In Demand STEM Careers

STEM education can be extremely valuable. With the significant amount of technology used in today's world across nearly all industries, STEM positions are in high demand. As such, these positions feature above-average pay. STEM-educated individuals contribute to a nation’s overall economic success. In response to the widening gap between STEM opportunities and qualified individuals, efforts continue increasing to make STEM education opportunities more equitable and accessible. 

Below, you can explore the salary, outlook, and education requirements of a selection of STEM careers while detailing each's responsibilities.

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What is STEM?

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects and careers have been a major topic of discussion in recent years, with STEM careers relating to one or more of these fields in high demand and educational initiatives designed to help more learners get the skills and knowledge needed to enter these fields. Many advantages exist when pursuing a career in STEM. The education requirements will put you in a position to be flexible in your career path, and you will also have many opportunities and potentially higher compensation than non-STEM graduates.  

Another exciting part of choosing a STEM field is knowing you are at the forefront of innovation, helping promote new ideas and the use of new technologies that can improve the world. 

Examine each STEM category further, including the careers you may want to explore. 

Read more: What Is an Undergraduate Degree?

STEM careers in science

Science careers in STEM include a variety of sciences and the jobs that come with them, such as physics, chemistry, and environmental sciences. Here are four in-demand science careers: biochemist, epidemiologist, genetic counselor, and agricultural scientist. 

1. Biochemist

Median annual salary (US): $107,460

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 9 percent [1]

Requirements: Biochemists generally will have earned a PhD,  plus a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biochemistry or a related field such as biology or physical science as qualifications for some entry-level research positions.

As a biochemist, you will perform basic and applied research using advanced technologies such as lasers, X-rays, and high-powered computers to study DNA sequences or analyze the consequences of using or combining different substances. 

2. Epidemiologist

Median annual salary (US): $81,390 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 19 percent [2]

Requirements: A master’s degree in public health or a related field is the minimum requirement, with some epidemiologists earning a doctoral degree in medicine or epidemiology. 

As an epidemiologist, you will investigate diseases and outbreaks, allowing us to understand who is potentially at risk and how an illness is prevented or treated. In this role, you can specialize in areas such as public health and emergency response, chronic diseases, infectious diseases, or child health. 

3. Genetic counselor

Median annual salary (US): $95,770 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 16 percent [3]

Requirements: To become a genetic counselor, you need a master’s degree in genetic counseling and state-based licensure and certification. 

As a genetic counselor, you will assess the risk of inheriting different conditions or congenital disabilities based on family history. You will also inform patients about testing options and provide insight related to genetic disorders while providing them with support during this process. 

4. Agricultural scientist

Median annual salary (US): $76,400

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 8 percent [4]

Requirements: Agricultural scientists generally need a bachelor's degree in agriculture or a related field. 

As an agricultural scientist, you often specialize in a specific area, such as livestock, soil, or plants. In this role, you will perform research to maintain food products’ safety and quality. They also measure the productivity and sustainability of different livestock or crops. 

STEM careers in technology

Many careers come under the umbrella of the technology category of STEM. You can consider different IT and computer science-related technology careers, such as an information security analyst, software developer, data scientist, or web developer.:

1. Information security analyst 

Median annual salary (US): $120,360

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 33 percent [5]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is necessary to become an information security analyst. However, some employers require certification, such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification as well.

As an information security analyst, you will ensure the company's computer network systems are secure and protected in case of a breach. In this role, you will install firewalls and perform tests to identify potential weak spots. 

2. Software developer

Median annual salary (US): $130,160 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [6]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field such as information technology, math, or engineering. 

As a software developer, you will use your programming skills to build and design software systems. In this role, you can choose from many different industries where your software development skills are valued, as companies in virtually all industries benefit from computer applications. 

3. Data scientists

Median annual salary (US): $108,020

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent [7]

Requirements: You will need at least a bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, mathematics, or a related field to become a data scientist, with some employers requiring a master’s degree. 

As a data scientist, you will use analytics, statistics, and computer programming to take and process large amounts of data to derive valuable insights from it. In this role, you can also build predictive models using machine learning techniques to give the company access to a greater volume of information. 

4. Web developer

Median annual salary (US): $92,750

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 8 percent [8]

Requirements: Exact requirements will depend on the employer and position, as web development positions are skill-dependent. In some cases, formal education will be optional, depending on your abilities and previous experience. Bachelor’s degrees may be in web design, digital design, or graphic arts.

