Math Skills & Your Job (Page 1 of 2)	
Math Skills & Your Job	
Almost all jobs require use of math.  Carpenters use math to 
measure lengths and angles to install wood trim on cabinets.  
Machinists use math to manipulate (change around) angles and 
dimensions to make airplane parts.  Bankers find customer's 
percent of debt (how much money is owed to bills)  to equity 
(how much money is left after paying bills) before approving 
that customer for a loan.  Grocery clerks use math to keep track 
of products on shelves to know when it is time to order more.  
To succeed in math, you must:  a) Attend class.  b) Get involved 
and ask questions.  c) Take time to do your homework.  d) Find study partners in class.  e) Se
ek help from 
teacher and tutoring.  f) Understand your mistakes.  g) Be organized.  h) Persevere — continue to work 
through hard times and failure.  Here is a list of jobs that require dif
ferent types of math --
 
GENERAL MATH SKILLS:  Add, subtract, multiply, divide, fractions, decimals, percentages	
Accounting & Auditing Clerks, Payroll Clerks
Bank Tellers, Loan Officers
Bartenders, Baristas
Cashiers & Counter Sales Workers
City Recreation Counselors, Sports Coaches
Construction Trade Workers, all
Dental Assistants & Dental Hygienists
Fundraiser (for non-profit group or political)
Glaziers (install/repair glass)
Hairstylists, Cosmetologists, Barbers
Landscape/Groundskeeping Supervisors/Workers
Legal Assistants & Paralegals
Medical Records Technicians, Medical Secretary Police Officers 
Postal Clerks & Mail Carriers
Practical/Vocational Nurses & Medical Assistants
Sales Associates, Sales Representatives (Traveling)
Secretaries & Office Clerks
Shipping & Receiving Clerks, Stock Clerks
Skin Care Specialists, Hair Stylists
Taxi Driver & Chauffeurs
Teacher Assistants & Preschool Teachers
Travel Agents & Tour Guides
Veterinarian Technicians
Waiters, Waitresses, Cooks
Wedding & Meeting Planners
PRACTICAL MATH SKILLS:  Requires general math, algebra, and geometry skills
Air Traffic Controllers & Aircraft Mechanics
Auto & Diesel Mechanics, Auto Body Repair Techs
Carpenters, Cabinet Makers, Roofers
Bricklayers, Tile Setters, Concrete/Stone Masons
Dietitians, Nutritionists & Chefs
Nuclear Power Plant Operators/Repairers
Electricians & Electronic Equipment Repairers
Engineering Technicians & Drafters
Fire Fighters, Forest Rangers
Heating, Air, Refrigeration Mechanics
Home Entertainment Equipment Technicians Industrial Machine & Robot Installers/Repairers
Inspectors & Product Testers
Lawyers, Paralegals
Machinists, Millwrights, Tool & Die Technicians
Motorcycle, Boat & Recreational Vehicle Repairers
Nurses & Health Technicians
Ophthalmic & Dental Laboratory Technicians
Physical & Occupational Therapists
Purchase Agents & Retail Buyers
Metal Workers, Iron Workers &  Welders
Stationary (large construction equipment) Engineers

Math Skills & Your Job (page 2 of 2)	
APPLIED MATH SKILLS:  Use of math concepts, formulas, and statistics to solve work
 problems 
Accountants  & Auditors
Aircraft Pilots & Navigators
Chiropractor, Physician, Podiatrist, Optometrists
College Professors (including non-math majors)
Computer Programmers & Software Developers
Construction & Building Inspectors
Dentists, Orthodontists & Dental Technicians
Engineering Technicians & Drafters
Bank/Stock Managers & Financial Managers
Managers & Top Executives (all industries)
Global Computer & Internet Security Specialist
Insurance & Insurance Underwriters
THEORETICAL (RESEARCH) MATH SKILLS:  Advanced math such as trig, calculus, and beyond Management Analysts & IT Consultants
Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians
Physician Assistants
Psychologists & Psychiatrists
Real Estate Agents, Brokers & Appraisers
Financial Services Sales Representatives
Social Media Marketing Strategist
Surveyors & Mapping Scientists & Technicians
Teachers & School Administrators
Technical Products Sales Representatives
Urban & City Planners
Veterinarians & Veterinarian Technicians
QUICK CHECK:
1.  Describe how the following workers use math:
  a) Carpenters.  b) Machinists.  c) Bankers
2.  To succeed in math, think of one reason why 
it is important to:  a) Attend class?  b) Do your 
homework?  c) Understand your mistakes?
3.  a) Define "persevere.  b) Why do you think it is 
important to persevere in math class?  
4.  a) List 7 general math skills workers need.
  Give one example of how these workers use 
general math skills:  b) Hair Stylist.  c) Baristas 
at Starbucks.  d) Police Officers.  e) Glaziers. 
5.  List 3 jobs that use general math skills that you
  think you can do today with your math skills.
6.  a) List 3 types of math required in jobs that use  practical math skills.  b) List 3 interesting jobs 
that use practical math.  c) Do you think it is 
worth the effort to learn algebra and geometry 
so that you can get hired into higher paying 
jobs?  d) Give a reason for your answer.
7.  Describe how these workers use math to solve 
work problems:  a) Pilots flying to Hawaii?  
  b) Orthodontists putting on braces?  
  c) Surveyors planning freeway?  d) Vet Tech 
giving medicine?
8.  a) List 3 interesting jobs that use math to solve 
work problems.  b) Do you think you may like 
using math to solve problems on your future 
job?  c) Give a reason for your answer.  
Actuaries (Insurance, Government Benefits)
Architects & Landscape Architects
Biological, Chemical & Medical Scientists
Computer Scientists & Systems Analysts
Economists & Social Scientists 
Engineers, All Types
Geologists, Geophysicists & Oceanographers
Mathematicians & Statisticians
Meteorologists  & Astronauts
Operations  Research Analysts
Physicists  & Astronomers
Prosthodontists & Orthopedics Surgeons Research Engineers & Research Scientists
Stock Market & Financial Research Analysts