STEM Jobs That Require a College Degree 

Over the last decade, STEM occupations have grown at a much faster pace than non-STEM occupations (24.4 percent compared to only 4.0, respectively). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 projections, employment in certain STEM occupations is projected to increase by 2026.

Despite such growth, women remain underrepresented in engineering (14 percent), computer (25 percent) and physical science (39 percent) occupations. The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) reports that a mere 23 percent of employees in STEM fields are women.

 

 

Physician Assistant - Physician assistants practice medicine working alongside doctors/physicians, surgeons and other healthcare workers. They diagnose and treat patients. They work in physicians’ offices, hospitals and outpatient clinics.

  • Median annual wage: $104,860.
  • Education: Aspiring candidates need a master’s degree from an accredited educational program. All states require physician assistants to be licensed.
  • Projected increase in employment: 37.3 percent.

Statistician 

Statisticians analyze data and apply statistical techniques to help solve real-world problems in engineering, business, healthcare and other fields.

  • Median annual salary: $84,060.
  • Education: Master’s degree in statistics is required but some positions may only require a bachelor’s.
  • Projected increase in employment: 33.8 percent.

Software Developer - Software developers develop the applications that allow users to do tasks on the computers or other devices.

  • Median annual salary: $101,790.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science is required along with strong programming skills.
  • Projected increase in employment: 30.7 percent.

Mathematician - Mathematicians analyze data and apply mathematics to real-world problems in engineering, business, healthcare etc. Mathematicians work in the federal government and in many private research and engineering companies.

  • Median annual salary: $103,010.
  • Education: Master’s degree in mathematics is required.
  • Projected increase in employment: 29.7 percent.

Information Security Analyst - Information security analysts are responsible for protecting an organization’s computer networks and systems. They plan and carry out security measures against cyber attacks. Information security analyst may work for computer software firms, government agencies, business and financial and consulting firms.

  • Median annual salary: $95,510.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree is required in a computer-related field. Most employers may require some experience in the related field.
  • Projected increase in employment: 28.5 percent.

Actuary 

Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to assess and analyze financial costs of risks and uncertainty and help their clients or businesses develop policies to minimize the costs of such risks.

  • Median annual wage: $101,560.
  • Education: Aspiring candidates require a bachelor’s degree and must pass series of exams to become certified professionals. They must have a strong background in mathematics, statistics and business.
  • Projected increase in employment:  21.5 percent.

Computer and Information Research Scientist - Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for businesses, medicine and science.

  • Median annual salary: $114,520.
  • Education: Master’s degree in computer-science or a related field is required.
  • Projected increase in employment:  19.2 percent.

 

Financial Manager 

 Financial managers are responsible for managing the financial health of a company. They create financial reports, direct investment activities and strategies and plans for long-term financial goals of a company.

  • Median annual wage: $120,080.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of experience as an auditor, accountant, securities sales agent may be required.
  • Projected increase in employment:  18.7 percent.

 

Nurse Anesthetist - Nurse anesthetists help with patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. They are also called advanced practice registered nurses. They work in physicians’ offices, hospitals and clinics.

  • Median annual wage: $165,120.
  • Education: Master’s degree is required plus must be licensed in their state and pass a national certification program.
  • Projected increase in employment:  16.2 percent.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Gynecologists/Obstetricians, commonly known as OB-GYN are physician specialists who specialize in women’s reproductive health—have expertise in childbirth, pregnancy and disorders of the reproductive system. Obstetricians take care of women during pregnancy and soon after a baby is born.

  • Median annual wage: $208,000.
  • Education: It requires a bachelor’s degree, degree from a medical school which takes four years to complete and then depending upon specialization, three to four years of residency or internship.
  • Projected increase in employment:  15.5 percent.

 

Registered Nurse - Registered nurses provide patient care, educate patients about health conditions; and depending upon the patient condition, provide emotional support to them and their families. They work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing care facilities, schools and military.

  • Median annual wage: $70,000.
  • Education: Aspiring candidates may take three paths to this field: a bachelor’s of science in nursing; an associate’s degree in nursing; or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
  • Projected increase in employment:  14.8 percent.

Physicist - Physicists study how forms of matter and energy interact. They design and perform experiments with particle accelerators, electron microscopes and lasers.

  • Median annual salary: $113,830.
  • Education: May require a Doctoral degree for jobs in research and academia. Jobs with federal government may require a bachelor’s degree in physics.
  • Projected increase in employment:  14.5 percent.

Clinical, Counseling, or School Psychologist - Psychologists study emotional, cognitive and social behaviors by observing, interpreting and recording how individuals interact with each other their environment and what impact it has on them. Psychologists may work with schools, physicians, social workers or have their own private practice.

  • Median annual salary: $75,090.
  • Education: Doctoral or professional degree in psychology. Most psychologists may also need to be licensed.
  • Projected increase in employment:  14.1 percent.

Geoscientist (excluding Hydrologists and Geographers) 

 Geoscientists study composition, processes and structure of the earth to study its past, present and future changes. They may work in offices and laboratories or outdoors for fieldwork (research and investigations).

  • Median annual salary: $89,850.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in geosciences, geology, physics or related field for entry-level positions. A master’s or a Ph.D. is required for higher positions or if interested in research or teaching positions.
  • Projected increase in employment:  14 percent.

Atmospheric Scientist - Atmospheric scientists study weather and climate. They work in laboratories and weather stations. Their job involves fieldwork where they examine weather conditions.

  • Median annual wage: $92,070.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science or related field is required. For research positions, a master’s or a Ph.D is needed.
  • Projected increase in employment: 12 percent.

Computer and Information Systems Manager - Computer and information systems manager plan, coordinate and direct computer-related activities in an organization.

  • Median annual salary: $139,220.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer and information science and related work experience.
  • Projected increase in employment:  12 percent.

Database Administrator - Database administrators use specialized software to store and organize data. They are responsible for data security from unauthorized access but also make sure that valid users have access to data.

  • Median annual salary: $87,020.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in information or computer-related field is required.
  • Projected increase in employment:  11.5 percent.

Environmental Scientist 

 Environmental scientists use their knowledge and expertise in natural sciences to examine the environment and protect human health. They may work in government as advisers on environmental issues or with industry to reduce waste. They gather data and monitor environmental conditions.

  • Median annual wage: $69,400.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in natural science or science-related field.
  • Projected increase in employment:  11.1 percent.

 

Financial Analyst - Financial analysts help individuals and businesses with investment decisions or help manage investments for them. They assess performance of stocks, bonds and other investments.

  • Median annual wage: $84,300.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance
  • Projected increase in employment:  10.9 percent.

Natural Sciences Manager - Natural sciences managers supervise work of scientists, such as chemists, biologists and physicists. They coordinate activities such as quality control, testing and production as well as direct activities regarding research and development.

  • Median annual salary: $118,970.
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in natural science or related field.
  • Projected increase in employment:  9.9 percent.

 

References

https://money.usnews.com/careers/slideshows/the-25-best-stem-jobs-for-2017?slide=17

https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/nuclear-technicians.htm

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/09/7-facts-about-the-stem-workforce/

https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2017/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem-occupations-past-present-and-future/home.htm

https://www.careeraddict.com/the-stereotypes-of-the-stem-career

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/atmospheric-scientists-including-meteorologists.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/natural-sciences-managers.htm