Jobs For Math Lovers

If you love math, and want to make a living working with numbers, you're in luck. With some planning and knowledge, you can easily parlay your mastery of math into some very attractive numbers - a high salary.

The fact is that nearly every industry relies on numbers in one sense or another, whether it's for forecasts, analysis, or research.

Here are four high-paying, fulfilling careers for people who love to crunch numbers.

1. Actuaries
Many industries - insurance especially - need someone to figure out the probability that certain events will occur, and how to protect their bottom line in the event that they do. So if the idea of being a "professional fortuneteller" that relies on numbers instead of crystal balls appeals to you, get the skills and knowledge needed to become an actuary with a degree in business, statistics, or economics.

The payoff for a good actuary job can be hefty. The median annual wage for actuaries is $82,800, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And those on the top end of the pay scale can easily pull in more than $100,000 a year.

2. Marketing Managers
Forget probabilities...what if you were able to predict the demand for a certain product or offering? Or had the ability to identify new markets and competitive threats posed by other companies?

These kinds of predictions are made every day by marketing professionals. Nearly every company relies on marketers in their day-to-day operations and for their long-term planning. Not surprisingly, the person who manages this work, the marketing manager, is paid quite well, with an annual mean wage of $118,160.

To start towards a career as a marketing manager, an undergraduate degree in marketing and sales would be a great first step.

3. Accountants
As an accountant, your clients will provide you with their financial information. From there, you apply your mathematical expertise to the data to prepare their statements and complete their tax documents. For a lover of math, it could be a dream job, as much of the work involves just you and the numbers.

The pay for top accountants can be dreamy too. The U.S. Department of Labor lists the median annual income for an accountant at $54,630, with federal accountants averaging a yearly wage of $78,665.

The years ahead promise a higher than average growth in accounting jobs due largely to stricter guidelines on financial oversight for companies. So start preparing today by looking into bachelor's degree programs in accounting.

4. Information Technology Workers
Nearly all computer languages, networks, and systems are primarily based on numbers and math. Appropriately enough, an aptitude for math often translates into mastery over - and interest in - information technology.

IT workers are responsible for planning and facilitating all computer-related functions and activities for corporations and organizations. It's a far-reaching job that's essential in every field. The average salary for top pros in this field comes in over six figures, $101,580.

Prepare to put your math skills to the test in an IT career by exploring degree programs in IT and computer science.

As you can see, a love for numbers really opens up your job prospects and can be very rewarding, both financially and in terms of fulfillment. So embrace your inner mathematician, and let your unique skills land you a great new job.