Overview
Mathematics professionals in state government use quantitative analysis to help agencies understand problems, evaluate options and make informed decisions. They may analyze data, build models, assess risk, forecast trends, evaluate program outcomes or translate complex information into practical recommendations.
This work supports many areas of state government, including budgeting, public health, transportation, insurance, taxation, education and environmental protection. It may be a good fit for people who enjoy working with numbers, solving complex problems and using data to improve public programs and services.
What You Might Work On
In state government, professionals in this field often:
- Analyze data to identify trends, patterns or risks that affect agency decisions
- Build models or forecasts to support planning, budgeting, policy development or program evaluation
- Review financial, actuarial, economic or statistical information to help agencies manage resources and comply with requirements
- Translate quantitative findings into reports, dashboards or recommendations for decision makers
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Like using numbers and data to answer real-world questions
- Enjoy analytical, detail-oriented work that requires accuracy and critical thinking
- Are interested in applying math to public issues like health, transportation, finance, education or the environment
- Can explain technical information clearly to people who may not have a quantitative background
Where You Could Work
State government is broad—so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to make (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: Mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Budget and financial planning: New York State Division of the Budget
- Revenue and taxation: Georgia Department of Revenue
- Insurance regulation: Pennsylvania Insurance Department
- Transportation planning and analysis: Washington State Department of Transportation
Sample positions
Insurance Rate and Policy Analyst I
| Employer / agency | State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Division |
| Location(s) | Oahu, Hawaii |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role help protect the public interest by reviewing insurance rates and policy filings for compliance with state insurance laws. |
In this role, you may:
- Analyze insurance rate and policy filings, including proposed rule changes and insurer rate filings, to determine whether they comply with state requirements
- Conduct research, study statistical data and prepare reports or recommendations for review by supervisors or the insurance commissioner
Public Utility Analyst I
| Employer / agency | Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Auditing and Performance Analysis |
| Location(s) | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role help ensure that Floridians receive essential utility services in a safe, reasonable and reliable manner. |
In this role, you may:
- Review and analyze utility data, records and filings related to rate-setting proceedings and other regulatory matters
- Verify information, conduct independent analysis and communicate findings in writing to support the commission’s oversight of public utilities
Junior Investment Professional
| Employer / agency | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Public School Employees’ Retirement System, Investment Office |
| Location(s) | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania / Hybrid |
| Mission context | Public servants in this role help manage investment strategies that support pension benefits for Pennsylvania public school employees. |
In this role, you may:
- Analyze performance, attribution, portfolio positioning and risk data across public market investments
- Support internal and external investment teams by monitoring strategies, preparing analysis and participating in meetings with partners
