Having a solid background in mathematics, either from an undergraduate or post-doctorate program, can open many doors for you in this competitive job market. Due to the limited number of people who possess advanced math skills, professions that require math tend to pay extremely well.

Professor/Teacher

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Along with language teachers, math professors are some of the most sought-after kinds of teachers. Nearly every student who majored in mathematics is qualified to teach all levels of high school math, assuming she has had training as a teacher.

Computer Scientist

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Computer science relies on both theoretical math and a solid background in many types of algebra. One of the most common major combinations for college students is a computer science and math double; people interested in one tend to like the other as well.

Engineer

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The profession of engineer is one of the highest paying fields around. All types of engineers, from civil engineers to robotics engineers, require advanced math skills, including strong backgrounds in the mathematics of physics and motion.

Accountant

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The accounting profession requires working with numbers on a daily basis. While most functions performed by accountants don't require extremely advanced math skills, having a solid grasp on math principles is a job requirement.

Day Trader

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Working on Wall Street or in the stock market requires being able to make computations on a rapid-fire basis. For those working with firms like Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs, an understanding of derivatives and the mathematical relationship between markets and sets is a vital part of the job.

Cryptologist

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Cryptologists come up with ways to encode data, while concurrently using mathematical principles and programming to defeat the codes and secrets of other cryptologists. Graduate students from top mathematics programs are often recruited directly after graduation to work as cryptologists for the National Security Administration.

Actuary

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An actuary is a financial specialist who uses statistics and research to calculate risk and uncertainty. Large businesses hire actuaries to help make vital business decisions; due to the importance of the job function, actuarial work is extremely high paying.

Actuaries salary

• Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $196,010 ($94.24/hour)
• Median Annual Salary: $111,030 ($53.38/hour)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: Less than $66,030 ($31.75/hour)