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Statistician

Collect and analyse data, then present findings to use the data to help solve problems, spot trends or make predictions.

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£442

Entry level

£1,192

Experienced

Monthly

£1,917

Entry level

£5,167

Experienced

Yearly

£23,000

Entry level

£62,000

Experienced

5,500

people are currently employed

High growth

300 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

Statisticians collect and analyse data, then present their findings to use the date to help solve problems, spot trends or make predictions.

In this role you’d use your knowledge of statistics to design and implement methods of research such as surveys, experiments, opinion polls. You’d then gather numerical data and display it, helping companies to make sense of quantitative data. 

For example, information about weather conditions is collected through satellites, barometers, radars, and other instruments located on land, in water and the atmosphere. The data collected is then combined with forecasting and statistical models to provide the detailed weather forecasts that we see every day on TV or on our phones.

Statistics are used in many fields including economics, biology, engineering, public health, medicine, psychology, marketing, education, and sports.

What you might do

  • meet with clients to discuss the data required and how it should be collected

  • select the best research method to use depending on the information needed

  • design research methods such as experiments, trials or surveys

  • carry out research, often as part of a team

  • collect and analyse the data

  • use the statistics to make forecasts

  • present your results to others in the most appropriate way, using tables, graphs, diagrams or written reports

  • make decisions or predictions based on the results

  • advise other colleagues and policy makers of results and decisions

Hours

Your working hours will depend on your role. You could work office hours but flexible working is common.

Environment

You could be based in an office but you may also have to carry our research and experiements outside of the office.

Travel

You may have to travel to do research or surveys so a driving licence would be useful.

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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • understanding
  • analysing
  • time management
  • sorting
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • working with numbers
  • problem solving
  • written communication
  • verbal communication

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Economics

  • Mathematics

  • Skills for Work: Financial Services

  • Statistics

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Financial Services

  • Applications of Mathematics

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need. 

People in this role will generally have degree level qualifications in a statistical related subject, such as:

  • economics

  • mathematics

  • statistics

The UK’s main employer of statisticians is the Office of National Statistics and they have a number of fast track schemes to help graduates make a start in a career as a statistician.

Qualifications such as the Graduate Diploma in Statistics, awarded by the RSS, may also be accepted - this is equivalent to a UK honours degree in statistics.

In addition, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) have a number of accreditation and qualification schemes such as the professional qualification of graduate statistician, gained through completion of degree courses accredited by the RSS.

You could also consider applying to join the civil service via the Civil Service Fast Stream: Government Statistical Service programme - an accelerated training and development programme – to do this you would need a good degree pass or postgraduate qualification.

Recruitment in this area is also increasing in Scotland and there are opportunities within the Scottish Government and other public sector bodies as well as demand for statisticians within STEM industries (science, technology, engineering & maths) and specialisms, such as biostatisticians.

While not all employers list specific qualification requirements they do ask for relevant (usually work based) experience that demonstrates a range of transferable skills.

Some employers will expect you to have a working knowledge of statistical software packages, like Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Membership of the RSS, as mentioned above, is worth considering in order to stay up-to-date and access their training opportunities. You can join as a fellow with no qualifications, as a professional or as a business looking to help staff stay up to date.

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