Mathematicians
Computer and Mathematical
Much of the day is spent working with numbers and symbols—assembling a set of assumptions, exploring what follows from them, and running computations or numerical analysis when the problem needs it. The research side means looking for new principles or new links between existing ones, often in areas such as algebra, geometry, probability, or logic. Staying current is part of the job: reading journals, talking with other mathematicians, and going to conferences. Findings are written up as reports or papers and presented to others; mentoring people on techniques is common too. It suits people who like abstract reasoning, written argument, and long stretches of focused problem-solving.
Typical education: Doctoral Degree (Ph.D., Ed.D.)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$126'710
Median Wage Market Position
$126'710
What you might do
- Extend knowledge in algebra, geometry, and logic
- Develop new principles and how they connect
- Trace what each set of assumptions implies
- Compute with numerical methods on real data
- Share results in papers and conference talks
- Coach others in mathematical techniques
Skills that matter
- Developing new mathematical principles
- Exploring consequences of assumed conditions
- Applying numerical analysis to data
- Writing and publishing research papers
- Mentoring others on mathematical techniques
- Keeping current through journals and conferences
AI & the future of this role
Symbolic solvers and code assistants may absorb routine proofs, modeling, and calculation that once filled much of the day. Novel problem framing, cross-field judgment, and research taste still matter, though demand for purely computational roles could soften.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details