Apply statistics to health and biological data. Biostatisticians design surveys, analyse epidemiological data from island-wide field studies, and build the databases the Ministry of Health & Wellness uses to monitor the health of the population.
Salary Breakdown
Graduate analyst posts at about Band 7 on the restructured scale ($3,501,526 - $4,709,163 per annum). Indicative placement; entry statistics roles are not advertised under this exact title.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($4,105,345 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $4,105,345 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$123,160 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$82,106 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$89,599 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$519,956 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $3,290,522 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
High School & CXC Subjects
Pass CSEC Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology and English. CAPE Pure Mathematics and Biology keep both statistics and health-science routes open.
5 years (Forms 1-5) - 2
BSc in Statistics, Mathematics or Biostatistics
Complete a first degree in statistics or a related quantitative field. Learn R, Stata, SPSS or Python.
3 years - 3
Research or Data Analyst Role
Gain experience analysing health, survey or biomedical data in a ministry, regional health authority, research unit or NGO.
2 - 3 years - 4
Master's in Biostatistics or Epidemiology (recommended)
With a master's, MOH asks for three years' experience; with only a bachelor's, it asks for five years plus training in epidemiology/research.
1 - 2 years - 5
Bio-statistician (SOG/ST 6)
Design data collection, run multivariate analysis, maintain statistical databases and report on health status.
3 - 5 years - 6
Senior Statistician / Manager
Lead monitoring and evaluation or research units.
5+ years
Required Education
- CSEC/CXC Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, English, Biology
- CAPE Pure Mathematics
- Bachelor's degree in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Statistics or related field
- Master's degree in Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Statistics (preferred)
- Training in epidemiology or research methods
Common Local Certifications
- Training in epidemiology / research methods (MOH requirement)
- Statistical software proficiency (R, Stata, SPSS, SAS)
Where to Train
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI) - Department of Mathematics (Statistics)
- University of the West Indies, Mona (UWI) - Caribbean Institute for Health Research
- University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech)