A degree in math can provide you with many lucrative career options. Mathematics is a broad field that cuts across multiple disciplines. Organizations use the computed and analyzed data derived from their concepts, models, and tools to make decisions. You will find the best jobs for math majors in business and financial services, science, and technology-related industries.
What Is a Math Major?
A math major is a focused field of study around the concepts, practices, rules, theories, models, methods, and tools in mathematics. Graduates from math programs, also called mathematicians, can use data derived through logical and formula computations to solve abstract or real-world problems.
Mathematicians apply fundamental and advanced concepts, techniques, and theories such as set theory, numbers theory, induction and deduction, combinatorics, financial theory, linear algebra, general relativity, probability, and theoretical mathematics to establish relationships between variables and solve complex issues in a variety of fields.
How to Become a Mathematician: Math Education Options
A career in mathematics can be a very rewarding one. There are several educational options and degrees in math available to those who are interested in building a career or specializing in mathematics or a math-related field. These education paths can teach you a wide variety of analytical methods and critical thinking skills.
Math Bootcamp
Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in a pure or applied math field, a math bootcamp can help you get there faster. For instance, mathematics for machine learning helps you combine skills from applied mathematics, statistics, and computer science in designing artificial intelligence systems.
Best Math Bootcamps
- Stacksocial: Math Bootcamp for Engineering
- ARPM: Math Bootcamp for Financial Analytics
- Galvanize: Applied Math Bootcamp with Python
- MathBootCamp: Free Math Bootcamp for Beginners
- Simplilearn: Machine Learning
Math Associate Degree
An Associate Degree in Mathematics ensures you have the prerequisite knowledge and qualification necessary to pursue a four-year degree. You can go on to study pure or applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, information systems, actuarial and quantitative analysis, to name a few.
Best Associate Degree Programs in Math
- Monroe Community College: Associate of Science Mathematics (Transfer Program)
- Douglas College: Associate of Science in Mathematics
- Liberty Online University: Associate of Science in STEM Mathematics
- Western Wyoming Community College: Associate of Science in Mathematics
- College of San Mateo: Associate of Science in Mathematics
Math Bachelor’s Degree
An undergraduate math degree is a bedrock for a fulfilling career in any computational field. This degree helps you specialize in a wide range of branches including general, pure, or applied mathematics. Careers such as software engineering, machine learning, quantitative analytics, all begin with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Math
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics
- Stanford University: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
- Harvard University: Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics
- Yale University: Bachelor of Arts or Science in Mathematics
- University of Chicago: Bachelor of Arts or Science in Mathematics
Math Master’s Degree
A Master’s Degree in Mathematics can range from 10 months to four years, depending on how broad and diverse the curriculum is. This program is offered to students with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics or related subjects such as computer science or statistics. A Master’s Degree in Mathematics increases your chances of securing good jobs in the math job market.
Best Master’s Degree Programs in Math
- University of Manchester: Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics
- University of Oxford: Master’s Degree in Mathematics
- University of Calgary: Master’s Degree in Mathematics
- University of Memphis: Master’s Degree in Math Sciences
- Northeastern University: Master’s Degree in Mathematics
Math Career Overview: Is a Math Career Worth It?
Math Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for mathematicians and statisticians between 2020 and 2030 is 33 percent greater than the average career, during which 15,000 more jobs will be made available. Mathematical science roles have a projected growth of 28 percent during this period.
Math Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that the annual salary for mathematics and statistics professionals with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics or a mathematics-related discipline is $93,290. Mathematicians earn a median salary of $110,860, and statisticians earn an average of $92,270.
Several other careers also make use of math degrees, and they vary depending on your other experience and personal goals. For example, according to PayScale, mathematics teachers earn $51,145 per year. PayScale also reports that the average salary for accountants is $51,872. Math majors can also become risk analysts, budget analysts, or investment analysts.
Best Jobs for Math Majors: What Can You Do with a Math Degree?
There are numerous jobs available to math graduates. Mathematical skills can be applied to virtually any field as long as there is a need for numerical analysis. We gathered a few of the best coding bootcamps, schools, and common math occupations that require math majors to give you a head start.
