What Can You Do With a Math Degree? 8 In-Demand Jobs

With a math degree, you may pursue career options in various industries, such as computer science, marketing, and finance. Many of these careers have a positive job outlook, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the need for mathematicians and statisticians to grow much faster than the average job through 2032. This is because the skills you develop in your math courses (like critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis) top the list of skills employers seek in candidates. 

Whether you're considering math as a major or already have a math degree, read on to discover in-demand jobs where you can put your math skills to work.

What can you do with a math degree?

With a math degree, you can choose from many different industries to pursue a career, such as engineering, education, financial analysis, economics, and data science. Within these industries, you may pursue different career options, such as becoming a mathematics teacher or professor, an accountant or actuary, or a data scientist—among other fields.

When you study math, you can develop and practice many analytical and reasoning skills that you can use professionally and personally. They include the following:

• Analytical reasoning

• Critical thinking

• Data analysis

• Decision-making

• Deduction

• Logic

• Problem-solving

• Research

How to get a math degree

To get a math degree, you take courses at a college or university and choose mathematics as your major or concentration. Math degree options include an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate, and you can major in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, or similar subjects. You can also select a related degree with several math courses, such as computer science, engineering, finance, and physics.

The courses you take and the number of hours you need to complete the degree requirements vary, depending on the school's requirements for the degree you pursue. However, you can expect to take 120 credit hours to obtain your bachelor’s degree. For a master’s degree, you'll typically need to take an additional 30 to 60 credit hours, which takes about two years to complete.

Common math courses include:

• Calculus

• Computational Modeling

• Data Structures

• Discrete Mathematics

• Geometry

• Linear Algebra

• Number Theory

Read more: What Is an Undergraduate Degree?

8 in-demand math degree jobs

1. Data scientist

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $108,020 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 35 percent [2]

Education requirements: The minimum education requirement is typically a bachelor’s degree, but some employers ask for a master’s or doctoral degree and experience in the field.

Data scientists collect, organize, and analyze data. As a data scientist, you are responsible for drawing conclusions from collected data, developing algorithms, testing data, and presenting your findings to a team of other researchers. 

Data scientists typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher in a major such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field of study. As a data scientist, you must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills because you work directly with data that requires some action, whether finding a solution to a problem or using that data to create something new entirely.

2. Auditor

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $79,880 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 4 percent [4

Education requirements: Many auditors have at least a bachelor’s degree and may pursue a master’s degree, license, and certifications.

As an auditor, you are responsible for reviewing and analyzing financial records. You interpret these records and report your findings within the financial data. You also assist individuals and businesses with identifying potential fraud and creating financial plans and budgets to reduce spending.

In addition to needing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, you may need to complete certifications to work in certain roles. Popular certifications for auditors include  Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). The certification you need to complete may be specific to the career you’re pursuing, and you may want to complete several certifications to show your skills and wide range of knowledge to future employers.

3. Computer scientist

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $145,080 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 23 percent [6]

Education requirements: Computer scientists generally have at least a Master’s degree.

Computer scientists develop technology and algorithms that individuals and companies use to improve their computing and system requirements. As a computer scientist, you work directly on computer software and hardware and develop solutions to possible problems. Computer scientists use basic and advanced levels of math to program and structure data.

To become a computer scientist, you typically need to graduate with a master’s degree or higher. You must also understand different programming languages and have strong analytical skills to derive solutions from data and research.

4. Financial analyst

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $99,010 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 8 percent [8]

Education requirements: Financial analysts usually have at least a bachelor’s degree and some employers look for candidates with master's degrees or certifications.

Financial analysts assist businesses in organizing their finances in a way that will help them maximize profits. As a financial analyst, you work directly with companies and individuals by analyzing their financial records and aiding them in investing based on current investment trends. Financial analysts typically use statistics, probability, and modeling, among other math skills, to complete their duties.

Financial analysts may require a license, certifications, and a bachelor’s degree depending on the specific role. You can typically obtain a license from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) after receiving sponsorship from a company or employer. You may pursue financial certifications to boost your resume to stand out to future employers. Financial analyst certifications include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), and Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC). 

5. Software developer

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $132,270 [9]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 26 percent [10]

Education requirements: A bachelor’s degree is common for software developers.

As a software developer, you create software through coding and computer programming with the help of computer programmers. You also work directly with your programs' users to troubleshoot any potential issues using research, data, and user feedback. 

As a software developer, it’s important to know how to use different programming languages in addition to having a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or computer science. You will likely need strong communication skills to work with programmers to solve problems and work with users to explain the software and how to use it.

6. Actuary

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $120,000 [11]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2022 to 2032): 23 percent [12]

Education requirements: A bachelor’s degree with courses in computer science and statistical analysis tools are common. 

Actuaries work with individuals and businesses to analyze risk and predict customer behavior. As an actuary, you may work in the insurance industry, providing data the insurance companies use to develop terms and limits for the policies they sell customers. You'll apply data modeling and statistical analysis to identify trends and help the company stay financially viable. 

Two organizations offer actuary certifications to build your skills and stand out to employers. The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) and Society of Actuaries (SOA) each offer certifications that take years to complete. During this time, you continue your higher education and gain experience through entry-level actuary positions before gaining the status of associate or fellow through either certification.

7. Statistician

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $104,110 [13]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2032): 32 percent [14]

Education requirements: Statisticians typically need a master’s degree, but you may qualify for some entry-level positions with a bachelor's degree. 

Statisticians gather data and analyze recurring behavior within the data collected. This data may come from polls, questionnaires, or surveyed groups of individuals. In addition to analyzing data, you may also create and organize studies and surveys. As a statistician, you may need to present your findings to groups of people who rely on the data to make decisions.

Statisticians work for various entities, including private companies, schools, and government agencies—where others rely on your findings to make decisions and solve problems. It would be best if you also had strong communication skills to work with others, as well as attention to detail to help you identify errors in future findings.

8. Mathematics teacher

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $85,353 [15]

Job Outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2032): as much as 8 percent [16]

Education requirements: Teachers need a bachelor’s degree and a license to teach in their respective states.

Mathematics teachers explain different levels of math to a group of learners through direct teaching, homework assignments, tests, and practice problems. As a teacher, you strengthen the problem-solving and analytical skills of individuals using applied mathematics, both through visual graphs and written example problems. 

The level of higher education you must complete depends on the type of math teaching job you’re applying for. College or university roles typically require completing a master’s degree or higher. Most elementary or high school education roles require a bachelor’s degree or higher, and you'll likely need to become certified in your state and obtain a teaching license. The specific requirements for a teaching career vary, depending on school and state expectations. 

Getting started with Coursera

Whether you're enrolled in a math program or have already earned your degree, you can continue developing your math skills through related courses like Data Science Math Skills offered by Duke University. You also can expand your career-specific math skills through the Mathematics for Engineers Specialization offered by The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Find these math classes and more on Coursera.