Career profile for Statistical Assistant

What does a Statistical Assistant do?

Statistical Assistants compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies.

In addition, Statistical Assistants

may perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries,
includes actuarial clerks.

What kind of tasks does a Statistical Assistant perform regularly?

Statistical Assistants are often responsible for overseeing or executing some or all of the following tasks:

Compute and analyze data, using statistical formulas and computers or calculators.
Check source data to verify completeness and accuracy.
Enter data into computers for use in analyses or reports.
Compile reports, charts, or graphs that describe and interpret findings of analyses.
File data and related information, and maintain and update databases.
Participate in the publication of data or information.
Organize paperwork, such as survey forms or reports, for distribution or analysis.
Code data prior to computer entry, using lists of codes.
Compile statistics from source materials, such as production or sales records, quality-control or test records, time sheets, or survey sheets.

The above responsibilities are specific to Statistical Assistants. More generally, Statistical Assistants are involved in several broader types of activities:

Activities	Importance	Details
Working with Computers		Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information		Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Analyzing Data or Information		Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates		Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Processing Information		Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

What is a Statistical Assistant salary?

The median salary for a Statistical Assistant is $50,360, and the average salary is $52,120. Both the median and average roughly describe the middle of the Statistical Assistant salary range, but the average is more easily affected by extremely high or low salaries.

Many Statistical Assistants earn significantly more or less than the average, due to several factors. About 10% of Statistical Assistants earn less than $31,220 per year, 25% earn less than $37,970, 75% earn less than $63,350, and 90% earn less than $77,070.

Between the years of 2020 and 2030, the number of Statistical Assistants is expected to change by 8.7%, and there should be roughly 1,300 open positions for Statistical Assistants every year.

Median annual salary: $50,360
Typical salary range: $31,220 - $77,070
Projected growth (2020 - 2030): 8.7%

What personality traits are common among Statistical Assistants?

Interests

Career interests describe a person's preferences for different types of working environments and activities. When a person's interest match the demands of an occupation, people are usually more engaged and satisfied in that role.

Compared to most occupations, those who work as a Statistical Assistant are usually higher in their Conventional and Investigative interests.

Statistical Assistants typically have very strong Conventional interests. Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Also, Statistical Assistants typically have strong Investigative interests. Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Values

People differ in their values, or what is most important to them for building job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Compared to most people, those working as a Statistical Assistant tend to value Support, Achievement, and Working Conditions.

Most importantly, Statistical Assistants moderately value Support. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

Second, Statistical Assistants moderately value Achievement. Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

Lastly, Statistical Assistants moderately value Working Conditions. Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions.

Psychological Demands

Each occupation brings its own set of psychological demands, which describe the characteristics necessary to perform the job well.

In order to perform their job successfully, people who work as Statistical Assistants must consistently demonstrate qualities such as attention to detail, dependability, and analytical thinking.

Below, you'll find a list of qualities typically required of Statistical Assistants, ranked by importance:

Demands	Importance	Details
Attention to Detail		Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability		Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Analytical Thinking		Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Integrity		Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation		Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Analytical Thinking

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Integrity

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Cooperation

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

What education and training do Statistical Assistants need?

Many Statistical Assistants will have a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Statistical Assistants usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Educational degrees among Statistical Assistants

2.0% did not complete high school or secondary school
14.3% completed high school or secondary school
26.0% completed some college coursework
9.2% earned a Associate's degree
32.7% earned a Bachelor's degree
14.5% earned a Master's degree
1.3% earned a doctorate or professional degree

Knowledge and expertise required by Statistical Assistants

Statistical Assistants may benefit from understanding of specialized subject areas, such as mathematics, computers and electronics, or customer and personal service knowledge.

The list below shows several areas in which most Statistical Assistants might want to build proficiency, ranked by importance.

Knowledge areas	Importance	Details
Mathematics		Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics		Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service		Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training		Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administrative		Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Important Abilities needed by Statistical Assistants

Statistical Assistants must develop a particular set of abilities to perform their job well. Abilities are individual capacities that influence a person's information processing, sensory perception, motor coordination, and physical strength or endurance. Individuals may naturally have certain abilities without explicit training, but most abilities can be sharpened somewhat through practice.

For example, Statistical Assistants need abilities such as mathematical reasoning, written comprehension, and number facility in order to perform their job at a high level. The list below shows several important abilities for Statistical Assistants, ranked by their relative importance.

Abilities	Importance	Details
Mathematical Reasoning		The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Written Comprehension		The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Number Facility		The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Comprehension		The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Expression		The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Number Facility

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Critical Skills needed by Statistical Assistants

Skills are developed capacities that enable people to function effectively in real-world settings. Unlike abilities, skills are typically easier to build through practice and experience. Skills influence effectiveness in areas such as learning, working with others, design, troubleshooting, and more.

Statistical Assistants frequently use skills like mathematics, reading comprehension, and critical thinking to perform their job effectively. The list below shows several critical skills for Statistical Assistants, ranked by their relative importance.

Skills	Importance	Details
Mathematics		Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension		Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Critical Thinking		Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Learning		Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving		Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

What is the source of this information?

The information provided on this page is adapted from data and descriptions published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration under the CC BY 4.0 license. TraitLab has modified some information for ease of use and reading, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this information, please send a message.

Career profile Statistical Assistant

Statistical Assistant

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