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Statistical Assistants

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

Compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries. Includes actuarial clerks.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $50,330 Median per year · $24.20/hr Most earn $35,990–$81,990

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Send out surveys.
  • Check survey responses for errors, such as the use of pens instead of pencils, and set aside response forms that cannot be used.
  • Check source data to verify completeness and accuracy.
  • Present results of statistical analyses to stakeholders.
  • Compile statistics from source materials, such as production or sales records, quality-control or test records, time sheets, or survey sheets.
  • Present results of statistical analyses to stakeholders.

Job outlook

United States
2% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 500 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools18.2%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service9.2%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals8.2%
  • Direct insurance (except life, health, and medical) carriers6.1%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services4.5%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Statistical Assistants usually need a bachelor's degree and about 1 to 2 years of related work before they land this job, so it's not normally a straight-out-of-school role. Most people build experience in data or research work first, then move into this career.

  1. Bachelor's degree in statistics, math, economics, or a related field

    4 years

    You learn probability, data analysis, and how to use statistical software, which is the base for every later step.

  2. Research Assistant

    1-2 years

    You help collect, clean, and compute data for studies, which gives you hands-on practice with statistical formulas and real datasets.

  3. Statistical Assistant

    Ongoing

    You compile and compute data for statistical studies, and may do actuarial calculations and build charts and graphs for actuaries.

Where it can lead

  1. Statistician

    1-2 years of experience first

    You design studies and choose the right statistical methods yourself instead of mainly running calculations for others; this role usually requires a master's degree.

  2. Business Intelligence Analyst

    2-4 years of experience first

    You turn company data into reports and dashboards that guide business decisions, which means stronger database and business communication skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take the highest math classes you can, including statistics if offeredStrong math, especially algebra and any stats or probability course, builds the foundation for every later step.
  • Learn spreadsheetsPracticing formulas, sorting, and charts in Excel or Google Sheets prepares you for the daily work of compiling and computing data.
  • Join a math, robotics, or science clubTeams that analyze data or compete in math contests give you practice solving problems with numbers and explaining results.
  • Get a starter job or volunteer roleTutoring, retail cash handling, or helping with a community survey builds comfort with numbers and records, and looks good on applications later.
  • Explore intro codingBasic Python or R lessons, often free online or through a school class, will help you use the software common in statistical work.

In college

  • Major in statistics, math, or economicsThese majors cover the formulas and data methods that Statistical Assistants use every day.
  • Take courses in programming and databasesLearning R, Python, or SQL makes you more useful to employers who need someone to compute and organize data quickly.
  • Apply for a research assistant job on campusWorking with a professor or lab on real data gives you the one to two years of related experience employers often ask for.
  • Get an internship at a company, insurance firm, or research organizationInternships show you how data is used in real work settings and can lead directly to a job offer.
  • Join a data or statistics student groupClubs and competitions help you build skills, meet people in the field, and learn about job openings.

Tips for getting started

  • Get comfortable with a statistics tool such as R, Python, SAS, or Excel. Job ads for this kind of work often list them, and you can practice on free public datasets.
  • Look for part-time or summer jobs that involve data entry, survey work, or research help. Even small roles count toward the 1 to 2 years of experience employers look for.
  • Keep a small portfolio of projects where you cleaned data, made charts, and explained what they showed. It gives interviewers something concrete to review.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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