STEM jobs continue to be a hot commodity. The field offers promising benefits, a world of opportunity, high paying positions and much more, but did you know that seven of the 10 largest STEM jobs involve computers? The Bureau of Labor Statistics data offered up some surprising insights for people considering a STEM Career.

STEM Careers

  • STEM careers bring in an average of $85,500 in wages which is nearly double the average of other occupations.
  • Out of the 10 largest STEM careers, 7 are computer related.
  • The highest paying STEM career is a petroleum engineer, averaging +$147,000 annually.
  • STEM jobs are increasing rapidly. The industry represents about 6.2% of the total U.S. employment. In 2014, there were over 8.3 million STEM related jobs, that’s up 9% from 2010.
  • STEM wages can change greatly depending on the industry as well as geography.
  • There are some areas of the U.S. that have a higher concentration of STEM careers.
    • Massachusetts and Virginia are among the highest percentage of STEM employment. They also have about 2.9 and 2.6 times as many systems software developers, than the national average.

Surprising Facts About STEM Careers

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, are tools that are building the future, so it’s no wonder STEM careers continue to flourish. If you’re considering a career transition into STEM these surprising facts might push you in the right direction.