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Mathematicians Salary
Mathematicians earn a median $126,710 a year in the U.S., with 2,030 jobs (May 2025).
- Median wage
- $126,710 a year
- Employment
- 2,030
- Excludes self-employed
- Projected growth
- +0.6%
- 2025 to 2035
- Openings per year
- 100
- Average, including replacements
Pay range nationally
The middle half of workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile (shaded)
- Median (50%)
- $126,710 · $60.92 an hour
- Mean (average)
- $129,260 · $62.15 an hour (estimate error ±1.0%)
- 10th percentile
- $69,240 · $33.29 an hour
- 25th percentile
- $88,570 · $42.58 an hour
- 75th percentile
- $157,020 · $75.49 an hour
- 90th percentile
- $195,190 · $93.84 an hour
- Employment
- 2,030 (estimate error ±2.5%)
What they do
Standard Occupational Classification definition
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.
Job outlook
BLS Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035
- Jobs in 2025
- 2,200
- Projected for 2035
- 2,200
- Change
- Little or no change
- Openings each year
- 100
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Self-employed
- Not reported
Occupational Outlook Handbook (duties, how to become one, work environment)
Highest paying states
Median wage for this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | State | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $162,280 | 100 |
| 2 | Virginia | $148,030 | 400 |
| 3 | Maryland | $131,810 | 160 |
| 4 | Illinois | $130,970 | 60 |
| 5 | New York | $126,950 | 150 |
| 6 | California | $126,710 | 250 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $109,260 | 100 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $104,190 | 40 |
| 9 | Nevada | $102,890 | 70 |
| 10 | Indiana | $88,050 | 40 |
States with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| State | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 400 | $148,030 |
| California | 250 | $126,710 |
| Maryland | 160 | $131,810 |
| New York | 150 | $126,950 |
| Rhode Island | 100 | $109,260 |
| Washington | 100 | $162,280 |
| Michigan | 90 | $65,510 |
| Nevada | 70 | $102,890 |
| New Jersey | 70 | Not reported |
| Colorado | 60 | $86,020 |
Highest paying metro areas
Metro areas with at least 100 jobs in this occupation
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| # | Metro area | Median wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $164,470 | 200 |
| 2 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $113,590 | 150 |
| 3 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $109,260 | 100 |
Metro areas with the most jobs
Swipe the table sideways to see more columns.
| Metro area | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 200 | $164,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 150 | $113,590 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 100 | $109,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 70 | $185,520 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 60 | $130,970 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 40 | $104,190 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 40 | $102,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 40 | $156,480 |
Visa filings for this occupation
Wages employers offered on Department of Labor filings
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)194 certified filingsMedian offered wage $119,000
- PERM green card (FY 2026 through Q3)7 certified filingsMedian offered wage $117,333
Mathematicians pay by state
Related occupations
Frequently asked questions
- How much do mathematicians make?
- The median wage for mathematicians in the U.S. is $126,710 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $88,570 and $157,020.
- Which state pays mathematicians the most?
- Washington has the highest median wage for this occupation at $162,280 a year.
- What is the job outlook for mathematicians?
- BLS projects employment to grow 0.6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 100 openings each year on average.
- What education do mathematicians need?
- The typical entry-level education is: master's degree.