Occupation · SOC 15-2041.01
Biostatisticians
Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.
Median wage
$103,300
$60,390–$170,700
Projected growth
+8.4%
Faster than average
Annual openings
270
per year
Employed (US)
29,800
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,775 mapped
Core skills
MathematicsSpeakingScienceReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningWritingActive ListeningProgrammingLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisInstructingTime ManagementOperations AnalysisMonitoringCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesNegotiationQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations MonitoringEquipment SelectionOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
MathematicsEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsMedicine and DentistryBiologyEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministrativeCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentEngineering and TechnologyDesignSociology and AnthropologyPublic Safety and SecurityTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingGeographyTherapy and CounselingPhysicsChemistryBuilding and ConstructionPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageMechanicalTransportationHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
BashC#C++Clinical trials database softwareData mining softwareData visualization softwareDatabase softwareExtensible markup language XMLGitGraphics softwareIBM SPSS StatisticsInsightful S-PLUSJavaScriptLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft Visual StudioMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMicrosoft operating systemMinitabMySQLOracle DatabaseOracle JavaPHPPatient monitoring systemsPerlPythonRS-Plus softwareSAP softwareSASSAS/STATSTAT! Systems QD ClinicalSTATISTICAShell scriptSoftware development tools
Representative tasks
Analyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGetting InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationThinking CreativelyIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDocumenting/Recording InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Descriptive statistics and summary tables — compute and interpret under faculty or senior biostatistician supervision for assigned clinical or survey datasets.Statistical analysis software (SAS, R, or Python) — execute pre-written program code and verify output under guidance in a research computing environment.Sample size calculations — apply standard formulas to estimate requirements for straightforward clinical study designs with direction from a senior statistician.Longitudinal and cross-sectional data structures — distinguish and describe appropriate analytical approaches during structured research team meetings.Graphs and tables for clinical data — prepare draft visualizations using spreadsheet or graphics software in accordance with sponsor or journal style guidelines.Peer-reviewed biostatistics literature — read and summarize recent methodological articles to support team awareness of current analytical developments.Statistical analysis plans (SAPs) — contribute assigned sections to draft documents under close review by a senior biostatistician.Data quality and anomalies — identify and flag inconsistencies in clinical or survey datasets during routine data-cleaning tasks.Research protocols — review assigned sections to extract analytical requirements under the direction of the lead study statistician.Regulatory and ethical standards for data handling — follow established protocols for data privacy and integrity in a pharmaceutical or academic research setting.
developing
Logistic regression and mixed-effects models — implement and interpret independently for moderately complex clinical or epidemiological datasets with periodic peer review.Statistical program code — write, test, and document analysis scripts in R or SAS for assigned study objectives in a collaborative research environment.Clinical study sample size requirements — calculate and justify estimates for standard Phase II or III trial designs, presenting assumptions to the research team.Analysis plans and methods sections — draft complete, detailed SAPs for research protocols and revise based on feedback from principal investigators.Predictive conclusions from model outputs — draw and communicate data-driven inferences to cross-functional teams including clinicians and life scientists.Model-building and variable selection techniques — apply stepwise, LASSO, or information-criterion approaches for multivariable analyses in observational studies.Tables and figures for study reports — produce publication-quality displays that comply with regulatory submission or manuscript formatting standards.Professional conferences and methodology workshops — attend and synthesize emerging approaches in biostatistics and pharmacology for internal team knowledge sharing.Collaborative study design — contribute statistical expertise to protocol development discussions with physicians and life scientists on multi-site research projects.Version-controlled code repositories — manage analysis scripts using Git or equivalent file-versioning software within a shared research infrastructure.
proficient
Complex longitudinal and survival analyses — design, execute, and interpret independently across the full analytical scope of Phase I–IV clinical trials or large population-based studies.Advanced model-building strategies — select and validate mixed-effect, Bayesian, or machine-learning approaches for non-routine biostatistical challenges in drug development or public health research.Comprehensive statistical analysis plans — author end-to-end SAPs for multi-arm, adaptive, or complex observational study designs without supervisory review.Sample size and power determinations for novel designs — derive requirements for adaptive, platform, or basket trial designs, accounting for multiple endpoints and interim analyses.Quantitative predictions and regulatory conclusions — synthesize statistical evidence and articulate actionable findings for FDA submissions, IRB reports, or peer-reviewed publications.Custom analytical software tools — develop and validate reproducible R packages, SAS macros, or Python modules that extend team analytical capabilities across multiple projects.Data mining and integrated database queries — extract, link, and harmonize data from electronic health records, claims, or genomic databases to support research objectives.Methodological literature — critically evaluate and adapt novel statistical methods from current publications for immediate application in ongoing research programs.Cross-disciplinary study design — lead collaborative protocol development with clinicians, pharmacologists, and regulatory scientists to ensure statistical rigor from conception through dissemination.Scientific writing and oral presentation — produce high-quality manuscripts, technical reports, and conference presentations that communicate complex biostatistical findings to diverse audiences.
advanced
Organizational biostatistics strategy — define methodological standards, tool selection, and analytical governance frameworks across an enterprise research portfolio or academic department.Emerging quantitative methods — evaluate, pilot, and institutionalize novel approaches (e.g., estimands, real-world evidence frameworks, causal inference methods) to advance the organization's scientific capabilities.Junior and mid-level biostatisticians — mentor, train, and evaluate staff through structured coaching, code review, and professional development planning in a large research organization.Regulatory strategy and agency interactions — lead statistical discussions with FDA, EMA, or comparable bodies, representing the organization's analytical positions in pre-submission and advisory meetings.Cross-functional research partnerships — establish and steward collaborative relationships with clinical development, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and commercial teams to align statistical methodology with business and scientific objectives.Grant and contract proposals — provide strategic statistical leadership for large multi-site NIH, industry, or government funding applications, ensuring scientific rigor and competitive differentiation.Institutional data infrastructure and systems — oversee design and evaluation of enterprise analytical platforms, database environments, and reproducible research pipelines at organizational scale.Publication and dissemination programs — set quality and integrity standards for statistical content across all manuscripts, regulatory dossiers, and public-facing scientific communications.Field-level thought leadership — represent the organization at national conferences, editorial boards, and professional societies, shaping methodological discourse in biostatistics and life sciences.Ethical and compliance culture — champion principles of statistical integrity, transparency in reporting, and responsible data use across research teams and institutional governance structures.
Also known as
12 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Bioinformatics ScientistBiomathematicianBiometricianBiostatistical ConsultantBiostatisticianClinical BiostatisticianNGS Biostatistician (Next-Generation Sequencing)Postdoctoral FellowResearch BiostatisticianResearch ScientistStatistical ProgrammerStatistical Scientist