Best Math Jobs for Coding Bootcamp Grads
| Job Title | Recommended Bootcamp | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | Flatiron School | $164,500 |
| Software Engineer | Hack Reactor | $138,500 |
| Software Developer | Coding Dojo | $124,000 |
| Web Developer | CareerFoundry | $115,000 |
| Data Analyst | Thinkful | $103,000 |
Data Scientist
- Average Salary: $119,413
- Job Outlook: 22 percent
A Flatiron School data science program will enable you to combine mathematical, statistical, and scientific processes, models, and methods needed to extract valuable information from unstructured and structured data. Data science requires extensive work with numbers, so if you enjoy math, you should enter this field.
Software Engineer
- Average Salary: $99,729
- Job Outlook: 22 percent*
The Software Engineering program at Hack Reactor helps you apply mathematical concepts and theories such as logic, number theory, calculus, algebra, probability, and statistics in writing codes and scripts. Software engineers, just like software developers, have a 22 percent growth based on the review by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Software Developer
- Average Salary: $86,523
- Job Outlook: 22 percent*
According to the BLS, software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers have a growth rate of 22 percent between 2020 to 2030. Within this period, there will be an increase of 409,500 jobs for professionals in this field. A bootcamp like Coding Dojo will enable you to employ mathematical logic and algorithms in developing software applications. To learn more about this school, take a look at our Coding Dojo review.
Web Developer
- Average Salary: $75,073
- Job Outlook: 13 percent
Web developers and digital designers have a growth capacity of 13 percent between 2020 and 2030. Through a web development-focused program like the one offered by CareerFoundry, you can gain a firm grasp of the mathematical methods such as arithmetics and algebra used in designing reliable and scalable web and mobile applications.
Data Analyst
- Average Salary: $67,294
- Job Outlook: 22 percent
Data analysts are grouped under the market research analyst field by the BLS, and they have a growth rate of 22 percent. This field relies on mathematical computations and statistical analysis to make sense of complex data. A bootcamp like Thinkful will ensure you are exposed to the right tools necessary to make it in this field.
*Job outlook for these positions was both sourced from BLS information on software developers.
Best Jobs for Math Associate Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Engineer | Vaughn College | $136,000 |
| Real Estate Appraiser | Mesa Community College | $108,500 |
| Math Teacher | Queensborough Community College | $65,000 |
| Marketing Research Associate | Houston Community College | $61,500 |
| Junior Accountant | Community College of Philadelphia | $60,000 |
Flight Engineer
- Average Salary: $80,790
- Job Outlook: 7 percent
Flight engineers work in the mechanical engineer industry as experts in operating, testing, and maintaining airline machines and tools. Based on the projections by the BLS, the vacancies for flight engineers and other mechanical engineers will grow by 20,900 new jobs. This field is ideal for math majors as it uses analytical and problem-solving skills.
Real Estate Appraiser
- Average Salary: $84,827
- Job Outlook: 4 percent
Real estate appraisers evaluate the monetary value of residential properties, as well as sell and maintain these properties. An appraisal cannot happen without the use of mathematical methods and tools to arrive at a definitive value. Therefore, real estate appraisal is a good alternative career path for math majors who do not wish to further their education.
Math Teacher
- Average Salary: $44,439
- Job Outlook: 8 percent
A math major can easily become a high school math teacher. According to the BLS, the occupational outlook for the mathematical field is around eight percent, which is about average. With some extra education to get teaching credentials, this career is one of the best careers for math majors with a strong background in communication.
Market Research Associate
- Average Salary: $40,224
- Job Outlook: 22 percent*
Although marketing research is more of a statistical field, it also embodies mathematical concepts and practices. This field can be a good substitute for math majors who do not wish to pursue an advanced degree in mathematics. The outlook for market researchers is also encouraging at 22 percent, based on the review from the BLS.
Junior Accountant
- Average Salary: $47,196
- Job Outlook: 7 percent
Accounting is a numerical field that involves analyzing financial records and preparing reports needed to make financial decisions. Math majors can find this field a viable alternative to theirs. It helps them mimic the computations and analyses that mathematicians perform. It also helps that the BLS projects a seven percent job outlook between 2020 and 2030.
*Job outlook for this position was sourced from BLS information on market research analysts.
