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STEM careers are one of the highest paying on the job market. Working in STEM can also bring lots of opportunities for career development and growth, benefits, flexible work options, and other perks. It’s also fast-growing, expected to grow by 7.7% by 2030.
This is a great career field to be in for people who want to work in science and technology-related jobs. You’ll be challenged in your work and be introduced to new technologies that are discovered. There are also many diverse industries you can work in like healthcare, business, tech, and more.
In this article, we’re going to cover the best STEM careers to consider this year.
You’ll learn more about what STEM careers are all about and we’ll share 20 of the best STEM careers including:
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Median national salary
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Education requirements
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Number of jobs
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Job growth prospects
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Job duties
If you want to land a STEM career, start your job search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can easily apply for jobs with a single click. You can also upload your resume to ZipRecruiter’s resume database so that recruiters and employers can reach out to you!
What Are STEM Careers?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM careers cover a wide array of disciplines, careers, industries, and requirements. Some STEM careers require no college degree. Others require graduate-level education with skills and experience to match.
20 Of Best STEM Careers
These are some of the best STEM careers to get into.
1. Petroleum Engineer
Median National Salary: $130,850/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 28,500 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% by 2030
Job Duties: Petroleum engineers work to create and develop systems for extracting oil and gas from the earth (including land and sea). Petroleum engineers:
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Develop systems and methods for extracting oil and gas from the ground
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Design and monitor new and existing wells
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Review economic value of gas and oil wells
2. Physicist
Median National Salary: $147,450/year
Education Required: Doctoral or professional degree
Number of Jobs: 19,500 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% by 2030
Job Duties: Physicists study matter and energy. They conduct experiments to test theories. Physicists conduct experiments to prove or disprove theories in science. They may work independently or within a team of other scientists to develop scientific theories.
3. Aerospace Engineer
Median National Salary: $122,270/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 61,400 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% by 2030
Job Duties: Aerospace engineers work to design and develop aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. The job duties of aerospace engineers include:
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Designing and maintaining aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles
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Developing prototypes
4. Computer Hardware Engineer
Median National Salary: $128,170/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 66,200 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 2% by 2030
Job Duties: Computer hardware engineers develop and maintain computer hardware like circuit boards, computer memory, etc. The job duties of computer hardware engineers include:
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Designing, researching, and testing computer hardware components
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Monitor and test computer hardware and software to ensure compatibility
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Build, install or remove computer hardware
5. Cartographer
Median National Salary: $68,900/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 13,200 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 5% by 2030
Job Duties: Cartographers measure and interpret geographic information to develop and update maps. Cartography is about mapping. The job duties of a cartographer include:
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Developing and updating maps
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Analysis and compilation of geographic information
6. Computer Network Architect
Median National Salary: $120,520/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 165,200 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 5% by 2030
Job Duties: A computer network architect works on the planning of computer networks, showing how the network operates. The job duties of a computer network architect include:
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Creating comprehensive network plans
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Build and maintain data communication networks
7. Operations Research Analyst
Median National Salary: $82,360/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 104,100 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 25% by 2030
Job Duties: An operations research analyst reviews and evaluates data to solve problems within the organization using math and logic. The role of an operations research analyst is to ensure the organization is running as effectively and efficiently as possible. They use advanced data analysis and problem-solving tools for this, like data mining and statistical analysis.
8. Software Developer
Median National Salary: $110,140/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 1,847,900 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 22% by 2030
Job Duties: Software developers build, manage, and maintain computer software for companies. Software developers work with computer software programs. The role of their job is to design and manage computer programs that can help users.
9. Chemical Engineer
Median National Salary: $105,550/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 26,300 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 9% by 2030
Job Duties: Chemical engineers work with chemical manufacturing processes. They apply sciences like psychics, chemistry, biology and others for problem-solving which can include developing and testing production processes. Chemical engineering is a very important field, responsible for the safety measures put behind everyday products the general public uses like food products and more.
10. Psychiatrist
Median National Salary: $249,760/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 28,500 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 8% by 2030
Job Duties: Psychiatrists diagnose and treat patients for physical and mental psychiatrist illnesses. Psychiatrists help patients with psychiatric conditions like mental health disorders and/or substance abuse.
11. Pilot
Median National Salary: $134,630/year
Education Required: Flight training
Number of Jobs: 113,900 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 13% by 2030
Job Duties: Pilots fly aircraft like airplanes and helicopters. There are many different kinds of pilots like commercial airline pilots and military pilots, for example.
