How long does it take to become a mathematician?

Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do mathematicians make?

The US median is $126,710 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a mathematician?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a mathematician?

1,383 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a mathematician

Computers & IT · SOC 15-2021

$126,710US median pay, 2025

+0.6%Projected growth, 2025–35

100Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Master's degree
Work as a mathematician

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Mathematics, General	CIP 27.0101	1,306
Applied Mathematics, General	CIP 27.0301	216
Financial Mathematics	CIP 27.0305	120
Mathematics and Computer Science	CIP 30.0801	72
Mathematics and Statistics	CIP 27.0503	42
Computational and Applied Mathematics	CIP 27.0304	38
Mathematics and Statistics, Other	CIP 27.9999	33
Mathematics, Other	CIP 27.0199	30
Computational Mathematics	CIP 27.0303	25
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other	CIP 26.1199	18
Applied Mathematics, Other	CIP 27.0399	18
Mathematical Statistics and Probability	CIP 27.0502	17
Mathematical Economics	CIP 30.4901	8
Mathematical Biology	CIP 27.0306	3
Logic	CIP 38.0102	2
Algebra and Number Theory	CIP 27.0102	1
Analysis and Functional Analysis	CIP 27.0103	1
Geometry/Geometric Analysis	CIP 27.0104	0
Topology and Foundations	CIP 27.0105	0
Mathematics and Atmospheric/Oceanic Science	CIP 30.5001	0

See the 1,383 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a mathematician?: Typically about six years of study in total. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do mathematicians make?: The US median is $126,710 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a mathematician?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a mathematician?: 1,383 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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