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Mathematicians in California

Thinking about a career as a Mathematicians in California? Here’s what the data says. Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

What do Mathematicians Make in California?

For a mathematicians working in California, the typical annual salary is $143,890 per year (or about $69.18/hour).Earnings range from $87,630 at the 10th percentile to $181,690 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$87,630	$42.13
25th percentile	$110,140	$52.95
Median (50th)	$143,890	$69.18
75th percentile	$156,310	$75.15
90th percentile	$181,690	$87.35

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 0.92.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, mathematicians earn a median of $66,238 per year ($31.85/hour), above the California median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 101,262 mathematicians in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 240 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 90 mathematicians.

Top California Metros for Mathematicians

These are the California metros with the most mathematicians in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	40	$149,150

Top States for Mathematicians Employment

The table below shows the states where the most mathematicians work.

State	Number Employed
Virginia	400
California	240
Washington	180
Maryland	170
New York	150
Nevada	90
Florida	90
Michigan	80
New Jersey	70
Illinois	60
Colorado	60
District of Columbia	50
Ohio	30

Highest-Paying States for Mathematicians

These states pay the most for mathematicians.

State	Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia	$154,480
California	$143,890
Virginia	$142,150
Washington	$137,180
Maryland	$128,940
Illinois	$127,290
Colorado	$108,500
Florida	$105,370
Nevada	$102,900
New York	$98,620

Skills

Key mathematicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for mathematicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, mathematicians typically:

• Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
• Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
• Develop new principles and new relationships between existing mathematical principles to advance mathematical science.
• Disseminate research by writing reports, publishing papers, or presenting at professional conferences.
• Assemble sets of assumptions, and explore the consequences of each set.
• Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
• Address the relationships of quantities, magnitudes, and forms through the use of numbers and symbols.
• Conduct research to extend mathematical knowledge in traditional areas, such as algebra, geometry, probability, and logic.
• Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
• Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
• Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.
• Design, analyze, and decipher encryption systems designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information in code.

Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Processing Information
• Working with Computers
• Training and Teaching Others
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Getting Information
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Coaching and Developing Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Apple macOS, Atlassian JIRA, Bash, C In-demand technologies: Atlassian JIRA, C

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Statistics
• Other Statistics
• Mathematics & Computer Science
• Mathematical Economics
• Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science
• Biomathematics & Bioinformatics
• Philosophy

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Related Careers

Related occupations to mathematicians include:

• Financial Quantitative Analysts
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Software Developers
• Operations Research Analysts
• Statisticians
• Biostatisticians

Also Known As

Agent-Based Modeler, Algebraist, Applied Mathematician, Cipher Expert, Computational Mathematician, Computational Scientist, Cryptanalyst, Cryptographer, Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst, Engineering Mathematician, Game Mathematician, Geometrician, Math Researcher (Mathematics Researcher), Mathematician, Research Computing Specialist.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-2021.00