With a mathematics major, one can work in finance, data analysis, cryptography, computer science, or pursue a career in academia.
So let us investigate more
A mathematics major is a versatile degree that can open up a variety of career paths. According to Forbes, “Mathematics and statistics are essential in today’s business environment and are involved in virtually every aspect of our lives, from the internet, healthcare and engineering to social sciences and finance.” Here are a few examples:
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Finance – Math majors have strong analytical skills, which make them suitable for jobs in finance such as financial analyst, stockbroker, or investment banker.
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Data analysis – As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of mathematical science occupations is projected to grow 30 percent from 2018 to 2028.” That includes jobs such as data analyst, big data analyst, statistician, actuarial analyst, machine learning engineer, and more.
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Cryptography – Cryptography is heavily based on mathematical concepts, which means math majors can become cryptographers, working on developing secure communication protocols.
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Computer science – “Mathematical algorithms are the backbone of computer science,” says the National Math Society. With a math degree, one can work as a software engineer, database manager, or computer programmer.
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Academia – Math majors can go on to teach mathematics at the high school or college level, or go into research and development.
Here are some interesting facts related to mathematics and careers:
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According to a study by Chegg, in terms of earnings potential, a math or statistics degree is more valuable than a degree in education, psychology, or sociology.
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In 2021, the top-paying industry for mathematicians was finance and insurance, with an average annual salary of $125,350.
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The highest-paying math job in 2021 was a quantitative researcher, with an average annual salary of $180,000.
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Mathematician and computer scientist Katherine Johnson, whose calculations helped NASA send astronauts to space, said, “We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.”
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A math degree can also lead to entrepreneurship, with opportunities in data-driven startups and companies.
Here’s a table summarizing some job options for math majors:
| Job Title | Median Salary | Job Description |
|---|---|---|
| Financial analyst | $83,660 | Analyze financial data and make investment recommendations. |
| Data analyst | $62,453 | Analyze large datasets and communicate insights to stakeholders. |
| Cryptographer | $103,948 | Develop algorithms and protocols for secure communication. |
| Software engineer | $107,510 | Develop and maintain computer software. |
| Math teacher | $62,870 | Teach mathematics at the high school or college level. |
In conclusion, a mathematics major can lead to a variety of careers with strong earning potential, and the skills developed during the degree program can be applied to a variety of fields. As Steve Jobs once said, “I think everyone in this country should learn to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” Math majors, who possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, are well-equipped for a world where technology and data are becoming increasingly important.
See the answer to “What can you do with a mathematics major?” in this video
In “WHAT JOBS CAN YOU GET WITH A MATHEMATICS MAJOR: The Importance of Math for Jobs,” Nathan Dalaklis highlights how studying math can help develop analytical skills that are transferable to various career paths. Math provides a conceptual understanding of problem-solving, which is necessary in engineering, logistics, and information technology jobs. A math degree can serve as a foundation for fields including physics, chemistry, statistics, data science, finance, economics, product development, and teaching. However, the speaker notes that it’s not enough to just have a math degree and encourages viewers to consider how math can help them develop skills, while also suggesting more technical math content on his channel.
Other answers to your question
However, it should be noted that there are other occupations that math grads may pursue besides these:
- Actuary.
- Algorithmic engineer.
- College or university math professor.
- Data scientist.
- Entrepreneur.
- High school math teacher.
- Investment banking analyst.
- Management consultant.
More interesting questions on the issue
What can a math major do for you?
Top Jobs you Can Get With a Math Degree
- Mathematician.
- Statistician.
- College Math Professor.
- Actuary.
- Market Research Analyst.
- Economist.
- Aerospace Engineer.
- Financial Analyst.
Is a math major a good major?
As an answer to this: Earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics can help students develop many transferrable skills, such as analytical and problem-solving skills, to prepare them for careers in industries like finance or technology.
Do math majors make good money?
Response to this: As of Jun 8, 2023, the average annual pay for the Math Major jobs category in California is $53,793 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $25.86 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,034/week or $4,482/month.
What is the best job with maths degree?
As an answer to this: Job options
- Data analyst.
- Data scientist.
- Investment analyst.
- Research scientist (maths)
- Secondary school teacher.
- Software engineer.
- Sound engineer.
- Statistician.
Similar
What can you do with a math degree?
One field where a math degree often comes in handy is operations research, which focuses on determining organizational procedures that will maximize efficiency, Howell says.
Are math majors a good match for a job?
We’ve compiled 10 jobs that are a great match if you have a math degree—but first let’s take a look at the skills that make math majors shine. Math majors develop many essential skills that are sought after by employers and—extra perk!—they’re transferable across jobs and industries.
Should you take a math major in college?
Answer: This is particularly true for students who took high-level and advanced placement math courses. Math majors in college typically possess an affinity for problem solving, and are not deterred when answers don’t appear easily—a willingness to wrestle through challenging questions is a must.