Biostatisticians earn a median of $105,650 per year ($50.79/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 11.0% through 2035, with about 1,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
- SOC 15-2041
- Computer and Mathematical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Biostatistician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $105,650a year, or $50.79/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $64KTop 10% $174K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +11.0%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+11%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +11% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,90031,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202531.3K
- Projected 203534.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 31.3K Projected 2035 34.7K - Typical education
- Master'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Bachelor's12.5%
- Master's58.3%
- Doctorate29.2%
Highest education held by biostatisticians Segment Value Bachelor's 12.5% Master's 58.3% Doctorate 29.2%
Also advertised as: Biometrician, Biostatistical Consultant, Biostatistician, Research Scientist, Statistical Scientist.
Pay
How much do Biostatisticians make?
Every biostatistician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$105,650
Middle half earn $82,220 to $141,490
- 10th
- $64,000
- 25th
- $82,220
- 75th
- $141,490
- 90th
- $174,050
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $64,000 |
| 25th | $82,220 |
| Median | $105,650 |
| 75th | $141,490 |
| 90th | $174,050 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $105,650
- Median hourly wage
- $50.79/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $115,700
- People employed
- 29,030
Versus all US occupations
At $105,650, Biostatisticians earn 107% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $54,670 a year.
Versus computer and mathematical occupations
Inside the Computer and Mathematical group, where the middle occupation pays $116,580, this is 9% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $174,050 or more while the bottom 10% earn $64,000, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 79% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $140,670, and still leads at $127,997 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Biostatisticians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $140,670 | $127,997 | 550 |
| 2New York | $136,020 | $126,037 | 1,220 |
| 3California | $135,960 | $122,796 | 2,480 |
| 4Maryland | $132,620 | $126,354 | 2,730 |
| 5Illinois | $119,760 | $119,810 | 480 |
| 6New Jersey | $118,280 | $108,708 | 880 |
| 7North Carolina | $115,690 | $122,649 | 1,200 |
| 8Georgia | $115,150 | $119,583 | 460 |
| 9Virginia | $114,920 | $113,665 | 720 |
| 10Kentucky | $112,520 | $124,802 | 80 |
Job outlook
Is Biostatistician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +11.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Biostatisticians | +11% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Biostatisticians to change 11.0% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.1× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 3,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,900 openings are projected each year, 6.1% of the 31,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of mathematicians and statisticians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of mathematicians and statisticians varies by occupation (see table).
Mathematicians will continue to be needed to analyze data, conduct research, and help to develop new products. Demand for these workers is somewhat tied to the federal government funding that is allocated for these positions.
Getting in
How to become a Biostatistician
Mathematicians and statisticians typically need at least a master’s degree in mathematics or statistics. However, some positions are available to those with a bachelor’s degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Master's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as biostatisticians.
- Master's Degree58.3%
- Doctoral Degree29.2%
- Bachelor's Degree12.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 58.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 29.2% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 12.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Biostatistician do?
Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.
Day-to-day tasks
- Draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses.
- Analyze clinical or survey data, using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed-effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model-building techniques.
- Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
- Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
- Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.
- Write program code to analyze data with statistical analysis software.
- Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues.
- Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most mathematicians and statisticians work full time. Deadlines and last-minute requests for data or analysis may require overtime. In addition, these workers may travel to attend seminars and conferences.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where biostatisticians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Federal government53%
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state12%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services12%
- Miscellaneous manufacturing3%
- Aerospace product and parts manufacturing3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Federal government | 53% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 12% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 12% |
| Miscellaneous manufacturing | 3% |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Mathematics4.6
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Science | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Programming3.4
- Instructing3.1
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Systems Evaluation3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Operations Analysis3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Programming | 3.4 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- File versioning software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Biostatistician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Biostatistician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 2 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Investigative7.0
- Conventional4.4
- Social3.1
- Artistic2.8
- Realistic2.4
- Enterprising2.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Biostatistician
O*NET related occupations
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Computer and Mathematical
- Computer and Mathematical
- Office and Administrative Support
More computer and mathematical careers
Median annual pay, with biostatisticians highlighted
- Software Developer$135,980
- Actuary$130,000
- Data Scientist$120,230
- Business Intelligence Analyst$120,230
- Biostatistician$105,650
- Database Administrator$104,620
- Web Designer$104,000
- Computer Programmer$100,390
- Web Developer$92,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,980 |
| Actuary | $130,000 |
| Data Scientist | $120,230 |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $120,230 |
| Biostatistician | $105,650 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Web Designer | $104,000 |
| Computer Programmer | $100,390 |
| Web Developer | $92,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Biostatistician appears on
Questions
Biostatistician: frequently asked questions
How much do Biostatisticians make?
Biostatisticians earn a median of $105,650 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 107% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $50.79/hr. The middle half earn between $82,220 and $141,490. The top 10% earn $174,050 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Biostatistician?
Yes. BLS reports a master's degree as the typical entry-level education for Biostatisticians, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 58.3% hold master's degree.
Is Biostatistician a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 11.0% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Biostatistician do?
Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems. A core O*NET task: draw conclusions or make predictions, based on data summaries or statistical analyses. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Data base management system software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Biostatisticians the most?
The highest state medians for Biostatisticians are District of Columbia ($140,670), New York ($136,020), California ($135,960) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Biostatistician?
O*NET scores Biostatisticians highest on the Investigative, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with INTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.