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Fastest-Growing STEM Jobs in the US: How to Make More than $ 100,000

STEM students have excellent career prospects in the US because the subjects they study set them up for success. Despite the lay-off of tens of thousands of workers this year, occupations in the field continue to be in high demand.

According to a recent study, STEM-related jobs are likely to increase by nearly 800,000 by 2031. Mathematical and computer occupations are likely to get the highest gains.

Not surprisingly, more and more students are showing an inclination toward degrees in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Statistics show that 437,302 STEM bachelor’s degrees were awarded in the school year 2020-21. Additionally, students earned 146,573 Master’s degrees in STEM fields.

The numbers also spell stiff competition in the job landscape, but there’s still enough room to accommodate everyone. You can be a part of the fastest-growing industry and make more than $ 100,000 a year if you are ready to invest the initial effort in STEM education.

Here are a few occupations you can pick to make big money as a STEM graduate:

Physicists

If your interest lies in the complex realms of physics, you can expand your knowledge and build a successful career from it. Physicists work in offices or research laboratories in industries such as renewable energy, materials science, and telecommunications. Alternatively, you may explore the job of an astronomer employed in an observatory. A Ph.D. sets you up for occupations in research and academia.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth of 5% in the field from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average. Additionally, nearly 1,500 openings for physicists are projected each year over the next decade. Whichever occupation you choose in the field, you can command a substantial salary for your high-value skills. Notably, the median annual wage for physicists in 2022 was a whopping $142,850.

Chemists

Your love for chemistry can also set you up for a lucrative STEM career in the US. Besides making big money, you can earn acclaim for developing new materials, products, and industrial knowledge. If intricate concepts like the PF3 Lewis structure intrigue you, your future may lie in industrial chemistry. An interest in enzymes and biological concepts can take you toward a career in biochemistry and genetic engineering.

While these concepts may be challenging for a student, novel learning methods can simplify them. According to Proprep, visual representation through bite-sized videos can make them easy to understand, memorize, and recall. Once you understand the concepts inside-out, you can apply them at work.

Chemists and material scientists have bright career prospects in the US, with industrial growth poised to cross 6% from 2022 to 2032. Nearly 7,200 openings are projected in the field over this period. The median annual wage for these professionals was $104,380 in May 2022.

Actuaries

STEM careers aren’t only about engineering. Actuaries can also make big money in the US. These professionals apply the STEM areas of mathematics and statistics to analyze the economic costs of risk and uncertainty. Although the role is more toward financial theory, STEM graduates with a flair for money can make a career out of it. Most actuaries are employed as insurance consultants.

The numbers are impressive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of actuaries is estimated to grow 23% from 2022 to 2032, among the highest of all occupations. The field is projected to have nearly 2,300 openings each year over the decade. In 2022, actuaries earned a median annual wage of $113,990.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Another high-growth career option for STEM graduates in the US is that of Computer and Information Research Scientists. These professionals design innovative uses for existing and new computing technology. The field has a huge scope in the era of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things.

Like actuaries, computer and information research scientists are set to witness an occupational growth of 23% from 2022 to 2032. The landscape will witness an estimated 3,400 openings each year over the upcoming decade. The median annual wage for these professionals was $136,620 in 2022, making it one of the highest-paying STEM careers.

The Bottom Line

The list of the most lucrative and highest-paying STEM occupations in the US includes several other careers, such as cybersecurity experts, computer hardware engineers, computer network architects, agricultural engineers, and space scientists.

The options are endless, and you only need to find your calling to choose a perfect career. Although STEM is among the toughest academic fields, it can open opportunities for high income, growth, and stability in the long run. Remember that every step is worthwhile, no matter how challenging it seems.

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