Mathematician Salary 2025: $126,710 Median, State-by-State Pay & Job Outlook
Mathematicians earn a median $126,710 per year, according to the latest BLS data (May 2024). That’s about $61 an hour, or $129,260 on average. The top 10% make over $195,190, while the bottom 10% earn $69,240 or less. With only 2,030 jobs nationwide, this is a small, high-skill field—and it’s expected to shrink slightly over the next decade.
How much Mathematicians earn
The national median salary for Mathematicians is $126,710, meaning half earn more and half less. The mean wage is $129,260, pulled up by high earners at the top. Entry-level positions or those in lower-paying states may start around $69,240 (10th percentile). Experienced Mathematicians in top roles or locations can exceed $195,190.
Pay varies significantly by industry. Mathematicians in federal government, research, or tech tend to be at the higher end. Because the occupation is small, a few high-paying positions can skew the averages.
- Median annual wage: $126,710
- Mean annual wage: $129,260
- 10th percentile: $69,240
- 90th percentile: $195,190
Pay by state
Where you work has a huge impact on earnings. Washington tops the list at $162,280, followed by Virginia ($148,030), Maryland ($131,810), Illinois ($130,970), and New York ($126,950). These states often have strong tech, defense, or government research sectors.
On the lower end, Michigan pays just $65,510, Colorado $86,020, and Indiana $88,050. That’s a difference of nearly $100,000 between Washington and Michigan. Keep cost of living in mind—but the gap is still stark.
How to become a Mathematician
Most mathematician jobs require a master’s degree or Ph.D. in mathematics or a closely related field like applied math or statistics. A bachelor’s degree may qualify you for assistant roles, but career progression and higher pay demand graduate education.
Typical steps include: earning a bachelor’s in mathematics (often with a concentration in applied math, data science, or theoretical math); completing a master’s or Ph.D. with a thesis; gaining experience through internships or research assistant positions; and, for some government or defense roles, obtaining a security clearance. No licensing is required, but strong programming skills (Python, R, MATLAB) are a must.
- Earn a bachelor’s in mathematics or a related field
- Complete a master’s or Ph.D. in mathematics or applied mathematics
- Gain research or internship experience
- Develop programming skills (Python, R, MATLAB)
- For federal jobs, obtain a security clearance
Job outlook
Employment of mathematicians is projected to decline 0.7% from 2024 to 2034, which is a loss of about 100 positions over the decade. That’s about 100 openings per year, mostly due to workers retiring or leaving the field. The decline is driven by automation and the consolidation of math roles into data science and statistics positions.
Competition will be strong. Job seekers with expertise in applied mathematics, data analysis, and computational modeling will have an edge. Federal government and research labs remain the largest employers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary for a Mathematician in 2025?
The median annual salary is $126,710, with a mean of $129,260. Entry-level positions start around $69,240, while top earners make over $195,190.
How do I become a Mathematician?
Most positions require a master’s or Ph.D. in mathematics. Start with a bachelor’s in math, then pursue graduate education. Programming skills and research experience are also important.
Is being a Mathematician a good career?
It pays well—median $126,710—but the field is tiny (2,030 jobs) and expected to decline slightly. It's best suited for those with advanced degrees and strong analytical skills.
Which state pays Mathematicians the most?
Washington pays the highest average at $162,280. Virginia ($148,030), Maryland ($131,810), Illinois ($130,970), and New York ($126,950) round out the top five.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Mathematicians data.