Math = Money: Math & Future Earning

Want to Earn More? Get Better at Math.

As a math educator, I hear it every year without fail: “Why do we need to learn this?” or “When will I ever use this in real life?” I smile and reply, “Math is a gateway to opportunities that can change your life– especially financially,” said DC math teacher Brandon Frye.

And it’s true. Math + education = access to money. Access to careers with six-figure salaries. Access to economic mobility. Access to a future where financial stability isn’t just a dream, it’s a reality.

A 2024 Urban Institute study backs this up, finding that higher math scores in childhood directly correlate with increased earnings by age 30. Translation? Strong math skills mean bigger paychecks. And in fields where underrepresentation is overwhelming—medicine, tech, engineering—math is the key to breaking generational cycles of poverty.

Too many students, particularly those from under-resourced communities, lack access to effective math instruction. Lack of funding, systemic barriers, and inequitable resources leave students unprepared for careers that could change their economic trajectory. The math gap isn’t just an education issue—it’s an economic justice issue.

Here’s the good news: we can change this. When we invest in math education, we invest in futures. We equip students with the skills to enter high-paying fields, breaking down barriers that have existed for generations. If D.C. truly wants to create economic stability for all, the solution is clear—fund math education now.

The numbers don’t lie. If you want to make more money, get better at math.