Amazing jobs you can do with your Maths degree

Congratulations on pursuing a degree in Mathematics! You have chosen a field that is not only intellectually stimulating but also opens up a world of exciting career opportunities. From analysing financial risks to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, the skills you develop as a Maths graduate are highly sought after in various industries. 

In this blog post, we will explore some amazing jobs you can pursue with your Maths degree, showcasing your diverse and impactful roles in shaping the world around us.

5 most popular jobs and national average salaries for UK Maths graduates: 2018-2023

1. Programmers & Software Developers: 

• Graduate Software Engineers: Initial salaries typically range from £28,000 to £35,000 per year, reflecting the demand for new entrants in the tech industry.

• Experienced Software Engineers: With a few years of experience, software engineers can expect to earn between £40,000 and £60,000 annually, depending on their skills, the complexity of their work, and the industry sector.

2. Secondary Education Teachers: 

• In England and Wales, NQTs start at the lowest point of the main pay scale for classroom teachers. This scale ranges from £28,000 to £34,502 annually, depending on the location. Higher pay rates are applied in London and its surrounding areas to reflect the higher cost of living.

3. Actuaries, Economists & Statisticians: 

• Actuaries: Starting salaries for graduate actuaries typically range from £25,000 to £35,000.

• Economists: Similar to actuaries, economists often begin their careers within the same salary range, with potential increases to £40,000 or more with a few years of experience

• Government Statisticians: For those starting outside of London, salaries begin at around £26,000 for statistical officers and £29,000 for assistant statisticians, reflecting the structured pay scales within public service.

4. Finance & Investment Analysts:

• Entry-Level Graduates in London: Starting salaries range from £28,000 to £40,000, with the potential for substantial bonuses—ranging from 10% to 100%—during the first three years, reflecting the high-performance expectations and lucrative nature of the industry in the capital.

• Outside London: Starting salaries tend to be lower, with entry-level positions often beginning at around £22,000. This difference highlights the geographic salary disparities and the concentration of higher-paying opportunities in larger financial centres.

5. Chartered & Certified Accountants:

• Starting salaries for accountants can be influenced by various factors, including location, sector, size, and type of firm. Graduates in this field can expect to earn up to £40,000, indicating a robust entry-level compensation that reflects the critical role and stringent qualifications required in accounting.

Top Industries that typically require a Maths degree

1. Banking, Insurance, and Investment

Maths graduates play a crucial role in the financial sector by using quantitative analysis to model risks and returns. Whether you're working for a bank, insurance company, or investment firm, your expertise in statistics and probability will be invaluable in making informed decisions that drive business success. From predicting market trends to developing complex algorithms for trading strategies, there is no shortage of opportunities for graduates in this dynamic industry.

2. Tech Industry

The tech industry relies heavily on mathematical concepts such as algorithms, data analysis, and machine learning. As a Maths graduate, you can work as a data scientist, software developer, or cybersecurity analyst, leveraging your problem-solving skills to tackle real-world challenges. 

Whether you're optimising search engine algorithms or developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, your mathematical expertise will help drive innovation and shape the future of technology. Maths and computer science together create more opportunities than ever before for those who study and work in these fields.

3. Scientific Research and Education

Mathematics is at the heart of scientific discoveries and breakthroughs in fields such as physics, biology, and engineering. With a Maths degree, you can contribute to groundbreaking research projects that advance our understanding of the universe and solve complex problems facing society. Who knows, you might become the next renowned astronomer or meteorologist, using Maths to unlock the secrets of the cosmos or predict weather phenomena. 

Additionally, many graduates find fulfilment in teaching future generations of mathematicians, inspiring students to explore the beauty and power of numbers. In these roles, you use mathematical theories and formulas to explain much more than just textbook problems; you use them to explain the world.

4. Government Agencies and NGOs

Government agencies and non-profit organisations rely on mathematical expertise for policy analysis, public health modelling, and infrastructure planning. As a graduate working in these sectors, you can make a tangible impact on society by using data-driven insights to inform decision-making processes. 

Whether you're analysing population trends or optimising transportation networks, your analytical skills will be instrumental in addressing pressing issues facing communities worldwide. Maths graduates have the unique ability to work with complex data and make informed decisions that can improve people's lives.

Growing Interest in Mathematical Degrees

According to an analysis by the Office for Students, over the nine-year period from 2010 to 2019, there has been a consistent increase in the number of graduates in Mathematical Sciences. This trend, as shown in the graph above, reflects a stable, if not growing, interest in the field among students, underscoring the diverse career paths a Maths degree offers (Office for Students, 2020).

5 Most Popular Jobs for UK Maths Graduates: 2018-2023

Progression of the Top 3 Job Sectors for UK Maths Graduates from 2013 - 2023

The graph above shows the career paths that Mathematics graduates pursued from 2012 to 2023/24. The data reveals changing trends in the job market and the evolving interests and skills of graduates:

1. Growing Interest in IT Sector: There is a noticeable increase in the number of mathematics graduates who are pursuing careers in the IT sector. In 2012, only 10.2% of mathematics graduates opted for IT jobs, however, this figure has almost doubled to 20.5% by 2023/24. This trend indicates a significant shift towards technology-oriented roles, which can be attributed to the ongoing digital transformation across industries and the rising demand for tech skills. The most common job titles in this sector include programmers, software development professionals, and IT consultants.

2. Steady Increase in Education Sector: The education sector has shown a gradual increase in interest, with numbers rising from 9% in 2012 to 12.4% in 2023/24. This could be due to a growing recognition of the value of Mathematics in educational roles or an increase in opportunities within the sector. Typical roles in this field include Mathematics Tutors, Secondary Education Teaching Professionals, and Educational Researchers.

3. Fluctuations in Business, HR, and Finance: The business and finance sector continues to be the top choice for Maths graduates. In recent years, it has fluctuated slightly, with its highest percentage being 41.9% in 2018/19 and settling at 41.2% in 2023/24. This is because Maths skills are versatile and useful in many roles, such as Actuaries, Financial Analysts, and Business Consultants.

Maths graduates are increasingly drawn towards the IT sector due to the growing tech industry and its lucrative opportunities. The Education sector also shows a steady interest, indicating a sustained demand for Maths educators. 

Although the business, HR, and finance sectors have seen some fluctuation, they remain a cornerstone for maths graduates, underscoring the fundamental role of mathematical skills in business and financial analysis. These trends highlight the adaptability and diverse applicability of Maths degrees in the modern job market.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, pursuing a degree in Mathematics opens up a world of possibilities across various industries and sectors. Whether you choose to be a computer scientist, architect, astronomer or meteorologist, your mathematical expertise will be highly valued and impactful. So embrace your passion for numbers and problem-solving—amazing job opportunities await you with your degree! 

Remember, mathematicians like you are the architects of the future, using logic and theory to build solutions that have never been thought of before. Your career in Maths is about much more than calculations; it's about using logic and creativity to solve real-world problems.