What Can You Do With a Mathematics Degree? 15 Career Paths

Published on: August 20, 2025

From analyzing massive data sets to modeling climate change, a mathematics degree opens the door to a wide range of high-impact careers across different industries. Their scope extends beyond teaching or academia — math graduates are in demand in sectors like finance, technology, healthcare and even government.

In the following sections, we’ll explore 15 diverse and rewarding career paths you can pursue with a math degree, as well as salary expectations and job outlook trends associated with this versatile credential. We’ll also define what a math degree entails and how this type of program equips students with the analytical, problem-solving and data-driven skills needed to thrive in today’s high-demand fields.

What Is a Math Degree?

In a broad sense, a mathematics degree is about developing the ability to think logically, solve complex problems and apply analytical reasoning across a wide range of disciplines. Whether your interests lie in pure theoretical concepts or practical, real-world applications, a math degree provides the intellectual foundation to excel in fields that demand precision, creativity and critical thinking.

What You’ll Learn in a Math Program

As a math major, students should gain a firm grasp of both pure and applied mathematical theories. At Park University, for instance, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mathematics core curriculum challenges students through a sequence of advanced topics and foundational courses, like:

Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II & III
Mathematical Thought
Ordinary Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Abstract Algebraic Structures
Analysis

To tailor their studies toward specific interests, you may choose at least four upper-level electives, too, such as:

Probability
Statistical Methods
Topology
Number Theory
Modern Geometries
History of Mathematics

Students complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, including around 40 credit hours devoted to rigorous, degree-specific coursework. Additionally, the program offers hands-on, real-world academic enrichment through opportunities like research funding, travel grants, scholarships and a celebrated annual lecture series.

Why Pursue a Mathematics Degree?

A mathematics degree offers far more than technical expertise — it builds a versatile skill set that’s highly valued across industries. Employers seek math graduates for their ability to think critically, solve problems systematically and approach challenges with precision and creativity. These strengths are applicable in diverse fields, such as:

Finance
Technology
Healthcare
Engineering
Education
Scientific research

In today’s data-driven economy, mathematical skills are at the heart of innovation. So, what can you do with a mathematics degree? From developing algorithms that power artificial intelligence to modeling climate change patterns or optimizing business operations, math professionals are behind many of the advancements shaping the modern world. The demand for analytical thinkers continues to grow, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting strong job growth for many math-related careers over the next decade.

Beyond career prospects, studying mathematics cultivates intellectual flexibility. The discipline trains you to identify patterns, evaluate evidence and approach problems from multiple perspectives, enhancing both employability and everyday decision-making skill. Whether your goal is to enter a high-paying, high-demand role or to continue into graduate studies, a mathematics degree provides the strong foundation you need to succeed.

15 Careers You Can Pursue With a Mathematics Degree

So, what can you do with a mathematics degree, exactly?

1. Data Analyst

What they do: Analyze complex data sets to uncover trends, create data visualizations and provide actionable insights that guide business decisions. This may include identifying new market opportunities, improving operational efficiency or forecasting sales.
Where they work: Corporations, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, tech companies and government agencies — anywhere data can improve decision-making.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors excel in statistical analysis, quantitative reasoning and data interpretation — core skills for translating raw data into actionable solutions.

2. Actuary

What they do: Use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to assess risk and help organizations make informed decisions, particularly in insurance and pension planning.
Where they work: Insurance companies, consulting firms, government agencies and large corporations.
Why it’s a fit: A strong background in probability and statistics prepares math majors to evaluate complex risk scenarios with accuracy.

3. Statistician

What they do: Design surveys, experiments and opinion polls; collect and analyze numerical data; and interpret results to support research and policymaking.
Where they work: Government agencies, healthcare systems, research firms and educational institutions.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors’ expertise in statistical modeling and hypothesis testing directly aligns with the analytical and problem-solving demands of statistical work.

4. Financial Analyst

What they do: Evaluate investment opportunities, analyze financial data and prepare reports to help businesses and individuals make informed investment decisions.
Where they work: Banks, investment firms, corporations and government agencies.
Why it’s a fit: Strong quantitative skills and the ability to interpret numerical trends make math graduates well-suited to financial analysis.

5. Software Engineer

What they do: Design, develop and maintain software applications, often working on algorithms, optimization and complex system architectures.
Where they work: Tech companies, startups, research labs and software development firms.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors’ problem-solving skills, combined with their understanding of logic, algorithms, and computational thinking, provide a solid foundation for developing and optimizing software systems.

6. Cryptographer

What they do: Develop secure encryption systems to protect sensitive data from cyberattacks and unauthorized access.
Where they work: Government agencies, cybersecurity firms, financial institutions and tech companies.
Why it’s a fit: Mathematics — particularly fields like number theory and abstract algebra — forms the foundation of cryptographic systems, providing the algorithms and structures used to secure digital communications.

7. Operations Research Analyst

What they do: Apply mathematical models and analytical methods to help organizations solve problems, optimize processes and improve efficiency.
Where they work: Logistics companies, manufacturing firms, government agencies and consulting firms.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors are adept at using quantitative methods to evaluate complex operational challenges, such as optimizing supply chain efficiency, improving resource allocation and forecasting demand.

8. Math Teacher or Professor

What they do: Teach mathematics at the secondary or postsecondary level, develop curricula and inspire students to explore mathematical concepts.
Where they work: High schools, colleges, universities and online learning platforms.
Why it’s a fit: A mathematics degree provides the deep subject knowledge required to teach effectively at various educational levels and help students understand difficult concepts.

9. Machine Learning Engineer

What they do: Build and deploy algorithms that enable computers to learn from data and improve performance over time.
Where they work: Tech companies, research institutions, financial firms and healthcare organizations.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors’ skills in linear algebra, calculus and probability are critical for developing machine learning models.

