15+ STEM Careers: Average Salary & Growth Predictions (2024)

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The Ultimate Guide too STEM Careers

STEM programs open the doors to many career options. STEM professionals have a wide range of opportunities to explore different areas such as aerodynamics and biochemistry. Some STEM students apply technical skills to politics or education. Read further for information regarding a career in science and technology.

STEM careers are amongst the safest and highest-paying jobs available. STEM, an acronym for Statistics, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is famous for its barrier of entry that weeds out university prospective students, thus creating a large amount of demand for people with STEM skills.

As technology continues to advance in the world, the skill set of the average employee starts to adapt to those changes. It is becoming more common for people to have quantitative and technological skills, so you should consider investing in a STEM career to find jobs in these high-demand fields. New technologies are continually emerging, creating a vast landscape of STEM jobs for those equipped with the necessary expertise.

Table of Contents

An Overall Outlook

STEM-oriented careers have been solid and safe for decades. Major events like the COVID pandemic have influenced STEM-oriented careers. Take this for example, before the pandemic, major agencies like the Major Global Health and Biodefense Unit were disbanded, which contributed to how unprepared the United States was for the pandemic.

Now, there is a large increase in demand for epidemiologists, statisticians, health policy analysts, and other public health officials. These STEM occupations are crucial in addressing current and future health crises.

The biotech industry has expanded the demand for STEM careers as well. Molecular scientists, nanotechnology engineers, and biotech engineers have become highly desirable jobs in the industry. According to Grandview Research, the biotech industry is expected to grow by 14% by 2030. STEM disciplines in biotech are evolving rapidly, requiring professionals to adapt and innovate.

The world is in a new era of artificial intelligence. AI has influenced every industry, increasing the demand for machine learners to help train AI. Professionals typically working in fields like computer science and engineering are now branching into AI development and implementation.

Data is one of the most valuable commodities. Industries from tech to marketing all consider it a premium asset. STEM careers have branched largely into Big Data, Data Analytics, and Data Science. Existing ones in these fields have evolved to meet new demands.

Fields that revolve around protecting data, such as cybersecurity, data forensics, and penetration testing, have grown in conjunction with the demand for data. Government jobs have also increased the demand for these types of specialties as other countries like Russia and China invest in hacking. These fields require professionals with specialized skills to safeguard critical information.

15+ Best STEM Careers

This is a list of flagship STEM jobs across various STEM disciplines. These brief explanations cover what they do, their median annual wage, and their expected growth, as cited from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Science

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Environmental Scientist

These scientists study the influence that people have on their surroundings. A large amount of analytics and statistics goes into becoming an environmental scientist, as they need to be able to gauge the influence people have on the environment and develop solutions to solve these issues. Environmental scientists need to deal with compliances, policies, and other bureaucratic roadblocks when developing their studies and solutions. Their research is then applied to a product, usually designed by environmental engineers.

Median Salary: $79,000

Projected Job Growth: 6%

Biomedical Scientist

This scientist conducts research and experiments to advance understanding in the biomedical and healthcare fields. Biomedical scientists are often well-educated in genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, and other biological processes. They are usually associated with R&D careers and are tasked with developing solutions for various diseases, viruses, and treatments for other conditions.

Median Salary: $110,000

Projected Job Growth: 10%

Physicist 

Physicists explore the interplay of movement, energy, space, and other aspects of the material world. This expertise makes them ideal candidates for R&D departments across various industries. In recent years, the popularity and recognition of alternate energy, electric cars, and aerospace have surged. Physicists, as key STEM professionals, are often at the forefront of these advancements. Additionally, physicists' strong foundation in mathematics and logic equips them well for roles in consulting and analytics.

Median Salary: $149,000

Projected Job Growth: 5%

Microbiologist

Since the pandemic, there has been a rise in biologists specializing in studying viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens related to illnesses. Microbiologists analyze blood, urine, and various microscopic samples to advance our understanding of medicine and genetics. Diagnostics and research are the primary skill sets associated with microbiologists. Beyond medicine and technology, microbiologists are also involved in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Median Salary: $85,000

Projected Job Growth: 5%

Biochemist

This job involves studying technologies at a molecular level. Understanding molecular mechanisms, such as enzymes, proteins, and metabolites, is crucial for developing pharmaceutical products. Biochemists research and develop components for drug discovery. Their expertise in molecular structures makes them ideal researchers for pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, biochemists are in high demand in the rapidly growing food science industry.

