Mathematicians
Mathematicians (SOC 15-2021) earn a median $126,710 a year ($60.92 an hour) in the United States, with 2,030 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Washington.
What mathematicians do
Mathematicians carry out research in basic mathematics or use mathematical methods on problems in science, management, and other areas. Pure mathematicians develop new principles and uncover new relationships among existing ones, while applied mathematicians use techniques such as modeling and computation to solve practical problems. Work includes formulating and testing proofs and models, mentoring others on mathematical techniques, and writing papers or presenting results to colleagues. Mathematicians keep their knowledge current by reading journals and talking with other professionals. Titles include applied mathematician, computational mathematician, and cryptologist. The occupation differs from statisticians, who focus on collecting and interpreting numerical data, from operations research analysts, who use models to support management decisions, and from actuaries. Postsecondary math teachers are classified in education. They also assemble sets of assumptions and explore the consequences of each, and they disseminate research through reports, papers, and conference presentations.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a doctoral degree as the typical level of education for this occupation.
Also called: Agent-Based Modeler, Algebraist, Applied Mathematician, Cipher Expert, Computational Mathematician.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $33.29 | $42.58 | $60.92 | $75.49 | $93.84 | $62.15 | 2,030 |
| Annual | $69,240 | $88,570 | $126,710 | $157,020 | $195,190 | $129,260 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where mathematicians earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington | Hourly | $49.06 | $54.28 | $78.02 | $93.33 | $115.37 | $76.79 | 100 | 0.03 | 2.14 |
| Annual | $102,050 | $112,900 | $162,280 | $194,120 | $239,960 | $159,710 | ||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $44.48 | $58.17 | $71.17 | $84.43 | $93.84 | $70.31 | 400 | 0.10 | 7.45 |
| Annual | $92,520 | $120,990 | $148,030 | $175,610 | $195,190 | $146,240 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $35.38 | $45.91 | $63.37 | $80.29 | $93.84 | $65.02 | 160 | 0.06 | 4.38 |
| Annual | $73,590 | $95,490 | $131,810 | $167,000 | $195,190 | $135,250 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $23.65 | $48.41 | $62.97 | $62.97 | $81.73 | $58.65 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.81 |
| Annual | $49,190 | $100,680 | $130,970 | $130,970 | $170,010 | $121,990 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $38.04 | $42.97 | $61.03 | $80.60 | $125.80 | $70.99 | 150 | 0.02 | 1.20 |
| Annual | $79,110 | $89,380 | $126,950 | $167,650 | $261,670 | $147,660 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $44.48 | $58.17 | $71.17 | $84.43 | $93.84 | $70.31 | 400 | 0.10 | 7.45 |
| Annual | $92,520 | $120,990 | $148,030 | $175,610 | $195,190 | $146,240 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $39.05 | $48.67 | $60.92 | $75.23 | $87.51 | $62.07 | 250 | 0.01 | 1.04 |
| Annual | $81,230 | $101,230 | $126,710 | $156,480 | $182,020 | $129,110 | ||||
| Maryland | Hourly | $35.38 | $45.91 | $63.37 | $80.29 | $93.84 | $65.02 | 160 | 0.06 | 4.38 |
| Annual | $73,590 | $95,490 | $131,810 | $167,000 | $195,190 | $135,250 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $38.04 | $42.97 | $61.03 | $80.60 | $125.80 | $70.99 | 150 | 0.02 | 1.20 |
| Annual | $79,110 | $89,380 | $126,950 | $167,650 | $261,670 | $147,660 | ||||
| Rhode Island | Hourly | $34.84 | $48.25 | $52.53 | $60.92 | $74.59 | $55.39 | 100 | 0.19 | 14.58 |
| Annual | $72,470 | $100,360 | $109,260 | $126,710 | $155,150 | $115,200 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $49.22 | $54.61 | $89.19 | $93.33 | $115.37 | $80.47 | 70 | 0.03 | 2.61 |
| Annual | $102,380 | $113,600 | $185,520 | $194,120 | $239,960 | $167,380 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $36.05 | $59.10 | $79.07 | $93.84 | $99.75 | $75.72 | 200 | 0.06 | 4.87 |
| Annual | $74,980 | $122,930 | $164,470 | $195,190 | $207,480 | $157,500 | ||||
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | Hourly | $48.67 | $59.78 | $75.23 | $75.23 | $93.84 | $69.68 | 40 | 0.03 | 2.18 |
