Statisticians
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Statisticians design and apply statistical principles and techniques for collecting, organising and interpreting quantifiable data, and use statistical methodologies to produce statistical reports and analyses for government, commercial and other purposes.
Specialisations: Biometrician, Demographer, Epidemiologist.
A bachelor degree in mathematics, statistics or another related field is needed to work as a Statistician. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Tasks
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Formulates mathematical models to simulate processes.
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Applies models to experimental observations, and adjusts and recasts the models.
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Uses numerical analysis methods to develop algorithms and perform computations.
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Liaises with management and clients to determine the subject or area to be surveyed or examined.
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Specifies the data to be collected, and the methodology to be used in collection and analysis.
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Evaluates and describes the reliability and utility of source information.
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Analyses and interprets data and produces relevant statistics to describe and infer particular trends and patterns.
Characteristics
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University
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Analytical
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Administrative
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Sedentary
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 72% of people employed as Statisticians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 41 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Statisticians work in industries like:
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Education and training
- Public administration and safety
- Health care and social assistance.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Statisticians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 27.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 22.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 14.1 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.7 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 15.1 | 1.9 |
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Around 86% of Statisticians live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
The Australian Capital Territory has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Australian Capital Territory
- Melbourne - Inner
- Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
- Sydney - City and Inner South
- Brisbane Inner City.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Statisticians is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 52% of the workforce. This is 4 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Statisticians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 5.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 29.8 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 29.2 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 39 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in mathematics, statistics or another related field is needed to work as a Statistician. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Statisticians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 52.3 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 34.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 2.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 2.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 6.3 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.7 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.8 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians who have strong attention to detail, can communicate clearly and can work well in a team.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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80%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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68%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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64%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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63%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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61%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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57%
ProgrammingWriting computer programs.
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57%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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57%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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55%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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54%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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52%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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50%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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48%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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48%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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46%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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41%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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37%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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89%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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71%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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64%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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53%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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47%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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42%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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38%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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29%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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24%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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23%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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22%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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22%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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21%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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21%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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21%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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17%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
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17%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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14%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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12%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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12%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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77%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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73%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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73%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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71%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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71%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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70%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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70%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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64%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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59%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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55%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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54%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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52%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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48%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
Speed of recognitionQuickly make sense of and organize things you can see like letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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41%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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92%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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88%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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80%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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80%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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78%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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76%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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75%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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72%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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72%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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71%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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70%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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65%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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64%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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64%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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62%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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58%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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58%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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57%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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51%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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49%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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90%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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86%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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33%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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76%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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71%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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67%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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67%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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43%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
Demands
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98%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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95%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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94%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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88%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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87%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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85%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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84%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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81%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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76%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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67%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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66%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
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63%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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63%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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62%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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55%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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54%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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54%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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51%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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51%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 15-2041.00 - Statisticians.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.