As a web developer, you can choose between front-end development, back-end development, or even a full-stack position where you have both responsibilities. As a front-end developer, you will build the portion of a website seen and interacted with by the user. In contrast, the back-end developer creates the framework of a website, such as the databases and security functions.

Read more: Top 5 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs + How to Get One (2024)

STEM careers in engineering 

Engineers perform challenging tasks for the betterment of society using math and scientific principles. Engineers solve all kinds of complex problems, giving you the potential to create life-changing solutions. Many career options exist for engineers, including chemical engineer, civil engineer, aerospace engineer, and biomedical engineer.

1. Chemical engineer

Median annual salary (US): $112,100

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 10 percent [9]

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field is needed to become a chemical engineer.

As a chemical engineer, you will design and implement processes for transporting, transforming, and producing materials. In this role, you can transform raw materials into useful products through a manufacturing process.

2. Civil engineer

Median annual salary (US): $95,890

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent [10]

Requirements: Civil engineers need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a similar field, such as engineering technologies. If you’re working in public service, you will typically need a license.

As a civil engineer, you will design, build, and maintain structures in our environment, from water resource systems to roads and bridges. You may also research new materials and methods for building infrastructure in this role.

3. Aerospace engineer

Median annual salary (US): $130,720

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent [11]

Requirements: You will need a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, and some employers prefer candidates from specific accredited programs.

As an aerospace engineer, you will design, develop, and produce aircraft and spacecraft. In this role, you can face challenges related to atmosphere and spaceflight, requiring extensive knowledge of aerodynamics, propulsion systems, vehicle dynamics, and more. 

4. Biomedical engineer

Median annual salary (US): $100,730 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent [12]

Requirements: Minimum requirements typically include a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, or a similar field. Some positions will require a master’s degree.

As a biomedical engineer, you will develop devices and systems faced by medical professionals and patients. In this role, you may work on projects like medical software that controls complicated instruments, prosthetic limbs, implanted devices, and artificial organs.

Read more: 10 High-Paying Engineering Jobs in the US

STEM careers in math

While math is an essential component of many science, technology, and engineering careers, some positions involve math as the central focus of your work. Four in-demand math careers to consider include statistician, actuary, mathematician, and financial manager.

1. Statistician

Median annual salary (US): $104,860

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 11 percent [13]

Requirements: While some positions require only a bachelor’s degree, statisticians typically need a master’s in mathematics or statistics.

As a statistician, you will apply statistical methods and models to problems faced by organizations. In this role, you will gather statistical insights from data that can help companies in their decision-making process. With companies having access to increasingly large amounts of data, statisticians are becoming more crucial.

2. Actuary

Median annual salary (US): $120,000 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 22 percent [14]

Requirements: You will need a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, actuarial science, or a similar field, and you might need to gain certification, which requires passing a series of exams. 

Actuaries work in different industries, such as insurance, government, health care, and employee benefits departments, to analyze the financial consequences of taking certain risks. This allows businesses to better understand the risks involved with making certain decisions and protect against potential losses.

3. Mathematician 

Median annual salary (US): $104,860

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 11 percent [13]

Requirements: Mathematicians typically need a master’s degree in mathematics, with a bachelor’s degree being acceptable for some entry-level positions.

As a mathematician, you will develop new theories and concepts for publications, teaching, or applying your math knowledge to solve business problems. In this role, you will use math concepts in practical engineering, finance, accounting, and more applications. 

4. Financial manager

Median annual salary (US): $156,100

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent [15]

Requirements:  You will need a bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, or a related field to become a financial manager.

As a financial manager, you will oversee an organization's financial operations. Financial managers are critical to a company's success. In this position, you will use math and analytical skills to manage risk, project profits, and direct investments.

Learn more about STEM.

As you can see, STEM careers are varied and encompass many different fields. Many careers in science, technology, engineering, and math have faster-than-average projected growth, representing employment opportunities for years to come. 

On Coursera, you can find many highly rated courses and programs where you can gain knowledge and insight related to different STEM careers. If technology interests you, Princeton University's Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose can help you gain valuable programming skills used in modern computing environments. 

If you want to learn more about the world of mathematics, consider taking Stanford's Introduction to Mathematical Thinking course, available on Coursera. In this course, you will see how mathematicians approach problem-solving in real-world scenarios.