Data scientists in Applied Statistics collect, organize, display, analyze and infer from data. As astronomers use telescopes, statisticians use their computers to design studies and surveys, sample without bias populations, and determine limits of confidence in the results obtained. Data scientists contribute to every field of human endeavor, including emergent fields in natural, physical and health-related sciences, computer and information technology, weather, environmental quality, education, engineering, quantitative management, insurance and financial. In the scope of your career as a data scientist, you will probably work in several of these emerging interdisciplinary fields: Bioinformatics, Climatology, Computer Visualization and Animation, Data Mining, Economics, Ecology, Epidemiology, and Environmental Issues, Financial Systems and Engineering Marketing, and Nanotechnology.

Data science is rooted in statistics. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual wage for statisticians was $75,560 in May 2012, and employment of statisticians is projected to grow 27 percent from 2012 to 2022. The median annual wage for actuaries was $93,680. The American Statistical Association has more information about careers in statistics. Career Opportunities: Scientific Researcher Quality Control Risk Manager Operations Research Analyst Trust Management Teacher