Median Salary: $107,000

Projected Job Growth: 7%

Technology

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Software Developer/ Engineer

These developers use coding to design, produce, and maintain software apps and platforms. Software developers are the workhorses of many companies. They utilize programming languages like Python, Ruby, Java, and C++ to develop products, as well as increase the efficiency and effectiveness of preexisting software. Developers frequently handle tasks like debugging and documentation as part of their daily responsibilities. It’s a career that requires continuous self-learning to stay relevant in the fast-evolving field of technology.

Median Salary: $130,000

Projected Job Growth: 25%

📚Further reading: How to Lean in and Become a Software Developer

Data Scientist

Data scientist excels at gathering extensive datasets and leveraging them to make informed decisions. They harness the power of data analysis, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques to extract valuable insights and patterns from complicated data. By interpreting these findings, they contribute significantly to strategic decision-making processes within professional organizations across various industries. Data scientist is tasked with making sense of information from databases, social media, APIs, and user interactions. They must also analyze any data that lacks coherence or contains missing information, interpreting it in a manner that yields valuable insights.

Median Salary: $108,000

Projected Job Growth: 35%

📚Further reading: Best Data Scientist Cover Letter with Tips and Examples

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts are primarily in charge of cybersecurity in firms. These analysts need to evaluate cyber threats such as breaches and malware to a company's system, network, and databases. They have to stay up to date with trends in cybersecurity, evaluate the current tools their company is using, understand the inner workings of information systems, and consult on ways to further improve information security. They also need to regularly assess and explain the risks associated with the strategies their company will use. Additionally, understanding the role of information technology is crucial in ensuring comprehensive security measures.

Median Salary: $120,000

Projected Job Growth: 32%

Computer Systems Analyst

A system analyst encompasses various roles, including handling automation, organizing and monitoring project progress, and maintaining systems and other IT infrastructure. This STEM career demands strong communication skills, more so than many other careers in the field. It requires an understanding of collaboration, business processes, networks, and quality assurance. Computer system analysts must work effectively with multiple departments and solve complex problems within tight deadlines.

Median Salary: $103,000

Projected Job Growth: 10%

Web Developer

Web developer specializes in developing websites or applications for websites. They are proficient in web languages. They design the interactions that the user has with websites using languages like HTML and CSS (front-end development). Some also work on the functionality of the website, writing code using languages like Python, PHP, and Ruby (back-end development). Web developers who are adept at both ends are often called “full-stack”. Many users' first interactions with a company are through visiting their website, so web developers need to be up-to-date on web development trends to avoid making their company feel antiquated.

Median Salary: $92,000

Projected Job Growth: 16%

📚Further reading: How to Create a Web Developer Portfolio

Engineering

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Biomedical Engineer

This engineer specializes in developing and designing devices and machines that enhance medical equipment and technology, such as prosthetic limbs, MRI machines, laser surgery tools, implants, radiation therapy equipment, and contact lenses. Biomedical engineering is an interdisciplinary field that requires knowledge of biology, mechanical engineering, and medicine. A significant amount of research is necessary to excel in this field. Biomedical engineers also need to be proficient in quality assurance and compliance, as they work with products that directly impact people's well-being.

Median Salary: $100,000

Projected Job Growth: 5%

Mechanical Engineer

This career revolves around crafting impactful hardware products. Mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology professionals are diverse and can apply their skill sets across many different industries. Traditionally, automobiles and aerospace were among the larger products built by mechanical engineers. Recently, robotics and alternative energy have become significant in the field. Mechanical engineers need to collaborate with other engineers to ensure that machine functions work in harmony. Project management is a day-to-day skill that most mechanical engineers develop as they advance in their careers.

Median Salary: $99,000

Projected Job Growth: 10%

📚Further reading: Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for a Mechanical Engineer Job

Civil Engineer

Most of the infrastructure you encounter has been engineered by a civil engineer. They use their engineering expertise to build bridges, dams, roads, sewers, airports, and railroads. Since civil engineers work on projects that often impact the public, they frequently interact with government officials. Civil engineers also need collaboration skills to work closely with architects, who play a crucial role in the design and aesthetics of structures. Civil engineers differ from architects in that they focus on the functionality and safety of the infrastructure they are building.

