Math is an incredibly useful tool to have in your arsenal when looking for a job. It can open up many doors for you and will prove to be useful in your day-to-day life too. Many if not all companies that are actively recruiting, will place an emphasis on math as a desired skill. In some cases, it’s straight-up required to be able to do the job effectively. In these cases, companies are willing to pay handsomely for the right candidate who can demonstrate their skills across a variety of mathematical disciplines. With that in mind, we’ve broken down 6 highly paid jobs that are ideal for people that are good at math.
1. Architect
Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash Salaries typically range from $45,000 – $110,000+ (Depending on Role, Employer, & Experience)
Architects require mathematical skills on a day-to-day bases. For example, they use math to design efficient building layouts and to calculate angles for roofing and structural integrity. Without math, the job would be next to impossible and incredibly risky. This is why employers look for candidates who can demonstrate a high level of mathematical ability.
When it comes to applying for an architecture degree, students will need a qualification in calculus. Therefore, students will also be required to be skilled in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. To that end, we’d recommend taking a precalculus course as that will provide you with the knowledge you need to pursue a calculus course and then a degree in architecture.
2. Game Programmer/Designer
If you have a passion for video games and a talent for algebra and algorithms, you may want to consider a career in games development.
Game designers and programmers use math in almost every aspect of games design. From the height of a characters jump to the spawn time of an enemy ship, math is used for it all. Behind every kick in FIFA, shot in Call of Duty, and every drift in Forza, there’s math behind the scenes crunching numbers and determining outcomes. In world building, geometry is used to build incredible worlds and realistic environments to explore. Alternatively, algorithms can be used to procedurally generate in-game assets, offering a level of randomness and unpredictability to the game’s environments.
3. Astronomer
Salaries typically range from $50,000 – $125,000+ (Depending on Role, Employer, & Experience)
AOL placed this job as number 5 on their 10 Best Jobs for People Who Love Math. As an Astronomer, you would use math to test theories and to interpret the data you receive from looking up at the stars. Whether its how much light is being emitted by objects in the sky or the distance between certain planets across space, math is used to figure it out. Additionally, SIN COS TAN is used by astronomers when attempting to calculate the angular distance between two stars based off of their coordinates. With this in mind, it’s not hard to see why many colleges request that applicants to their astronomy programs should be competent in both math and physics.
4. College Professor/Lecturer
Salaries typically range from $30,000 – $100,000+ (Depending on Role, Employer, & Experience)
If you have a passion for education and want to share your passion for math with others, then perhaps a career as an educator would be a good role for you. Having said that, if you want to teach mathematics at a college level, you’re going to need to know what you’re talking about.
In general, it’s expected that as a high school lecture, you should have a qualification a few steps above your students. As a math professor in college, you should have a masters in the area you are teaching and should be well-versed in a variety of mathematical topics, unless you solely teach a very specific section of mathematics.
You’ll need to plan and deliver lessons that cater to all learners and their varying skill levels, and each lesson should adhere to the set curriculum as governed by the appropriate organizations of that country. This is why it’ essential that you know your stuff. You need to be able to convey how problems are solved in a way that your students can understand and demonstrate in their exams. As you progress in your career, you could take on additional duties and roles to increase your salary (Subject Leader, Head of department, Principal etc.)
5. Engineer
Salaries will range from $45,000 – $100,000+ (Depending on Role, Employer, & Experience)
In an article by Investopedia, it was noted that the median salary for an Aerospace Engineer is $112,010. It also goes on to discuss how math plays an integral role in the daily routine of the profession.
Whether you’re looking to be an aerospace engineer, computer engineer, construction engineer, or one of the many other disciplines in engineering, it’s safe to say that you’ll need math to help you complete your daily tasks.
Engineers will need to use algebra to help them solve unknowns, they will use their skills in geometry to help them with design work, and will use calculus to determine things like size, acceleration and weight of objects. Additionally, engineers will also use statistics to calculate foreseeable issues in design. For example, an engineer will need to know the typical rainfall stats for the region throughout the year, the varying wind speeds, and other environmental issues in order to construct a building suitable for the environment in which it is set.
Math will be one of the topics covered in your engineering degree programs and a prerequisite in topics like vectors, calculus and advanced functions may be required in order to apply for the program.
6. Accountant/Analyst
Salaries typically range from $45,000 – $70,000+ (Depending on Role, Employer, & Experience)
Being good at math will help you tremendously within accountant/analyst roles. As an accountant, you’ll need to analyse accounting records ahead of producing financial statements. You’ll also need to use accounting equations for liabilities, assets and stakeholder equities. If you’re looking to enter into a career as a financial adviser or analyst, you will need to have a strong understanding of statistics and probability to help you make more accurate decisions.
Preparing for Your Career
Those career paths mentioned above are just a few ways in which your love for math can translate into a fulfilling career. For a look at more jobs for math lovers, check out Business Insider’s article on the topic. If you’re keen on pursuing a college major or a career in any of these fields, developing your skills in math will be key to your success. Fortunately, there’s a website that can help you, StudyPug.
Through a fun and engaging video format, StudyPug is changing the way students learn. With 1000s of online video tutorials that cover a vast amount of mathematical topics including basic algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus, students the world over are developing effective revision strategies and improving their performance in math.
StudyPug’s content covers all the same information you’d expect to find in modern textbooks, but it’s delivered in a user friendly way that’s much easier to understand. As a subscriber, you’ll have unlimited access to every lesson on their website and each lesson can be paused, rewound, and fast-forwarded, so you’ll never get left behind.
Learn at your own pace and visit StudyPug today to try now.
