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Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries

Formal Description

“Mathematicians and statisticians research mathematical or statistical theories, and develop and apply mathematical or statistical techniques for solving problems in such fields as science, engineering, business and social science. Actuaries apply mathematics, statistics, probability and risk theory to assess potential financial impacts of future events. Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries are employed by universities, governments, bank and trust companies, insurance companies, pension benefit consulting firms, professional associations, and science and engineering consulting firms” (NOC 2021).

Sample Job Titles

This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:

Biological and Agricultural Science Statistician

Cryptographer

Consulting Actuary

Epidemiologist (Except Physician and Veterinarian)

Medical Statistician

Social Science Statistician

Statistical Methodologist

Public Health Statistician

Typical Employment and Education Requirements

The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.

The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:

  • Mathematicians and statisticians usually require a graduate degree in mathematics or statistics.
  • Actuaries usually require post-secondary education in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, economics, commerce or business administration.
  • Actuaries are conferred fellowships through the Canadian Institute of Actuaries upon successful completion of professional examinations and three years of work experience in the actuarial field as an actuarial assistant or in a related position.

Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond

When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:

  • Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
  • Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
  • Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.

Related Sectors

Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:

Academic Program Connections

As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:

Economics Learn More

Economics is a data-intensive discipline that emphasizes mathematical modelling, statistical inference, and quantitative analysis. Students engage with real-world data to understand economic behaviour, market trends, and policy impacts. Economics graduates are well-prepared for roles in actuarial science, financial modelling, and statistical forecasting, with many pursuing further training in data science or actuarial certification.

Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB) Learn More

The PNB program includes rigorous training in experimental design, statistical methods, and data analysis. Students learn to work with large datasets and apply statistical software to test hypotheses and interpret results. Graduates are equipped for roles in biostatistics, psychometrics, and research analytics, where precision and methodological expertise are essential.

Sociology Learn More

Sociology combines theoretical insight with empirical research. Students gain experience in survey design, statistical analysis, and the interpretation of social data using tools such as SPSS. This major prepares students for roles in demographic analysis, social statistics, and applied research, particularly in government and non-profit sectors where data-driven decision-making is key.

Social Psychology Learn More

Social Psychology bridges individual behaviour and societal trends, with a strong emphasis on quantitative research methods. Students learn to design experiments, analyze behavioural data, and apply statistical reasoning. Graduates are well-suited for roles in behavioural analytics, market research, and statistical consulting, where understanding human behaviour through data is critical.

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