AI can now write analysis code, run models and explain the output in plain words. That covers a lot of routine statistics. Statisticians are the people who design the study, choose the right method and say whether a result can be trusted.
The short answer: AI is changing statistics work, but demand is growing. The ILO's 2025 index puts mathematicians, actuaries and statisticians in gradient 3, with a score of 0.56. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11 percent growth for statisticians from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed statisticians are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematicians, Actuaries and Statisticians | Gradient 3 | 0.56 |
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Statisticians | Grow 11% | In total |
| Mathematicians | Grow 1% | In total |
| Mathematicians and statisticians, total | Grow 10% | About 2,000 |
The BLS links growth to wider use of statistical analysis in business, healthcare and policy, and to the growing amount of digitally stored data. It is a small occupation, so strong growth means a modest number of jobs. Statisticians typically need a master's degree.
What AI is taking on
- Writing analysis code and cleaning data.
- Running standard models and tests.
- Drafting charts and plain-language summaries.
- Searching documentation and methods.
What stays with the statistician
- Design: planning surveys and experiments so the data can answer the question.
- Method: choosing the right test and knowing its assumptions.
- Validity: checking bias, uncertainty and whether a result holds up.
- Checking AI help: AI-written code and interpretations can be confidently wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Routine coding goes faster with AI, and more organizations want statistical judgment on their data. Being the person who can tell when an AI analysis is wrong is a growing part of the job.
See also will AI replace data analysts?, will AI replace actuaries? and will AI replace market research analysts?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for mathematicians and statisticians at $105,720 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: master's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace statisticians?
Not on current evidence. The ILO puts statisticians in gradient 3, but the BLS projects 11 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
Can AI do statistical analysis?
It can write code and run standard models, but study design, method choice and validity checks still need a statistician.
How many statistician openings are expected?
The BLS projects about 2,000 openings a year for mathematicians and statisticians combined.
What education do statisticians need?
The BLS says statisticians typically need a master's degree, though some entry-level jobs accept a bachelor's.