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Government & Public Administration
U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC
Statistical Assistants
Statistical assistants clean up raw numbers, code survey answers, and turn messy records into charts, tables, and short reports. The work sits between data collection and analysis, so you spend a lot of time checking source material for errors and making sure the numbers are usable. The tradeoff is clear: the job is accessible with a bachelor's degree and no required experience, but it can be repetitive and the pay ceiling is fairly modest.
Also known as Statistical ClerkData Reporting AssistantSurvey Data ClerkResearch Data AssistantStatistical Data Processor
Median Salary
$51,440
Mean $55,470
U.S. Workforce
~6K
0.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-2.5%
6.5K to 6.3K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Statistical Assistants sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~6K workers, with a median annual pay of $51,440 and roughly 0.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 6.5 K in 2024 to 6.3K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, business, economics, or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Entry-level data clerk and can progress toward Analytics manager. High-value skills usually include Mathematics & Statistical Reasoning, Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets, and SQL & Database Queries, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Active Learning.
Core Responsibilities
- Check source forms, files, and records to catch missing or inconsistent information before it gets used.
- Enter coded information into spreadsheets or databases so it can be analyzed later.
- Sort, file, and update paper records and digital databases to keep data organized and easy to find.
- Translate survey answers or other raw records into standard codes for computer entry.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Check source forms, files, and records to catch missing or inconsistent information before it gets used.
02 Enter coded information into spreadsheets or databases so it can be analyzed later.
03 Sort, file, and update paper records and digital databases to keep data organized and easy to find.
04 Translate survey answers or other raw records into standard codes for computer entry.
05 Run basic calculations and summaries with spreadsheets or statistical software to look for patterns.
06 Build tables, charts, and short reports that explain the results to managers or analysts.
Industries That Hire
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Healthcare & Health Insurance
Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealth Group, Mayo Clinic
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Finance & Insurance
JPMorgan Chase, Vanguard, State Farm
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Market Research & Consulting
Nielsen, Ipsos, McKinsey & Company
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Education & Testing
Pearson, College Board, ETS
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Manufacturing & Quality Control
Toyota, Ford, 3M
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The usual entry requirement is a bachelor's degree, and BLS says no work experience or on-the-job training is needed.
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The work is concrete and measurable: you can see the impact of cleaning data, fixing errors, and improving reports.
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The role builds transferable skills in spreadsheets, databases, and basic statistics that are useful in many industries.
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Median pay is $51,440 and mean pay is $55,470, which is solid for a support role that does not require a graduate degree.
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Because the job is computer-based, it can fit hybrid or remote setups better than many office jobs.
Challenges
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The occupation is projected to shrink by 2.5%, from 6.5 thousand jobs in 2024 to 6.3 thousand by 2034, so the field is not growing.
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There are only about 0.8 thousand annual openings, which means limited hiring in a very small occupation with 5,900 current jobs.
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The pay ceiling is relatively low for a bachelor's-level role, and moving up often means leaving the job for an analyst position.
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A lot of the work is repetitive checking, coding, and data entry, so the day-to-day can feel tedious.
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Basic cleanup and entry tasks are exposed to automation and better software, so workers who do not add analysis skills may find the role gets squeezed over time.
Career Progression
Entry-level data clerk
0-1 years
$32K-$41K
Starts with straightforward data entry, filing, and record checks while learning the team’s coding rules and reporting format.
Statistical assistant
1-4 years
$42K-$57K
Handles source-data cleanup, basic calculations, and routine reporting with enough independence to spot errors before they spread.
Senior statistical assistant THIS ROLE
4-7 years
$58K-$73K
Works on more complex datasets, prepares polished charts and summaries, and often becomes the go-to person for data quality issues.
Data analyst
7-10 years
$74K-$96K
Uses deeper analysis and more advanced tools to interpret results, answer business questions, and support decisions.
Analytics manager
10+ years
$97K-$125K
Leads reporting standards, reviews analysis work, and coordinates people and systems that turn raw data into business information.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, business, economics, or a related field
This is the typical entry point and the most common path, held by 59.21% of workers in the O*NET distribution.
Some college courses with strong spreadsheet and reporting experience
A smaller share of workers enter with some college courses; this path appears for 11.93% of workers in the distribution.
Master's degree in statistics, analytics, or a related discipline
An advanced degree is less common, showing up for 11.3% of workers, and it can help with a move into analyst or research roles.
Post-baccalaureate certificate in data analytics or research methods
A post-baccalaureate certificate is a smaller alternative path, listed for 2.07% of workers in the distribution, and it can strengthen job prospects for people already holding a degree.
Key Skills
Technical
Mathematics & Statistical Reasoning 85%
Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets 82%
SQL & Database Queries 78%
Python, R & Statistical Software 74%
Tableau & Power BI 69%
Data Cleaning, Validation & Coding 66%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingWritingActive Listening Job Outlook and Trends
+-2.5%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 6.5K to 6.3 K over the next decade, representing -2.5% growth. Around 0.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.