Median Salary: $95,000

Projected Job Growth: 5%

📚Further reading: Samples and Tips for a Civil Engineer Cover Letter

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers apply their engineering skills to produce circuitry, processors, sensors, and many other microelectronics. These engineers are commonly employed in manufacturing companies. They design systems to ensure that energy is properly transferred. Electrical engineers have to troubleshoot so that the electronics they’ve engineered are not prone to overloading, and are energy-efficient, safe, and cost-effective. Electrical engineers are heavily involved in the R&D departments in the telecommunications, computers, semiconductors, and automotive industries. They also play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of electric generators, ensuring efficient and reliable power generation.

Median Salary: $109,000

Projected Job Growth: 5%

📚Further reading: How to Write a Cover Letter for an Electrical Engineer Job

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers are the professionals who build airplanes, spacecraft, helicopters, satellites, and missiles. These engineers apply their knowledge to create effective structures for aerial travel. Aerospace engineers focus on designing wings, landing gear, propellers, engines, and hulls. Aerospace is a sensitive field where mistakes can be catastrophic. Aerospace engineers are methodical and conduct extensive structural analysis and prototype testing. They handle system integration daily, ensuring that many factors work in perfect harmony to maintain functional safety in aircraft.

Median Salary: $130,000

Projected Job Growth: 6%

Mathematics

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts focus on solving problems and optimizing systems. They collect large amounts of information and utilize it to make their companies more efficient. Operations research analysts also identify deficiencies and present effective solutions. Their skill set includes analyzing data with statistics and creating presentations to assist upper management in making crucial decisions.

Median Salary: $83,000

Projected Job Growth: 23%

Statisticians 

Statistics is a key discipline for understanding data, which is a prime commodity in today’s industry. Statisticians acquire data and analyze it using data models. They use their skills to investigate past mistakes, predict probable outcomes, calculate risk/reward, and describe current phenomena. Statisticians also need to communicate their findings to people who may not have a STEM background and are proficient in visualizing data with graphs and charts.

Median Salary: $104,000

Projected Job Growth: 30%

Mathematician

Mathematics is fundamental to most STEM-related careers. Traditionally, mathematics is an academic discipline, but when applied to the private sector, mathematicians become highly valuable problem solvers in a company. Mathematicians apply their extensive knowledge of logic, rational thinking, and quantitative analysis to a wide variety of fields.

Recently, mathematicians are in high demand in the tech industry, where they generate powerful algorithms to complete tasks. They are often at the forefront of emerging fields like machine learning, quantum computing, and AI. Mathematicians frequently compete for some of the highest-paying jobs in finance, where they work as quants, actuaries, and financial engineers.

Median Salary: $104,000

Projected Job Growth: 30%

Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts play a crucial role in helping companies understand their customers. They gather data and organize trends to assist management in making informed decisions for their firm. Market analysts identify unexplored opportunities in the market and areas for improvement in the company's current strategy. They need to stay updated with industry trends while also making accurate forecasts of sales projections, supply of goods, and changes in consumer behavior.

Median Salary: $74,000

Projected Job Growth: 13%

How to Start a Career in STEM Fields?

Assessing Your Interest

Even though most STEM careers are quant-heavy, they all emphasize different things. Identifying what type of field you want to excel in is pivotal to beginning your STEM journey.

If you want to manage projects, use creativity, design structures, and create things that have a direct impact, then becoming an engineer may seem valuable to you.

If you want more abstract work, where you may need to do research and venture into the unknown while conducting experiments, then a mathematician or a scientist plays to those strengths.

Individuals whose intellectual strengths and preferences lean more toward gathering data, analyzing information, and presenting may look into statistics or market research.

STEM careers offer diverse opportunities to solve real-world problems and make significant contributions to society. You can also experiment with career aptitude tests to hone in on which careers you want to focus on. CareerExplorer provides an interesting test that will also suggest to you an ideal career and multiple related fields.

Educational Foundations

A proper education is fundamental to building a strong career in STEM. Most STEM fields revolve around analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Knowledge of specific tools and languages is useful, but upgrading how you think is what makes STEM careers so valuable and flexible.

