Great Careers in Math

Is it your best subject? Or do you just love some equations? Either way, your obsession with problem-solving can turn into a fulfilling career.

It’s never too early or too late to put your passions into practice. And every day you spend sharpening your math skills could be getting you closer to your dream job. Even if you don’t know what that job is yet.

Take a look at some math careers that cover all kinds of interests and industries. (Meaning, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to love and work with math).

Small Business Owner

Be the boss, accountant, and basically everything else. From imagining what the business will be to how it will grow, there’s nothing a small business owner doesn’t do.

Small business owners:
  • Take on tons of different tasks—even the ones they know nothing about
  • Handle budgets, complaints, and requests
  • Hire and manage employees
  • Market and advertise like it’s nobody’s business (because it’s theirs)
What you’ll need:
  • No degree to high school diploma or equivalent
  • An idea—figure out what motivates you, do your research, and ask for help as you plan your business
  • A good to-do list: Write a business plan, learn about the legal and tax rules, and be smart about investing your money
Some details:
  • Could make $65,000 to $182,000 (a year)
  • Run anything from a coffee shop to dog walking service or paint store—bring your passion for math into the things you love most
  • Great skills to have: ambition, communication, knowledge of math and business, and a passion for leading others

What else can you do? Be a business researcher or actuary.

Tax Advisor Assistant

The people who help do our taxes need help too. Support tax advisors by handling different aspects of the tax return process like a boss.

Tax advisor assistants:
  • Connect regular people to tax pros
  • Get insider resources for researching tax issues
  • Learn the complexities of the tax business first hand
  • Know all there is to know, so they can move up to tax advisory ladder
What you’ll need:
  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • Some experience—try entry-level jobs at tax offices
Some details:
  • Could make $8-$18 (an hour)
  • Work primarily in offices, but travel may be required
  • Great skills to have: detail-oriented, logic, communication, and a passion for working with others

What else could you do? Be a bookkeeper or budget analyst.

Accountant

Always felt like you were good with money (and no, we don’t mean spending it)? Help others run and evaluate their financial operations—both personal and commercial.

Accountants:
  • Make sure financial statements are accurate
  • Help businesses succeed financially (a.k.a. $$$)
  • Organize and maintain financial records
  • Keep “the books” and accounting systems running smoothly
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Certification—like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential
  • Pro-tip: Some employers will cover the costs of the CPA exam
Some details:
  • Could make $43,000 to $122,000 (a year)
  • Types of accountants: public accountants, management accountants, and government accountants
  • Great skills to have: organization, detail-oriented, communication, and a passion for math and analytics

What else could you do? Be an auditor or cost estimator.

Meteorologists

Did you know that a heatwave could bend train tracks? Learn all the weird facts when you study the weather and climate through research and data.

Meteorologists:
  • Measure temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and more
  • Prepare weather forecasts using tech, mathematical models, and data
  • Be the first to see how the weather affects us and our earth
  • Protect others from severe weather with warnings
How you get there.
  • A bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree
Some details:
  • Could make $50,000 to $138,000 (a year)
  • Types of atmospheric scientists: Atmospheric chemists and physicists, meteorologists, climatologists, climate scientists, and weather forecasters
  • Great skills to have: critical thinking, analytical, math, and a passion for the environment

What else could you do? Be an environmental engineer or geoscientist.

Aerospace Engineers

You could design spaceships—enough said.

Aerospace engineers:
  • Design, manufacture, and test aircraft and aerospace products
  • Make sure products meet regulations and standards, gotta keep our sky safe
  • Inspect and fix faulty products
  • Help others meet aliens—just kidding, but that’d be awesome
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree
  • Security clearance—if you work projects related to national defense
Some details:
  • Could make $70,000 to $162,000 (a year)
  • Specialize in aeronautical or astronautical engineering
  • Great skills to have: math, logic, critical thinking, and a passion for problem-solving

What else could you do? Be an electrical engineering technician or engineering manager.

Financial Advisor

Help people make smart decisions around investments, college savings, estate planning, and retirement.

Financial advisors:
  • Meet clients to discuss financial goals
  • Educate others and answer questions about investments
  • Monitor client accounts and determine if changes are needed
  • Research new investments
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree
  • Optional certifications
Some details:
  • Could make $40,000 to $208,000 (a year)
  • Work in the finance or insurance industry—or for yourself!
  • Great skills to have: math, logic, social, and a passion for working with others

What else could you do? Be a financial analyst or insurance underwriter.

Operations Research Analysts

Already feel like you’re always right? When your job is to solve problems, you’re the person with all the answers.

Operations research analysts:
  • Use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to solve problems
  • Apply statistical analysis, simulations, and predictive modeling to analyze information
  • Develop practical solutions to business problems
  • Tell people what to do—no, really, that’s part of this job
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree and continuous education
Some details:
  • Could make $45,000 to $134,000 (a year)
  • Work for the Department of Defense or private consulting firms
  • Great skills to have: math, logic, critical thinking, and a passion for problem-solving

What else could you do? Be a logistician or market research analyst.

Economists

Basically, you’re a fortune-teller—a future-seer. You would identify current trends and tell people about new ones.

Economists:
  • Collect data, research trends, and evaluate economic issues
  • Analyze data using mathematical models, statistical techniques, and software
  • Advise businesses, governments, and people on economic topics
  • Recommend solutions to economic problems
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree
Some details:
  • Could make $56,000 to $172,000
  • Analyze topics in the education, health, development, and environmental industry
  • Great skills to have: logic, math, critical thinking, and a passion for keeping up with current trends

What else could you do? Be a financial examiner or survey researcher.

Statisticians

Let the numbers speak to you. You can solve problems in business, engineering, and science with nothing but data and mathematical theories.

Statisticians:
  • Advance mathematical or statistical models
  • Develop new mathematical rules, theories, and concepts
  • Decide what data can answer questions or solve problems
  • Interpret data and report conclusion
What you’ll need:
  • A bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree
Some details:
  • Could make $52,000 to $161,000 (a year)
  • Work in government, healthcare, and research and development industries—or at colleges
  • Great skills to have: math, logic, communication, and a passion for problem-solving

What else could you do? Be a computer systems analyst or physicist.

With so many careers in mathematics out there, why not follow your passion? You can love what you do!