| Annual | $101,230 | $124,340 | $156,480 | $156,480 | $195,190 | $144,930 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $23.65 | $52.72 | $62.97 | $62.97 | $81.73 | $59.38 | 60 | 0.01 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $49,190 | $109,660 | $130,970 | $130,970 | $170,010 | $123,510 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $38.04 | $42.97 | $54.61 | $83.02 | $137.88 | $69.65 | 150 | 0.02 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $79,110 | $89,380 | $113,590 | $172,680 | $286,800 | $144,880 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $36.05 | $59.10 | $79.07 | $93.84 | $99.75 | $75.72 | 200 | 0.06 | 4.87 |
| Annual | $74,980 | $122,930 | $164,470 | $195,190 | $207,480 | $157,500 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $38.04 | $42.97 | $54.61 | $83.02 | $137.88 | $69.65 | 150 | 0.02 | 1.23 |
| Annual | $79,110 | $89,380 | $113,590 | $172,680 | $286,800 | $144,880 | ||||
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | Hourly | $34.84 | $48.25 | $52.53 | $60.92 | $74.59 | $55.39 | 100 | 0.13 | 10.24 |
| Annual | $72,470 | $100,360 | $109,260 | $126,710 | $155,150 | $115,200 | ||||
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Hourly | $49.22 | $54.61 | $89.19 | $93.33 | $115.37 | $80.47 | 70 | 0.03 | 2.61 |
| Annual | $102,380 | $113,600 | $185,520 | $194,120 | $239,960 | $167,380 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $23.65 | $52.72 | $62.97 | $62.97 | $81.73 | $59.38 | 60 | 0.01 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $49,190 | $109,660 | $130,970 | $130,970 | $170,010 | $123,510 | ||||
Top industries employing mathematicians
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) employ 54.7% of mathematicians nationally (1,110 jobs) at a median $136,990 a year ($65.86 an hour), followed by Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (15.8%) and Scientific Research and Development Services (9.9%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 1,110 | 54.7% | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 320 | 15.8% | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services NAICS 541700 | 200 | 9.9% | $167,650 | $80.60 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing NAICS 336400 | 60 | 3.0% | $185,520 | $89.19 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing NAICS 339900 | 60 | 3.0% | $106,730 | $51.31 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (2,030). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $108,100 for mathematicians in May 2021 and $126,710 in May 2025, with employment of 1,770 and 2,030.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $108,100 | $51.97 | 1,770 |
| May 2022 | $112,110 | $53.90 | 2,070 |
| May 2023 | $116,440 | $55.98 | 2,220 |
| May 2024 | $121,680 | $58.50 | 2,220 |
| May 2025 | $126,710 | $60.92 | 2,030 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
13 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington profile | $78.02 | $162,280 | $102,050 | $239,960 | 100 | 0.03 | 2.14 |
| 2 | Virginia profile | $71.17 | $148,030 | $92,520 | $195,190 | 400 | 0.10 | 7.45 |
| 3 | Maryland profile | $63.37 | $131,810 | $73,590 | $195,190 | 160 | 0.06 | 4.38 |
| 4 | Illinois profile | $62.97 | $130,970 | $49,190 | $170,010 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.81 |
| 5 | New York profile | $61.03 | $126,950 | $79,110 | $261,670 | 150 | 0.02 | 1.20 |
| 6 | California profile | $60.92 | $126,710 | $81,230 | $182,020 | 250 | 0.01 | 1.04 |
| 7 | Rhode Island profile | $52.53 | $109,260 | $72,470 | $155,150 | 100 | 0.19 | 14.58 |
| 8 | Massachusetts profile | $50.09 | $104,190 | $72,030 | $149,520 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.93 |
| 9 | Nevada profile | $49.47 | $102,890 | $78,810 | $162,990 | 70 | 0.05 | 3.50 |
| 10 | Indiana profile | $42.33 | $88,050 | $77,420 | $136,990 | 40 | 0.01 | 1.07 |
| 11 | Colorado profile | $41.36 | $86,020 | $63,820 | $195,190 | 60 | 0.02 | 1.57 |
| 12 | Michigan profile | $31.50 | $65,510 | $65,510 | $132,530 | 90 | 0.02 | 1.65 |
| – | New Jersey profile | * | * | * | * | 70 | 0.02 | 1.22 |
Part of Computer and Mathematical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 15-2021 Mathematicians.
*- Wage estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 15-2021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 15-2021.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.