Taking courses that focus strongly on mathematics will give you the best bang for your buck. Math is easily applicable to most careers in STEM, and usually, the most difficult aspect of STEM is mathematics, so becoming adequate at math will open up many educational paths. Secondarily, taking basic courses in computer science or programming is highly beneficial. Learning how to manipulate a computer will go far in your career, and just intermediate literacy on the topic will open up many more STEM careers than someone who is relatively computer illiterate.

📚Further reading: Licenses & Certifications on a Resume - An Easy Guide

Choosing Your Degree

You can have a STEM career with nearly any level of college education, but your options will change depending on how advanced a degree you get.

Associate’s Degree:

Associate degrees can provide valuable, applicable skills. Degrees in fields such as computer science, IT, web development, and mathematics can equip you with the skills needed to pursue a successful freelance career.

Bachelor's Degree:

Four-year degrees give you the best return on investment. Most jobs in STEM will be available to you after completing four years of undergraduate study. Four-year degrees are usually requirements for jobs in engineering, science, and quantitative analysis.

Master’s Degree:

Master’s degrees are more useful for specialized roles. Often, high-level researcher positions require graduate-level training. Many STEM professionals looking to advance their careers may be better off getting a graduate degree in business than another STEM degree.

Doctoral Degree:

Doctoral degree programs are usually tuition-free, but they require a significant time commitment (4-6 years). If you're pursuing a career in scientific research, obtaining a doctoral degree can be a beneficial end goal, as there are lucrative positions available in fields such as engineering, computer science, and big data. However, it is important to note that a doctoral degree is far from a requirement to jump-start your career.

Gain Experience in Relevant Fields

Like any field, getting experience is pivotal to building a competitive resume. You may run into a paradoxical problem of “How do I get experience when all job listings require that I have experience?” The easiest way to get past this problem is to volunteer.

You can reach out to many people in STEM jobs and ask them to lend a helping hand. This can be done at any age, ranging from high school to well into adulthood. You’ll not only learn about the field you’re interested in and gain skills, but you will also have a foundation for your network.

Internships are another way to get into a STEM job. Many universities have extensive internship networks. Oftentimes, your counselor will do much of the legwork for you, but it will also be beneficial to send applications alongside. One of the biggest factors in landing a good internship is good grades and relevant coursework, so take the courses that teach the skills that are commonly listed on internship requirements.

Alternatively, you can create your own project or join other projects. This is very common in closely related fields revolving around technology. You can develop an app, or a website, or participate in hackathons with others in the community. Outside of tech, there are opportunities to create your research projects, such as in-depth surveys and analysis, that can be a bridge to market research. These activities not only help you gain experience but also demonstrate your ability to solve problems, a key skill in any field requiring technical expertise.

Get the Skills You Need

Each STEM career path has its own unique set of skills, and they’re all learnable. You do not need to be a genius to be competent in any particular area for a STEM career.

Here are some core skills needed for various STEM careers:

  • App Developer: Programming languages, SQL, frameworks
  • Mathematicians and Physicists: Matlab, quantitative finance, mathematical modeling
  • Statisticians: Data learning, data visualization tools, statistical modeling
  • Engineers: Calculus, project management, technical writing
  • Security Analyst: Forensic tools, cryptography, OS security systems

The following technical skills are frequently required in STEM careers: programming languages, databases, Agile methodologies, statistics, linear algebra, calculus, machine learning, and AI. While technical skills are the primary barrier to entry that many people struggle with when breaking into STEM, soft skills are what set you apart from others with hard skills.

People in STEM are often stereotyped as having subpar social skills. Focusing on your soft skills is a good way to counter this stigma. Important soft skills you will need include communication, organized planning, critical thinking, collaboration, and empathy. The most integral soft skill for someone in STEM is continuous learning. STEM careers are among the fastest-changing fields, and building the habit of staying up to date will always keep you ahead when applying for new jobs.

Key Takeaways

STEM careers are challenging and intellectually demanding but offer excellent job security and competitive pay. Your skills are likely to be in demand and highly transferable to other well-paying careers.

Understanding what you want to do is the first step to finding a job in STEM. Start by building up your skills and experience. Reading resources like Cake can provide you with improvement strategies and tips for learning what you need.

Cake is a free resume maker and portfolio builder that provides you with hundreds of resume templates (free download) and various job resume examples that help showcase the best you. Landing your dream job will be a piece of cake!

— Originally Written by Christopher Grudge

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