Statistician career

Kaimātai tauanga

Statisticians use mathematical theory to collect, examine and summarise statistical data for organisations, clients and the public.

Statisticians use mathematical theory to collect, examine and summarise statistical data for organisations, clients and the public.

What would you do as a Statistician?

Statisticians

  • usually work regular business hours
  • usually work in offices
  • need to be methodical, accurate and identify and solve problems

Tasks

  • collect and combine data from different sources
  • assess data quality
  • prepare data for statistical analysis
  • use statistical methods to analyse data
  • build mathematical models
  • create data graphics
  • write reports to show data analysis
  • present statistics to others
  • design data collection methods

How can you become a Statistician?

You need a qualification to become a statistician.

You need

  • a bachelor's degree in mathematics and statistics OR software engineering and computer science

You may need

  • a postgraduate certificate or diploma in mathematics and statistics or similar
  • a Master of Applied Statistics or similar

If you're in school

You need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job.

Qualifications

View all qualifications

Study a Data Analytics major in our Bachelor of Science, where you'll build the statistical, analytical and technical skills this career needs. Pair it with a Mathematics major for a stronger grounding in the theory behind statistical methods. Like all our undergraduate degrees, it includes work-integrated learning.

To specialise further, our Master of Data Science offers an endorsement in statistical modelling.

View all qualifications

Statistician FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

Find a scholarship

QS rankings

QS World University Rankings 2027

Waikato is ranked equal 293rd globally, placing us in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide, and 2nd in New Zealand by citations per faculty.

QS Sustainability Ranking 2026

Waikato is ranked 116th globally for sustainability, including 34th worldwide and 1st in NZ for Environmental Sustainability.