20 Occupations where Analyzing Data or Information is a Key Activity

by Ethan Jones

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Analyzing data or information, which involves identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts, is an activity that can be grouped under information and data processing. Other activities in this group include

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Processing Information
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

The occupations where analyzing data or information is a major activity are listed below.

Astronomers
Astronomers observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, developing objectives and strategies, documenting and recording information, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interacting with computers, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, processing information, thinking creatively, training and teaching others and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $87,260 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 16.03%

Actuaries
Actuaries analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. They may also ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards, getting information, interacting with computers, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $87,650 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 21.37%

Economists
Economists conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. They may also collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively, training and teaching others and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $89,450 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 5.82%

Operations research analysts
Operations research analysts formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. They may also collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, service, or products. They may also develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include estimating the quantifiable characteristics of products, events, or information, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, scheduling work and activities, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $70,960 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 22.02%

Sociologists
Sociologists study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. They may also study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include coaching and developing others, communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, thinking creatively, training and teaching others and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $72,360 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 21.9%

Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. They may also develop the means for prevention and control. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, monitor processes, materials, or surroundings, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $63,010 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.13%

Biomedical engineers
Biomedical engineers apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $81,540 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 72.02%

Financial examiners
Financial examiners enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. They may also examine, verify, or authenticate records. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include coaching and developing others, communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, developing objectives and strategies, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards, getting information, guiding, directing, and motivating subordinates, identifying objects, actions, and events, interacting with computers, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, monitor processes, materials, or surroundings, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, resolving conflicts and negotiating with others, scheduling work and activities, thinking creatively, training and teaching others and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $74,940 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 41.16%

Geographers
Geographers study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $72,800 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 26.24%

Statisticians
Statisticians develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. They may also specialize in fields such as bio-statistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, interacting with computers, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $72,830 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 13.07%

Financial analysts
Financial analysts conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards, getting information, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $74,350 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.81%

Mathematicians
Mathematicians conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include getting information, interacting with computers, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $99,380 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 22.48%

Physicists
Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, estimating the quantifiable characteristics of products, events, or information, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $106,370 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 15.89%

Geoscientists
Geoscientists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. They may also use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. They may also study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, making decisions and solving problems, monitor processes, materials, or surroundings, processing information, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $82,500 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 17.52%

Political scientists
Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They may also study topics, such as public opinion, political decision-making, and ideology. They may also analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. They may also conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, judging the qualities of things, services, or people, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, thinking creatively and training and teaching others.
Median Annual Salary: $107,420 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 19.49%

Animal scientists
Animal scientists conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $58,250 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 13.15%

Mathematical technicians
Mathematical technicians apply standardized mathematical formulas, principles, and methodology to technological problems in engineering and physical sciences in relation to specific industrial and research objectives, processes, equipment, and products. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interacting with computers and processing information.
Median Annual Salary: $44,880 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 8.48%

Microbiologists
Microbiologists investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, documenting and recording information, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, monitor processes, materials, or surroundings, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, thinking creatively, training and teaching others and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $65,920 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 12.18%

Nuclear engineers
Nuclear engineers conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, evaluating information to determine compliance with standards, getting information, identifying objects, actions, and events, interacting with computers, making decisions and solving problems, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $99,920 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 10.95%

Survey researchers
Survey researchers plan, develop, or conduct surveys. They may also analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams. Other activitess that are most likely to be carried out by this occupation include coaching and developing others, communicating with persons outside organization, communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates, coordinating the work and activities of others, establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, getting information, guiding, directing, and motivating subordinates, interpreting the meaning of information for others, making decisions and solving problems, monitoring and controlling resources, organizing, planning, and prioritizing work, processing information, provide consultation and advice to others, scheduling work and activities, thinking creatively and updating and using relevant knowledge.
Median Annual Salary: $36,050 Projected 10-Year Employment Growth: 30.36%