a Financial Analyst? (And 5 Steps To Become One)

9. Cost estimator

National average salary: $82,321 per yearPrimary duties: Cost estimators project expenses for various projects or services a company hopes to spend money on. They work with clients and vendors to determine exact pricing and review project blueprints to accurately estimate each project's price and length of time. Cost estimators compile their research and information into expenditure statements and pitch their estimates to management.Related: What Does an Estimator Do? (And How To Become One)

10. Financial planner

National average salary: $76,263 per yearPrimary duties: A financial planner works with clients to help them better manage their money and develop an effective financial strategy. They help clients to set financial goals, assess potential financial risks and build their retirement and investment plans.Related: Learn About Being a Financial Planner

11. Investment analyst

National average salary: $84,337 per yearPrimary duties: Investment analysts review financial trends and data to help companies understand where to invest their money and how much to invest. Other responsibilities include monitoring stock and bond performances, reviewing' accounts for profit-and-loss information and providing management with financial reports that help them make investment decisions.Related: How To Become an Investment Analyst (With Job Duties and Salary)

12. Market researcher

National average salary: $78,645 per yearPrimary duties: A market researcher gathers and analyzes customer and competitor data to help a company develop goals and action items to target its audience better and outperform its competitors. Other responsibilities include designing surveys, building reports based on findings and staying up to date on changing market trends to regularly present to leadership teams. Related: What Does a Market Research Analyst Do? Duties and Skills

13. Software test engineer

National average salary: $97,689 per yearPrimary duties: A software test engineer conducts tests on various software programs to learn how well they operate and what they need to fix. They often develop new ways to test software programs using coding and programming languages accurately. Software test engineers can then record their results to determine the best way to fix the software or computer program.Related: How To Become a Software Testing Engineer

14. Statistician

National average salary: $86,547 per yearPrimary duties: Statisticians collect and analyze numerical data of various businesses by conducting surveys, polls and questionnaires. They clean and sort through data from these findings and determine relationships between each data set. Statisticians use these findings to define new strategies for company development and improvement.Related: How To Become a Statistician: Duties, Skills and Salary

15. Economist

National average salary: $111,940 per yearPrimary duties: Economists study ongoing activity in the financial market. They collect and examine socioeconomic and financial data to advise business and government organizations on economic decisions. Economists also use their research and analytical skills to provide businesses with accurate economic forecasts to help them make better future investments and other financial decisions.Related: What Does an Economist Do? (Plus Requirements To Become One)

16. Mathematician

National average salary: $111,102 per yearPrimary duties: Mathematicians use their advanced mathematical knowledge to create concepts or theories to solve common problems within various businesses. They analyze a company's data and use complex formulas and models to determine ways to improve a company's overall performance and efficiency levels. Mathematicians may work in government, engineering, science or business fields.Related: How To Become a Mathematician (Plus 6 Types of Jobs You Can Pursue)

17. Actuary

National average salary: $120,164 per yearPrimary duties: Actuaries work within the insurance industry to develop policies and decide the proper rates for certain premiums. They use data and statistics to estimate costs and the probability of accidents, illnesses or injuries. Actuaries also use their calculations to determine the outcomes of various policies and build charts to represent these findings.Related: Learn About Being an Actuary

18. Systems integration engineer

National average salary: $112,645 per yearPrimary duties: Systems integration engineers use electronic software and programs to develop and test engine control systems. They regularly build algorithms and develop prototypes to evaluate the systems' overall performance. Systems integration engineers also troubleshoot any technical issues and work to prevent them from reoccurring.Related: 12 Different Types of Software Engineers (With Salaries)

19. Data scientist

National average salary: $119,380 per yearPrimary duties: A data scientist takes raw data and inputs it into a format that is easier to understand. They can work for marketing companies, taking data and forming conclusions about a company's customers to target them better. Data scientists may also work in politics to make predictions about election results. Much of their training and experience lies in machine learning and programming software.Related: Learn About Being a Data Scientist

20. Physicist

National average salary: $151,580 per yearPrimary duties: Physicists are scientists who study matter and energy to better understand how the universe functions. They use advanced research skills and knowledge of the scientific method to conduct experiments and publish their conclusions in journals or other scholarly materials.Related: How to Become a Physicist

Frequently asked questions

What are the requirements for earning a math degree?

Colleges may require applicants to have an academic background in mathematics. Students in these programs often have excellent grades in high school math classes like algebra, geometry and calculus. They also usually have high scores in the math sections of standardized tests. Each school might have different admission requirements for you to enter a program to study math.

Where can you earn a degree in math?

Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in math. You might decide which school is best for you based on factors like the length of the program, the courses it offers and the cost of tuition. Consider researching the details of each school's math department to help you determine where to earn your degree.

What do you learn in a math degree?

Earning a math degree can teach you to understand numbers, equations and calculations. You may learn to form complex ideas and improve your arguments. A math degree might also help you develop your skills in critical analysis, problem-solving and logical reasoning.

Where can an individual with a math degree work?

An individual with a math degree might work in a government setting, where they collaborate with legislators and political scientists to analyze public data and identify trends. They can also work in a manufacturing plant as an engineer or with an insurance firm analyzing risk factors. Banks often have many career options for math specialists that allow them to calculate profitability and optimize financing.

What's the job outlook for a math degree?

The job outlook for professionals with math degrees is a high projection. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for mathematicians and statisticians might grow by 31% between 2021 and 2031. This rate is much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. Because of this projection, those with a degree in math might experience greater opportunities for employment.Related: 20 Jobs for Mathematics Degree Holders