Related: Best Travel Jobs
12. Computer and Information Systems Managers
Median National Salary: $159,010/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 482,000 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 11% by 2030
Job Duties: Computer and information system managers are the tech professionals who plan, direct, and manage the computer systems-related projects for the organization. CIS (Computer and Information Systems) managers lead the organization’s computer-related strategy.
13. Financial Advisor
Median National Salary: $94,170/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 275,200 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 5% by 2030
Job Duties: Financial advisors help people with their personal finances. They’ll help clients plan their money and finances for the future. Financial advisors provide financial guidance to their clients on topics like saving, investing, and wealth-building.
14. Mechanical Engineer
Median National Salary: $95,300/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 299,200 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 7% by 2030
Job Duties: Mechanical engineers develop and test products and systems from engine parts, control parts, and semiconductor tools to prosthetic devices. Mechanical engineers can work on a variety of different products that are mechanical in nature. They build and test these devices and it can include things like:
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Robotics
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Semiconductor tools
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Thermal sensors
15. Financial Manager
Median National Salary: $131,710/year
Education Required: Bachelor’s degree
Number of Jobs: 681,700 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 17% by 2030
Job Duties: Financial managers develop long-term financial plans for organizations. Financial managers have job duties like:
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Creating financial reports
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Developing long-term financial strategies
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Data analysis
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Advising senior management
Related: Best Paying Jobs In Finance
16. Physical Therapist
Median National Salary: $95,620/year
Education Required: Doctoral or professional degree
Number of Jobs: 239,200 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 21% by 2030
Job Duties: Physical therapists help people regain movement, strength, and mobility including pain management through physical therapy. Some of the job duties of physical therapists can include:
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Patient consult and diagnosis
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Leading and guiding therapy exercise
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Massage
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Helping patients use assistive equipment like wheelchairs
17. Occupational Therapist
Median National Salary: $85,570/year
Education Required: Master’s degree
Number of Jobs: 131,600 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 17% by 2030
Job Duties: Occupational therapists use therapy to help patients to perform daily activities that have suffered physical illness, injury, or developmental deficits. Occupational therapy helps patients improve their motor function so they can perform everyday activities like self-feeding, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and other daily activities.
18. Health Services Manager
Median National Salary: $101,340/year
Education Required: Master’s degree
Number of Jobs: 429,800 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 32% by 2030
Job Duties: Health service managers work in the healthcare industry. They plan and manage the business activities of the healthcare organization. Medical and health service management is one of the fastest growing industries. Health service managers are office workers that help manage the business of healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and medical practices.
19. Nurse Practitioner
Median National Salary: $123,780/year
Education Required: Master’s degree
Number of Jobs: 271,900 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 45% by 2030
Job Duties: Nurse practitioner was ranked #2 in the best STEM careers in U.S. News Money. Nurse practitioners perform a lot of the same work as doctors like ordering lab work, physical exams, etc. Nurse practitioners provide primary and specialty care to patients.
For more information, check out our guide on how to become a nurse and what to include on a nursing resume.
20. Physician Assistant
Median National Salary: $121,530/year
Education Required: Master’s degree
Number of Jobs: 129,400 in 2020
Job Growth 2020 – 2030: 31% by 2030
Job Duties: Physician assistants diagnose and treat patients for illness, under the supervision of a physician. Physician assistants provide healthcare to patients within a team, in various disciplines like family medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, and more.
Where To Find STEM Careers
You can find STEM careers by searching online in job banks or job search websites. Here are some of the best places to find STEM careers online:
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is one of the top job search websites online. They’ve featured millions of job postings, allowing jobseekers to easily search for jobs, review salaries, and read jobseeker reviews. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers!
To learn more, check out our ZipRecruiter review.
Indeed
Indeed is one of the most popular job search websites. They have a simple setup that allows you to search for jobs by keyword and location. Indeed also shares company reviews and salary information so you can learn more about the prospective employer and job you’re applying to.
To learn more, check out our Indeed review.
Dice
Dice is a job search website geared toward helping candidates find tech jobs. It’s perfect for finding STEM careers. You can search tech careers, check out career events, look into their career development resources, and more.
Visit Dice to get started.
The Bottom Line
STEM careers are on the rise. There are many open positions on the job market with a lack of talent available to fill those positions. That’s to the advantage of job seekers looking to break into a STEM career.
Before you start your job search, make sure to check out our roundup of the best resume writing services so you can arm yourself with a professional, polished resume. To begin your job hunt, visit ZipRecruiter!