Mathematicians

Mathematicians Earnings

Median annual earnings of mathematicians were $76,470 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $56,160 and $91,520. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $38,930, while the highest 10 percent earned over $112,780.

According to a 2003 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, starting salary offers averaged $40,512 a year for mathematics graduates with a bachelor's degree, and $42,348 for those with a master's degree. Doctoral degree candidates averaged $55,485.

In early 2003, the average annual salary for mathematicians employed by the Federal Government in supervisory, nonsupervisory, and managerial positions was $80,877; that for mathematical statisticians was $83,472; and for cryptanalysts, the average was $78,662.

Mathematicians Nature of Work

Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. The work of mathematicians falls into two broad classes — theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. These classes, however, are not sharply defined, and often overlap.

Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although these workers seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, such pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty, and divide their time between teaching and conducting research. (See the statement on teachers—postsecondary, elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Applied mathematicians, on the other hand, use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, and engineering, and in the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the most efficient way to schedule airline routes between cities, the effect and safety of new drugs, the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental automobile, or the cost-effectiveness of alternative manufacturing processes. Applied mathematicians working in industrial research and development may develop or enhance mathematical methods when solving a difficult problem. Some mathematicians, called cryptanalysts, analyze and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law enforcement-related information in code.

Applied mathematicians start with a practical problem, envision the separate elements of the process under consideration, and then reduce the elements to mathematical variables. They often use computers to analyze relationships among the variables and solve complex problems by developing models with alternative solutions.

Much of the work in applied mathematics is done by individuals with titles other than mathematician. In fact, because mathematics is the foundation upon which so many other academic disciplines are built, the number of workers using mathematical techniques is much greater than the number formally designated as mathematicians. For example, engineers, computer scientists, physicists, and economists are among those who use mathematics extensively. Some professionals, including statisticians, actuaries, and operations research analysts, actually are specialists in a particular branch of mathematics. Frequently, applied mathematicians are required to collaborate with other workers in their organizations to achieve common solutions to problems. (For more information, see the statements on actuaries, operations research analysts, and statisticians elsewhere in the Handbook.)

.

Mathematicians Job Outlook

Competition is keen for the limited number of jobs as mathematicians. Employment of mathematicians is expected to decline through 2012, reflecting the decline in the number of jobs with the title mathematician. However, master's and Ph.D. degree holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related discipline, such as engineering or computer science, should have better opportunities. Many of these workers have job titles that reflect their occupation, such as systems analyst, rather than the title mathematician, reflecting their primary educational background.

Advancements in technology usually lead to expanding applications of mathematics, and more workers with knowledge of mathematics will be required in the future. However, jobs in industry and government often require advanced knowledge of related scientific disciplines in addition to mathematics. The most common fields in which mathematicians study and find work are computer science and software development, physics, engineering, and operations research. More mathematicians also are becoming involved in financial analysis. Mathematicians must compete for jobs, however, with people who have degrees in these other disciplines. The most successful jobseekers will be able to apply mathematical theory to real-world problems, and possess good communication, teamwork, and computer skills.

Private industry jobs require at least a master's degree in mathematics or in one of the related fields. Bachelor's degree holders in mathematics usually are not qualified for most jobs, and many seek advanced degrees in mathematics or a related discipline. However, bachelor's degree holders who meet State certification requirements may become primary or secondary school mathematics teachers. (For additional information, see the statement on teachers—preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary, elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Holders of a master's degree in mathematics will face very strong competition for jobs in theoretical research. Because the number of Ph.D. degrees awarded in mathematics continues to exceed the number of university positions available, many of these graduates will need to find employment in industry and government.

.

Mathematicians Significant Points

Mathematicians Training

degree in mathematics usually is the minimum education needed for prospective mathematicians, except in the Federal Government. In the Federal Government, entry-level job candidates usually must have a 4-year degree with a major in mathematics or a 4-year degree with the equivalent of a mathematics major—24 semester hours of mathematics courses.

In private industry, candidates for mathematician jobs typically need a master's or Ph.D. Most of the positions designated for mathematicians are in research and development laboratories, as part of technical teams. Research scientists in such positions engage either in basic research on pure mathematical principles or in applied research on developing or improving specific products or processes. The majority of those with a bachelor's or master's degree in mathematics who work in private industry do so not as mathematicians, but in related fields such as computer science, where they have titles such as computer programmer, systems analyst, or systems engineer.

A bachelor's degree in mathematics is offered by most colleges and universities. Mathematics courses usually required for this degree include calculus, differential equations, and linear and abstract algebra. Additional courses might include probability theory and statistics, mathematical analysis, numerical analysis, topology, discrete mathematics, and mathematical logic. Many colleges and universities urge or require students majoring in mathematics to take courses in a field that is closely related to mathematics, such as computer science, engineering, life science, physical science, or economics. A double major in mathematics and another related discipline is particularly desirable to many employers. High school students who are prospective college mathematics majors should take as many mathematics courses as possible while in high school.

In 2003, about 225 colleges and universities offered a master's degree as the highest degree in either pure or applied mathematics; about 200 offered a Ph.D. In graduate school, students conduct research and take advanced courses, usually specializing in a subfield of mathematics.

For jobs in applied mathematics, training in the field in which the mathematics will be used is very important. Mathematics is used extensively in physics, actuarial science, statistics, engineering, and operations research. Computer science, business and industrial management, economics, finance, chemistry, geology, life sciences, and behavioral sciences are likewise dependent on applied mathematics. Mathematicians also should have substantial knowledge of computer programming, because most complex mathematical computation and much mathematical modeling are done on a computer.