10. Economist

What they do: Study the production and distribution of resources, goods and services by analyzing data, developing models and researching economic trends.
Where they work: Government agencies, research organizations, think tanks and private corporations.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors bring strong analytical skills and modeling expertise to economic research and forecasting, enabling them to analyze market trends and predict economic outcomes with precision.

11. Biostatistician

What they do: Apply statistical methods to biological and health-related research, analyzing data from clinical trials, genetics studies and public health surveys.
Where they work: Pharmaceutical companies, public health agencies, research institutions and hospitals.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors are trained in statistical analysis and data interpretation — skills essential for evidence-based healthcare research.

12. Quantitative Analyst (Quant)

What they do: Develop mathematical models to guide investment strategies, assess financial risk and improve trading performance.
Where they work: Investment banks, hedge funds, asset management firms and financial technology companies.
Why it’s a fit: Math graduates’ mastery of probability, statistics and computational methods is ideal for quantitative finance, where they apply these skills to model market behavior and develop data-driven trading strategies.

13. Market Research Analyst

What they do: Collect and analyze market data to understand consumer behavior, forecast trends and inform marketing strategies.
Where they work: Marketing agencies, corporations, consulting firms and research companies.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors’ analytical skills enable them to interpret complex market data and translate it into actionable strategies that can enhance overall marketing performance.

14. Accountant

What they do: Prepare and examine financial records, ensure compliance with laws and provide insights to improve financial performance.
Where they work: Accounting firms, corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Why it’s a fit: Strong numerical reasoning and attention to detail make math majors well-suited for accounting responsibilities such as managing financial records, analyzing budgets and ensuring regulatory compliance.

15. Logistics Analyst

What they do: Analyze supply chain processes, identify inefficiencies and develop strategies to improve product distribution and delivery.
Where they work: Transportation companies, manufacturing firms, retail corporations and government agencies.
Why it’s a fit: Math majors’ ability to work with complex systems and optimize processes translates directly to supply chain and logistics improvement.

Emerging Fields for Math Majors

While traditional math-based careers remain strong, new and rapidly evolving fields are creating even more opportunities for graduates to apply their analytical expertise in innovative ways.

Climate modeling – Mathematicians play a critical role in developing models that predict climate patterns, assess environmental risks and guide sustainability strategies. By combining statistical analysis with atmospheric and oceanic data, math professionals help governments and organizations prepare for and mitigate climate change impacts.
Bioinformatics – This interdisciplinary field blends mathematics, computer programming/science and biology to analyze complex biological data, such as genetic sequences. Math majors contribute to breakthroughs in personalized medicine, drug discovery and disease prevention by building algorithms that reveal patterns in large-scale biological datasets.
Sports analytics – Once limited to basic statistics, sports data analysis has evolved into a sophisticated discipline driven by mathematics. Professionals in this realm use predictive modeling, probability and optimization techniques to improve team performance, develop training strategies and enhance fan engagement.

Salary and Job Outlook for Math Majors

Median Salaries for Math-Related Careers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, here’s a snapshot of current median annual pay in select math-focused occupations (as of 2024):

Actuaries – $125,770 per year
Economists – $115,440 per year
Mathematicians and statisticians – $104,350 per year
Financial analysts – $101,910 per year
Operations research analysts – $91,290 per year
Data scientists (a closely related occupation) – $112,590 per year

Job Outlook and Industry Demand

Opportunities in math-related fields are projected to grow strongly over the next decade:

Actuary roles are expected to grow by 22% from 2023 to 2033, while employment for operations research analysts is projected to grow by 23% — a solid, “much faster than average” rate.
Combined mathematician and statistician roles are projected to grow 11% in the same period.
In STEM occupations (where math skills are in demand), employment is expected to rise 10.4% by 2033, with a median wage of $103,580 (well above the all-occupation median of $49,500).
The bulk of the approximately 82,000 new jobs projected in math occupations between 2021 and 2031 will likely come from data-centric roles like data scientists, statisticians and operations research analysts (as opposed to traditional mathematicians).

Why Employers Value Math Majors

Employers across industries prize mathematics graduates for several key reasons:

Analytical rigor – Math majors are trained to navigate complex datasets, assess risk and model scenarios with precision, applying advanced statistical and computational methods to ensure accuracy and reliability in their work.
Problem-solving prowess – Whether optimizing supply chains, refining financial models or crafting algorithms, these graduates offer structured, methodical thinking that enables them to break down complex problems and deliver effective, evidence-based solutions.
Versatility – The combination of quantitative acumen, logic and adaptability allows math graduates to thrive in diverse roles — from finance and tech to healthcare, logistics and public policy.
Data-driven advantage – In an era where decisions are increasingly guided by data, the ability to interpret, validate and act on numeric insights empowers organizations to make informed, strategic choices that drive measurable results.

Final Thoughts: Is a Math Degree Worth It?

For students with strong analytical skills, an interest in problem-solving and a desire to apply logic to real-world challenges, a mathematics degree is not only worth it — it’s a gateway to diverse, high-demand and well-paid career opportunities. From traditional paths like teaching and actuarial science to emerging roles in data science, climate modeling and machine learning, the versatility of a math degree ensures your skills remain relevant in an ever-changing job market.

Advancing Your Career With a Mathematics Degree From Park University

At Park University, the B.S. in Mathematics program equips you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to thrive in these roles. With a curriculum grounded in rigorous coursework, opportunities for undergraduate research and support from dedicated faculty, you’ll graduate prepared to make an impact in industries where analytical expertise drives innovation. If you’re ready to transform your passion for numbers into a rewarding career, explore our mathematics bachelor’s degree program and request information today.