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Statisticians

SOC 15-2041.00Job Zone 5 · Extensive Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers statisticians working across applied research, government, healthcare, policy, and industry settings who design studies, analyze complex data, and communicate quantitative findings to diverse stakeholders.

Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Descriptive statistics and summary measurescompute and interpret under faculty or senior statistician guidance on assigned research datasets.
  2. Raw data filesorganize, check for inaccuracies, and apply basic weighting procedures in preparation for processing on a research project team.
  3. Standard statistical software packagesexecute pre-specified analyses and document outputs under direct supervision in an academic or applied research setting.
  4. Statistical tables, charts, and graphsconstruct using spreadsheet or analytical software to present findings in structured internal reports.
  5. Sampling concepts and experimental designsrecognize and describe their appropriate application when reviewing existing study documentation.
  6. Research literature and statistical methods sectionsread and summarize to support senior statisticians evaluating validity of published procedures.
  7. Relationships and trends in structured datasetsidentify using guided exploratory analysis techniques within familiar data environments.
  8. Database query toolsretrieve and filter data from established repositories following documented protocols on a research or consulting team.
  9. Mathematical reasoningapply foundational probability and inference concepts to verify calculations reviewed by a supervising statistician.
  10. Preliminary findingspresent verbally to immediate project team members using prepared slide decks under direction from a project lead.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Statistical analysis plansdevelop and execute routinely for moderately complex studies, adapting methods to meet user needs with limited oversight.
  2. Data quality and preprocessing pipelinesdesign and apply weighting, imputation, and adjustment procedures independently for standard research datasets.
  3. Validity and efficiency of statistical proceduresevaluate and document for ongoing projects, flagging methodological concerns to senior staff.
  4. Regression, ANOVA, and multivariate techniquesimplement and interpret across familiar applied contexts including government, healthcare, or industry settings.
  5. Graphs, charts, and written reportsproduce to communicate statistical results clearly to technical and semi-technical audiences in a professional environment.
  6. Sampling frame design and sample size determinationexecute for survey or experimental studies using established methodological references.
  7. Statistical programming scriptswrite and maintain in R, Python, or SAS to automate recurring analytical workflows within a departmental setting.
  8. Relationships and confounding factors in research dataidentify and interpret, providing documented explanations of trends affecting study conclusions.
  9. Client or stakeholder meetingspresent statistical findings using charts and bullets, responding to moderately complex questions with confidence.
  10. Business intelligence and data mining toolsapply to extract and synthesize patterns from large organizational datasets in support of ongoing projects.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex multivariable and longitudinal statistical modelsdesign, validate, and interpret autonomously across diverse research domains including clinical trials, policy analysis, and industrial applications.
  2. Full-scope data preparation workflowsarchitect and execute for large-scale or non-standard datasets, resolving inaccuracies and structural anomalies without supervisory input.
  3. Statistical methodology selectionevaluate and justify the most appropriate techniques for novel user needs or research questions, drawing on breadth of theoretical and applied knowledge.
  4. Non-routine methodological challengesdiagnose and resolve, including violations of model assumptions, missing data patterns, and small-sample inference problems in real project environments.
  5. Comprehensive analytical reportsauthor for senior leadership, regulators, or peer-reviewed publication audiences, integrating statistical and contextual findings with precision and clarity.
  6. Experimental and quasi-experimental designsdevelop and test end-to-end, including power analysis and adaptive design modifications, in research or operational settings.
  7. Advanced data mining and machine learning pipelinesbuild and critically evaluate, integrating statistical rigor with computational methods for high-dimensional datasets.
  8. Peer and client review sessionslead independently, presenting nuanced statistical results and nonstatistical implications to mixed audiences including executives, scientists, and policymakers.
  9. Interdisciplinary research teamsserve as the statistical authority, advising collaborators on analytic strategy and interpreting quantitative evidence within broader scientific context.
  10. Systems of data collection and measurementanalyze for bias, efficiency, and fitness-for-purpose, recommending design improvements to organizational data infrastructure.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational statistical strategydefine and champion methodological standards, governance frameworks, and quality benchmarks across an enterprise or major research institution.
  2. Novel statistical methodologiespioneer and publish, advancing discipline knowledge and establishing best practices adopted by professional communities or regulatory bodies.
  3. Statistical workforce developmentmentor, train, and evaluate teams of statisticians at multiple career levels, designing learning pathways aligned to organizational capability needs.
  4. Cross-functional analytical agendasset in collaboration with C-suite or agency leadership, translating strategic priorities into rigorous quantitative research programs.
  5. Validity and integrity of large-scale data systemsoversee at the institutional level, establishing evaluation criteria and directing audit processes for enterprise analytical platforms.
  6. High-stakes statistical reports and expert testimonyauthor and present before regulatory agencies, legislative bodies, or executive boards, with full accountability for conclusions.
  7. Research design frameworksestablish for multi-site or longitudinal studies, coordinating statistical coherence across distributed teams and data sources.
  8. Organizational adoption of advanced analytical toolslead, selecting and integrating business intelligence, data mining, and scientific software ecosystems to support strategic decision-making.
  9. Ethical and policy dimensions of statistical practiceguide at the institutional level, ensuring data privacy, equity in measurement, and responsible use of inference across all projects.
  10. External partnerships and fundingcultivate with government agencies, industry sponsors, and academic consortia, positioning the organization as a recognized center of statistical excellence.

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Analytical Statistician · Applied Scientist · Applied Statistician · Biometrician · Clinical Analyst · Data Analyst · Data Analyst Specialist · Data Analytics Specialist · Data Coordinator · Data Engineer · Data Manager · Data Modeler
RAPIDS apprenticeships
O*NET skills
MathematicsReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingWritingActive LearningScienceJudgment and Decision MakingLearning StrategiesMonitoringProgrammingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationTime Management
Knowledge domains
MathematicsComputers and ElectronicsEnglish Language
Abilities
Mathematical ReasoningNumber FacilityWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionInductive ReasoningOral ExpressionNear VisionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInformation Ordering
Work styles
Attention to DetailIntellectual CuriosityDependabilityAchievement OrientationIntegrityCautiousness
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareData mining softwareData base management system softwareBusiness intelligence and data analysis softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareObject or component oriented development softwareDevelopment environment softwareEnterprise application integration softwareOperating system softwareSpreadsheet software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
  2. Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
  3. Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
  4. Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
  5. Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
  6. Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
  7. Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
  8. Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.
CIP education codes
13.060313.060413.060813.069926.110126.110226.131127.010127.030127.030427.050127.050227.050327.059927.060130.490130.700130.709930.710130.710230.719942.270845.010245.010345.060352.1302

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.