Mathematicians need good reasoning ability and persistence in order to identify, analyze, and apply basic principles to technical problems. Communication skills are important, as mathematicians must be able to interact and discuss proposed solutions with people who may not have an extensive knowledge of mathematics.

.

Mathematicians Employment

Mathematicians Related Occupations

Other occupations that require extensive knowledge of mathematics or, in some cases, a degree in mathematics include actuaries; statisticians; computer programmers; computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer scientists; computer software engineers; and operations research analysts. A strong background in mathematics also facilitates employment as teachers—postsecondary; teachers—preschool, kindergarten, middle, elementary, and secondary; engineers; economists; market and survey researchers; financial analysts and personal financial advisors; and physicists and astronomers.

Mathematicians Additional Sources

For more information about careers and training in mathematics, especially for doctoral-level employment, contact:

For specific information on careers in applied mathematics, contact:

Information on obtaining a mathematician position with the Federal Government is available from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) through a telephone-based system. Consult your telephone directory under U.S. Government for a local number or call (703) 724-1850; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339. The first number is not tollfree, and charges may result. Information also is available from the OPM Internet site: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov.

Mathematicians Summaries of Related Webpages

It is located on the Global Access Menu under Media Center Programs. It is also possible to search for materials on the MCPS Library Catalog Online. If you wish to expand your research use this link to Other Libraries. The links below provide access to useful research tools for this project. Women Mathematicians Mathematicians of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries The Most Famous Mathematicians Famous Mathematicians of Guildford The World's Great Mathematicians Yahoo.
Summary of: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/wjhs/mediactr/mathpathfinder/fammath/

Preprint Archives AMS List of Preprint and e-Print Servers. Swarthmore's Math Forum Science Resources Yahoo Mathematics Section Organizations of Interest to Mathematicians AIP, The American Institute of Physics AMS, The American Mathematical Society. Los Alamos National Laboratory CNLS, Center for Nonlinear Studies. The National Academy of Science (USA) NSF WWW Home Page, the National Science Foundation. University of Florida (last updated 1997) Bibliographies on harmonic maps and for the Journal of Differential Geometry U.
Summary of: http://www.math.upenn.edu/MathSources.html

P vs NP Problem If it is easy to check that a solution to a problem is correct, is it also easy to solve the problem. Senior scholar Richard Stanley's public lecture on tilings, presented July 16, 2004 at the PCMI program on geometric combinatorics is now available in pdf form. Manjul Bhargava on NPR Clay Research Fellow Manjul Bhargava discusses mathematics and music. For more information or to make a proposal, please contact David Ellwood (ellwood at claymath dot org, 617-995-2600) or Jim Carlson (carlson at claymath dot org, 617-995-2600). Gang Tian, John Lott, John Morgan, Bennett Chow, Tobias Colding, Jim Carlson, David Ellwood, Hugo Rossi Lecturers.
Summary of: http://www.claymath.org/

Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Applied mathematicians working in industrial research and development may develop or enhance mathematical methods when solving a difficult problem. A double major in mathematics and another discipline such as computer science, economics, or one of the sciences is particularly desirable to many employers. The number of jobs available for workers whose educational background is solely in mathematics is not expected to increase significantly.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/233.htm

degree in mathematics usually is the minimum education needed, except in the Federal Government. Employment is expected to contract, reflecting the decline in the number of jobs with the title mathematician; competition will be keen for the limited number of jobs. degree holders with a strong background in mathematics and a related discipline, such as computer science or engineering, should have better employment opportunities in related occupations. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty, and divide their time between teaching and conducting research.
Summary of: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos043.htm

The Department of Homeland Security has initiated an undergraduate and graduate fellowship program in science and technology. A guide to math web sites, sorted by topic. Most of our on-line job ads are for PhD mathematicians, but try searching (select type "Business or Industry") to find jobs which may be open to those with a Bachelor's in Mathematics. Check out Texas Teaching Fellows an alternative certification program in Texas. Considering a Public School Career.
Summary of: http://www.ams.org/employment/undergrad.html

It now has around 30,000 members, including mathematicians throughout the United States and around the world. It continues to fulfill its mission with programs that promote mathematical research, increase the awareness of its value to society, and foster excellence in mathematics education. Includes the text of The Analyst, Berkeley's attack on contemporary mathematical practice. Includes information about activities and issues of importance to applied and occupational mathematicians, as well as information about SIAM. Includes professional correspondence, previously unpublished work, and published work now out of print, covering number theory, Euler products, and problems in the theory of automorphic forms.
Summary of: http://bubl.ac.uk/link/m/mathematicians.htm

Chosen from the Making Mathematics Web site, the problems sometimes absorbed students for an entire quarter. Along the way, they got help from mentors across the country, and from their teacher (who had a mentor herself). How did they get here. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Translations of mathematical formulas for web display were created by tex4ht.
Summary of: http://www2.edc.org/makingmath/

The team responsible for this factorization is the same one that previously factored the 174-digit number known as RSA-576. Peter Lax Receives 2005 Abel Prize The 2005 Abel Prize in mathematics has been awarded to Peter D. Lax for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory and application of partial differential equations and the computation of solitons. The discovery was tentatively announced by GIMPS organizer George Woltman on February 18, independently verified by Tony Reix on February 25, and the exponent was reported on February 26. The new Mersenne prime has 7,816,230 decimal digits, making it not only the largest Mersenne prime known, but also the largest known prime of any type.
Summary of: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/

Back to Index