Are you on the search for the right career path — or career change — to suit your interests? If you’re passionate about the subject of mathematics, you’re in luck. There are plenty of viable career options for left-brained math experts. Here are some careers for math lovers you might explore:

1. Financial analyst

Individuals who are interested in various investment opportunities through mutual funds, banks, pension funds and other organizations may enjoy a career as a financial analyst. These professionals study past and present financial data to predict outcomes for various economic and business practices.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that this career is expected to grow 11% between 2016 and 2026, at a faster than average rate than the rest of the market. In addition, the median annual salary for financial analysts was $85,660 in May 2018, with the top 10% of earners securing salaries of $167,420.

2. Actuary

Actuaries examine potential costs of various risks and uncertainties and find strategies to reduce spending. They use math, financial theory and statistics in their day-to-day work, so prospective actuaries should be proficient in both business and mathematics.

The BLS projected an increase of 22% of actuaries between 2016 and 2026. This represents a much faster than average growth rate. The actuary career is lucrative as well as in demand, with the median annual earnings for these professionals landing at $102,880 in May 2018. The top 10% of earners for actuaries at this time was $186,110.

3. Statistician

Statisticians are crucial in multiple industries, working to solve various problems by developing cutting-edge mathematical techniques. They create surveys and polls to collect data from different populations, and then examine the information they’ve gathered to report conclusions on certain trends.

The employment outlook for mathematicians and statisticians is extremely high, as per the BLS, with a projected growth of 33% between 2016 and 2026. The median annual wage for these professionals was $87,780 in May 2018, with the top 10% of earners securing more than $139,350.

4. Auditor

Auditors go through financial records, checking for mismanagement of funds. In addition, they examine this information to identify ways to reduce wasteful spending and improve overall compliance. They might work as an internal auditor, going through their own business’ finances, or they could be an external auditor who is employed by an outside company.

The employment outlook for auditors is on the rise, with a projected 10% increase between 2016 and 2026, according to the BLS. While the median annual salary for auditors was $70,500 in May 2018, the highest 10% of earners made $122,840.

5. Computer programmer

These professionals create and test codes for computer applications and software programs. Added to that, they update existing platforms, fixing errors as needed. Even though being a computer programmer requires you to be proficient in solutions such as Java and C++, you’ll need a solid background in mathematics to grasp the systematic logic of programming.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for these professionals was $84,280 in May 2018. The top 10% in the field earned $134,630 at this same time.

The right master’s program for your desired path

Whether you decide to pursue a career as a statistician, a computer programmer or any other math-centric career, you may be interested in getting a leg up by earning an advanced degree. Depending on the specific focus you have in mind, you may consider a master’s in one of the following subjects:

• Mathematics
• Computer Science/Information Systems
• Business & Commerce
• Economics

Whether you’re trying to change careers or progress in one of these paths, you can count on Graduate Guide to provide the support and guidance you need when researching graduate schools.