How to Become a Statistical Assistant: Career Path Guide
If you want to become a statistical assistant, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for your skills, interests and personality traits. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a statistical assistant:
• You have a good attitude towards taking direction from others
• You have a high level of aptitude in mathematics
• You have knowledge within the field in which data is being collected
• You are familiar, or able to become familiar, with statistical software
• You are outgoing enough to be comfortable interacting with clients, co-workers, and survey subjects
Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a statistical assistant. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become a Statistical Assistant
If you want to become a statistical assistant, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree with a focus, or plenty of coursework, in statistics or mathematics.
A degree in the field in which the employer operates (for example, a financial brokerage may prefer to hire a statistical assistant with a degree in finance) may also be sufficient if you want to become a statistical assistant.
Some employers may hire statistical assistants with a high school diploma or associate’s degree as their highest level of education, provided they have demonstrable related experience.
Statistical Assistant Job Description
Generally, statistical assistants compile, organize and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. They may summarize findings, create reports (such as charts and graphs) and maintain databases of statistical information.
Their specific responsibilities may vary depending on the industry in which they work. For example, in market research they may be responsible for administering surveys, supervising focus groups, making presentations to clients and co-workers, and keeping hard files of surveys. In the insurance industry as another example, statistical assistants may perform actuarial computations and compile or create charts and graphs for use by actuaries.
Statistical Assistant Job Duties
• Participate in the review and publication of data and other information
• Discuss data presentation requirements with clients
• Select statistical tests for use in data analysis
• Process data using computer software
• Compile reports, charts and graphs which interpret and describe the findings of statistical analysis
• Check survey responses for errors such as the use of pens instead of pencils, and set aside responses that cannot be used
Who Creates Jobs for Statistical Assistants?
Statistical assistants may be hired on a part-time, full-time, contractual, co-op or temporary basis by many different types of organizations, including:
• Colleges and universities
• Banks and financial institutions
• Insurance companies
• Utility companies
• Private scientific and scientific research companies
• Private market research companies
• Municipal, state/provincial and federal government departments
• Large corporations that maintain internal statistics
Experience Needed to Become a Statistical Assistant
Although many employers provide on-the-job training, those who employ statistical assistants may prefer to hire candidates who have experience dealing with numerical data and working with statistical software.
A great way to gain this experience is to pursue an external internship or co-op position facilitated by your college or university. Your college or university may even offer such positions in-house, assisting with studies and projects being conducted at the university or college.
Pursing an advanced degree in statistics or mathematics may be sufficient with regards to experience needed to become a statistical assistant; as such students fill many statistical assistant jobs.
Skills Needed to Become a Statistical Assistant
In order to become effective in a career as a statistical assistant, you need to posses a certain set of skills. These skills will allow you to perform your job duties with competence, and you will likely need to show evidence of them in your resume when applying for statistical assistant jobs.
• Skilled in the use of statistical software
• Attention to detail when processing data and creating reports
• Able to create charts and graphs using various programs, such as Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge within the field in which data is being collected
• Highly organized: able to manage data, and maintain digital and paper files
• High level of aptitude in mathematics
Characteristics Needed to Become a Statistical Assistant
In order to enjoy performing the duties of a statistical assistant, you need to have certain personality traits. Taking enjoyment from your duties as a statistical assistant is important, as it helps you maintain a positive attitude towards your work, which usually leads to having a long and successful career.
• A good attitude towards taking direction from others
• An interest in the field in which data is being collected and analyzed
• Outgoing enough to be comfortable interacting with clients, co-workers, and survey subjects
• Enjoy organizing, planning and prioritizing work
• Reliable, responsible, and dependable, and willing to fulfill obligations
Get Your Degree!
Find schools and get information on the program that’s right for you.
Powered by Campus Explorer
Statistical Assistant Salary Level
The salary level of statistical assistants can vary, depending on their personal qualifications, the size and type of their employer, the specific responsibilities of their job, and many other factors.
Statistical Assistant Salary Alberta: According to the 2013 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, the average overall salary level of Albertans working in the Survey Interviewers and Statistical Clerks occupational group is $23.58 per hour.
Statistical Assistant Salary Canada: According to Statistics Canada, the average salary level of Canadian workers in the Survey Interviewers and Statistical Clerks occupational group is $34,385 per year.
Statistical Assistant Salary United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage of American workers in the Statistical Assistants occupational group is $42,530 per year.
Careers Similar to Statistical Assistant
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to Statistical Assistant, as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
References: Statistical Assistant Career Information
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as a statistical assistant.
Occupational Employment and Wages: “Statistical Assistants.” (September 4, 2019). Bureau of Labor Statistics - United States Government website. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
Summary Report: “Statistical Assistants.” (December 12, 2019). O*NET OnLine website. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
Please Note: Some of the information for this career guide was gathered from actual job postings, which due to the brief nature of their online presence, are not listed here as sources.
Scholarships for Becoming a Statistical Assistant
Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming a Statistical Assistant can be found on our Mathematics Scholarships and Psychology Scholarships pages.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Becoming a Statistical Assistant: Applicable Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a statistical assistant. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
