CareerGPS

Biostatisticians
Summary Occupational Forecast Data for Statisticians
Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage & Training Levels
2020 2025 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly Median Annual Training Levels
193 231 38 19.70% 8 15 23 $45.50 $94,640 Master's degree
Description: Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Forecast Data Source: EMSI (4th Quarter 2023)

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies.
  • Teach graduate or continuing education courses or seminars in biostatistics.
  • Read current literature, attend meetings or conferences, and talk with colleagues to keep abreast of methodological or conceptual developments in fields such as biostatistics, pharmacology, life sciences, and social sciences.
  • Prepare statistical data for inclusion in reports to data monitoring committees, federal regulatory agencies, managers, or clients.
  • Prepare articles for publication or presentation at professional conferences.
  • Calculate sample size requirements for clinical studies.
  • Determine project plans, timelines, or technical objectives for statistical aspects of biological research studies.
  • Assign work to biostatistical assistants or programmers.
  • Write program code to analyze data using statistical analysis software.
  • Write detailed analysis plans and descriptions of analyses and findings for research protocols or reports.
  • Plan or direct research studies related to life sciences.
  • Prepare tables and graphs to present clinical data or results.
  • Monitor clinical trials or experiments to ensure adherence to established procedures or to verify the quality of data collected.
  • Draw conclusions or make predictions based on data summaries or statistical analyses.
  • Develop or use mathematical models to track changes in biological phenomena such as the spread of infectious diseases.
  • Design surveys to assess health issues.
  • Develop or implement data analysis algorithms.
  • Design research studies in collaboration with physicians, life scientists, or other professionals.
  • Design or maintain databases of biological data.
  • Collect data through surveys or experimentation.
  • Review clinical or other medical research protocols and recommend appropriate statistical analyses.
  • Provide biostatistical consultation to clients or colleagues.
  • Apply research or simulation results to extend biological theory or recommend new research projects.
  • Analyze clinical or survey data using statistical approaches such as longitudinal analysis, mixed effect modeling, logistic regression analyses, and model building techniques.

Knowledge

95%
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
74%
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
73%
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
51%
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Skills

88%
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
81%
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
78%
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
75%
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
75%
Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
72%
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
69%
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
65%
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
65%
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
62%
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
62%
Programming - Writing computer programs for various purposes.
60%
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
56%
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
56%
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
53%
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
53%
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
50%
Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
50%
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
50%
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Abilities

94%
Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
85%
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
85%
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
81%
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
72%
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
72%
Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
72%
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
69%
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
69%
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
65%
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
65%
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
62%
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
62%
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
62%
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
60%
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
60%
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
56%
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
56%
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
53%
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Work Activities

95%
Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
95%
Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
89%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
86%
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
84%
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
83%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
82%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
80%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
80%
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
74%
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
73%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
69%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
64%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
64%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
60%
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
59%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
59%
Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
57%
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
55%
Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
51%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
50%
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Title Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Job Training Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, wildlife biologists, school psychologists, surgeons, treasurers, and controllers.
Education Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Interests

Investigative - 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.
Conventional - 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.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi

Work Styles

Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
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.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.