How much does a mathematician make?
The median mathematician in the United States earns $126,710 per year, about $60.92 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all mathematicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-2021.
Mathematician salary range
Pay for mathematicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $69,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $195,190. The average (mean) wage of $129,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,240 | $33.29 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $88,570 | $42.58 | |
| Median (50th) | $126,710 | $60.92 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $157,020 | $75.49 | |
| 90th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for mathematicians (SOC 15-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Mathematician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Mathematicians earn the most in Washington at $162,280 a year, and the least in Michigan at $65,510. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $162,280 | 100 |
| Virginia | $148,030 | 400 |
| Maryland | $131,810 | 160 |
| Illinois | $130,970 | 60 |
| New York | $126,950 | 150 |
| California | $126,710 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $109,260 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $104,190 | 40 |
| Nevada | $102,890 | 70 |
| Indiana | $88,050 | 40 |
| Colorado | $86,020 | 60 |
| Michigan | $65,510 | 90 |
State median wages for mathematicians (SOC 15-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for mathematicians
The BLS projects employment of mathematicians to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 2,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 2,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 100 openings a year for mathematicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a mathematician
The typical entry-level education for mathematicians is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a mathematician earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $162,280) and the lowest (Michigan, $65,510) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 2,030 people work as mathematicians in the United States. At $126,710 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Mathematician salary FAQ
How much does a mathematician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a mathematician is $60.92. The middle half of mathematicians earn between $42.58 and $75.49 per hour.
What is the highest mathematician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of mathematicians earn more than $195,190 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a mathematician make a year?
The median annual salary for a mathematician is $126,710. The average (mean) wage of $129,260 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a mathematician a well paid job?
At $126,710 a year, a mathematician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 2,030 people work as mathematicians in the United States.
Which state pays mathematicians the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for mathematicians at $162,280 a year. Virginia ($148,030) and Maryland ($131,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a mathematician a good career?
Employment of mathematicians is projected to hold roughly steady 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a mathematician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for mathematicians as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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