Statistician

Introduction

Statisticians collect, analyse and interpret data for government, business or scientific use. They provide advice based on their results. Statisticians need to be able to explain their methods and results clearly, both verbally and in writing.

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Work Activities

Statisticians collect, analyse and interpret numerical data. They work in actuarial work, biometrics, environmental work, forensics, health, housing, economics, insurance, local government, market research, pharmaceuticals, the labour market, teaching and transport.

The Civil Service is the main employer of statisticians in the UK in the Government Statistical Service. Statistics produced are used to plan public services, by collecting information on public health, for example. The service also produces information to measure the country's economic performance, for example, the Retail Price Index.

In the Department of Health, statisticians may examine the performance of the National Health Service (NHS), in terms of hospital waiting lists, staffing levels or ambulance response times.

Statisticians work out risks in areas such as pensions and life insurance. They work for banks on credit risk and for investment companies on stock market analysis.

In environmental areas they assess climate patterns, changes in animal populations and the effects of air pollution on health.

Statisticians may also work in research, lecturing and journalism.

Statisticians often work in teams, collecting and analysing data from a variety of sources.

There is always the danger that statistics can be interpreted and presented in different ways, especially by opposing political parties. For example, statisticians working in the Department for Work and Pensions collect and publish unemployment figures. They have to be aware of the possibility of bias in the methods they use to collect or explain data. Bias can occur unintentionally, perhaps if a factor is left out; this distorts the results. They may have to explain their methods and results to ministers, journalists and City analysts.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a statistician, you must have excellent mathematical and numerical skills. You will need a logical and methodical approach, and should enjoy solving problems. You should be flexible to try different statistical methods for each job.

You need good IT skills.

You must be aware of bias, and be able to explain your results clearly, both verbally and in writing. You need good teamwork skills.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for statisticians vary, depending on the sector they work in.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

In the Government Statistical Service, the average starting pay is around £18,500 for a statistical officer, £23,000 for an assistant statistician and £40,000 once you get promotion.

Other statisticians earn in the range of £22,000 - £31,500 a year, rising to £32,000 - £42,000. Higher earners can make around £65,000 a year.

Higher salaries are available depending on employer, role and responsibilities. Statisticians usually work a basic 37-39 hour week, Monday to Friday, with occasional late finishes, especially as deadlines approach.

Within the UK, the Government Statistical Service (GSS) - part of the Civil Service - is the largest single employer of statisticians, with more than 1200 in 30 different departments.

The Scottish Government also recruits statisticians through the Fast Stream route.

Other employers include local authorities, large industrial firms, such as research organisations (including market research) and financial institutions.

In pharmaceutical companies, statisticians plan and analyse reports on clinical trials of new drugs. In manufacturing industries, they predict demand and target products at a particular market. They may carry out risk analysis for insurance companies or produce accident statistics for rail companies.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have gained statistical skills through business, financial or commercial experience.

The Royal Statistical Society offers a number of professional examinations in statistics at different levels, up to the Graduate Diploma, which is equivalent to an Honours degree in statistics.

These professional examinations provide a route for people who, for whatever reason, are unable to take a university degree course. The Society can provide information about where courses are held and the availability of distance learning material.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Science) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

The Open University offers a BA degree in Mathematics and Statistics by distance learning.

Sheffield Hallam University offers postgraduate programmes in Applied Statistics, by distance learning.

Funding is available through universities, for certain postgraduate studies and research in statistics, from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

• 11% of people in occupations such as statistics work part-time.
• 18% have flexible hours.
• 2% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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