Best Jobs for Math Bachelor’s Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Actuary | London School of Economics | $175,000 |
| Operations Research Analyst | UC Berkeley | $132,500 |
| Systems Analyst | University of Limerick | $119,500 |
| Computer Programmer | Stanford University | $94,500 |
| Financial Analyst | Sunway University | $89,500 |
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Actuary
- Average Salary: $122,402
- Job Outlook: 24 percent
An undergraduate degree in a major like actuarial science will ensure you can apply the mathematical and statistical skills necessary to solve complex problems in any economic sphere. This includes insurance companies, government agencies, and other commercial industries. The high job outlook shows that this is a great career choice.
Operations Research Analyst
- Average Salary: $87,744
- Job Outlook: 25 percent
Operations research analysts use statistical analysis, predictive modeling, applied mathematics, simulations, and other methods to solve practical problems. This field has a high growth outlook of 25 percent, according to the BLS. It is ideal for math majors who want to broaden their analytical skills as well as their math skills.
Systems Analyst
- Average Salary: $82,901
- Job Outlook: 7 percent
Computer systems analysis is an interdisciplinary study that combines computer design, network analysis, organization, operating systems, and database management. This is an ideal math-related field for technology enthusiasts who want to apply the theoretical aspects of a mathematics degree to the design and development of computer systems.
Computer Programmer
- Average Salary: $65,142
- Job Outlook: -10 percent
Computer programming, which relies on a computer science degree, requires advanced knowledge of mathematics because of the major computations in this field. However, the review by the BLS suggests a decline in the growth potential of computer programmers because of the rise of other more specified jobs.
Financial Analyst
- Average Salary: $67,900
- Job Outlook: 6 percent
Financial analysis is the assessment of business performance, stock market trends, and investment portfolios using mathematical models and processes. The results provide users with the necessary financial information to make business decisions. Being a financial or business analyst is a good career as it lets you apply your math skills to real-time challenges.
Best Jobs for Math Master’s Degree Majors
| Job Title | Recommended School | Top 10% Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cryptographer | London Metropolitan University | $180,500 |
| Economist | Ohio University | $180,000 |
| Machine Learning Engineer | University College London (UCL) | $179,000 |
| Quantitative Analyst | American University | $169,500 |
| Mathematician | University of Hull | $135,000 |
Cryptographer
- Average Salary: $145,365
- Job Outlook: 33 percent
A master’s program in cryptography provides you with advanced knowledge of mathematical theory, computer science, and information security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups cryptographers under the information and security analysts with an outlook of 33 percent. This field is projected to grow by 47,100 new jobs between 2020 and 2030.
Economist
- Average Salary: $108,350
- Job Outlook: 13 percent
Economics is a math-based field that improves your critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication effectiveness in solving economic issues. As a math major, you will find this field both challenging and fulfilling. The occupational outlook for this field shows that regardless of how complex it is, it will continue to grow because it will always be essential in the economy.
Machine Learning Engineer
- Average Salary: $130,530
- Job Outlook: 22 percent*
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that uses applied mathematics and computer engineering in designing self-directing systems that have shorter life cycles and higher processing capacities. It is grouped under software developers with a job outlook of 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Quantitative Analyst
- Average Salary: $118,652
- Job Outlook: 6 percent**
Quantitative analysis is an advanced mathematics and statistics discipline that involves analyzing business data to provide information for decision-making and strategy development. Because it relies on mathematical principles and models, it is an ideal career path for math majors.
Mathematician
- Average Salary: $110,860
- Job Outlook: 3 percent
An advanced degree in mathematics can be applied to several careers and job roles. Its flexibility will ensure it stays relevant in years to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts it will introduce 15,000 new jobs within 2020 to 2030. Experts in this field can take advantage of the diversity and flexibility of the mathematics discipline by making sure they can fit into any job.
*Job outlook for this position was sourced from BLS information on software developers.
*Job outlook for this position was sourced from BLS information on financial analysts.
Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Mathematics
- Enter a math program. To get a job in mathematics, you have to study a math major. This is the most logical way to understand and improve on the complexities in this field.
- Diversify your knowledge. Don’t limit your expertise to just mathematics. Expand your knowledge by including a minor related to math but still unique as part of your program.
- Apply for math-oriented jobs. Apply for jobs with the highest needs for mathematical computation and analysis, especially in artificial intelligence and fintech fields.
The duty of a mathematician will always remain a key role in the industry. Mathematics is both a science and an art field, which means mathematicians and related professionals can stay relevant by applying their mathematical thinking patterns in solving real-life problems. Now is the time to get one of the best jobs for math majors.
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