How to Become a Biostatistician
Apply statistical theory and methods to biological, public health, and medical research to design experiments and analyze clinical trial data. It typically requires a master's or doctoral degree, with a median salary of $105,650 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$105,650/yr
Typical range
$64,000 to $174,050
Job growth
7%
Openings / yr
2,000
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Statistical Modeling
- Clinical Trial Design
- SAS/R Programming
- Survival Analysis
- Data Management
Helpful certifications
- PStat (Professional Statistician)
- SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
78/100
Work-life balance
75/100
Stress level
28/100
Satisfaction
76/100
Related careers
- Physicist$172,250 median
- Natural Sciences Manager$167,220 median
- Biochemist$127,410 median
- Statistician$105,650 median
- Biomedical Scientist / Researcher$103,410 median
- Meteorologist (Atmospheric Scientist)$99,070 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Biostatistician make?
The median pay for a Biostatistician is $105,650 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The typical range runs from $64,000 to $174,050, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Biostatistician?
The usual entry point is a master's or doctoral degree. Common majors are Biostatistics, Statistics, Mathematics, Public Health, and Epidemiology.
Is Biostatistician a growing field?
The BLS projects much faster than average demand for this role, about 7% over the decade, with roughly 2,000 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Biostatistician use most?
Common skills for this role are Statistical Modeling, Clinical Trial Design, SAS/R Programming, Survival Analysis, and Data Management.
Planning to become a Biostatistician?
Save this career to your PlanexAI path and track the majors, courses, and milestones that lead to it.
Not sure this is right for you?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to match your interests to majors and careers.
Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.