30. Postsecondary atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences instructors teach courses in these scientific fields
Average 2018 annual salary: $101,890
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 9.5%
STEM score: 55.1
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 94
- Innovation: 87
- Science: 78
29. Computer and information systems managers plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming
Average 2018 annual salary: $152,860
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 12.0%
STEM score: 55.6
Top three STEM areas:
- Computers and electronics: 94
- Analytical thinking: 81
- Innovation: 68
28. Statisticians develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information
Average 2018 annual salary: $92,600
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 33.8%
STEM score: 56.2
Top three STEM areas:
- Mathematics: 97
- Analytical thinking: 94
- Computers and electronics: 76
27. Industrial engineers design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes
Average 2018 annual salary: $91,630
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 9.7%
STEM score: 56.4
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 86
- Analytical thinking: 86
- Innovation: 79
26. Web developers design, create, and modify websites
Average 2018 annual salary: $75,580
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 15.0%
STEM score: 56.8
Top three STEM areas:
- Computers and electronics: 85
- Analytical thinking: 79
- Programming: 78
25. Hydrologists research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters
Average 2018 annual salary: $82,790
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 9.9%
STEM score: 56.9
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 88
- Engineering and technology: 75
- Science: 72
24. Geoscientists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth
Average 2018 annual salary: $107,800
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 14.0%
STEM score: 57.1
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 90
- Science: 78
- Innovation: 73
22 (tie). Surveyors make measurements and determine property boundaries
Average 2018 annual salary: $66,440
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 11.2%
STEM score: 57.7
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 87
- Engineering and technology: 75
- Mathematics: 75
22 (tie). Postsecondary architecture instructors teach courses in architecture and architectural design
Average 2018 annual salary: $99,320
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 10.6%
STEM score: 57.7
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 92
- Design: 91
- Innovation: 85
21. Systems software developers research, design, develop, and test operating-systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software
Average 2018 annual salary: $114,000
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 11.1%
STEM score: 57.9
Top three STEM areas:
- Computers and electronics: 97
- Analytical thinking: 89
- Innovation: 78
20. Civil engineering technicians apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities
Average 2018 annual salary: $54,670
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.8%
STEM score: 58.4
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 87
- Design: 79
- Analytical thinking: 77
19. Postsecondary physics teachers teach courses in physics
Average 2018 annual salary: $103,830
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 10.0%
STEM score: 59.2
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 98
- Innovation: 95
- Computers and electronics: 77
18. Environmental engineers research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards
Average 2018 annual salary: $92,640
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.3%
STEM score: 59.8
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 91
- Engineering and technology: 88
- Design: 75
16 (tie). Petroleum engineers devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production
Average 2018 annual salary: $156,370
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 15.2%
STEM score: 60.4
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 95
- Analytical thinking: 88
- Innovation: 76
16 (tie). Postsecondary computer science instructors teach courses in that field
Average 2018 annual salary: $96,200
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.1%
STEM score: 60.4
Top three STEM areas:
- Computers and electronics: 87
- Analytical thinking: 86
- Innovation: 81
15. Operations research analysts formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making
Average 2018 annual salary: $88,350
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 27.4%
STEM score: 60.8
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 100
- Mathematics: 88
- Innovation: 84
14. Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms
Average 2018 annual salary: $105,940
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 11.5%
STEM score: 60.9
Top three STEM areas:
- Science: 91
- Analytical thinking: 91
- Innovation: 83
13. Computer-controlled-machine-tool programmers develop the means to control machining or processing of metal or plastic parts by automatic machine tools
Average 2018 annual salary: $56,300
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 16.3%
STEM score: 61.0
Top three STEM areas:
- Programming: 78
- Computers and electronics: 78
- Analytical thinking: 77
12. Electrical engineers research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems
Average 2018 annual salary: $101,600
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.6%
STEM score: 62.7
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 91
- Analytical thinking: 86
- Computers and electronics: 82
11. Astronomers observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena
Average 2018 annual salary: $111,090
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 10.0%
STEM score: 62.9
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 96
- Innovation: 87
- Computers and electronics: 84
10. Civil engineers perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities
Average 2018 annual salary: $93,720
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 10.6%
STEM score: 63.0
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 90
- Design: 81
- Analytical thinking: 78
9. Mathematicians conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques
Average 2018 annual salary: $104,870
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 29.7%
STEM score: 63.1
Top three STEM areas:
- Mathematics: 100
- Analytical thinking: 98
- Innovation: 87
8. Mining and geological engineers conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites
Average 2018 annual salary: $98,420
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.2%
STEM score: 63.7
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 94
- Engineering and technology: 87
- Mathematics: 69
7. Computer and information research scientists conduct research into fundamental components of that field
Average 2018 annual salary: $123,850
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 19.2%
STEM score: 64.3
Top three STEM areas:
- Computers and electronics: 90
- Analytical thinking: 79
- Innovation: 77
6. Postsecondary engineering teachers teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering
Average 2018 annual salary: $113,680
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 14.6%
STEM score: 66.9
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 96
- Innovation: 91
- Engineering and technology: 90
5. Agricultural engineers apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems
Average 2018 annual salary: $79,090
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.2%
STEM score: 68.1
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 91
- Analytical thinking: 87
- Design: 85
4. Applications software developers create and modify general computer applications software
Average 2018 annual salary: $108,080
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 30.7%
STEM score: 70.2
Top three STEM areas:
- Computers and electronics: 99
- Analytical thinking: 96
- Innovation: 84
3. Physicists conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories
Average 2018 annual salary: $125,280
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 14.5%
STEM score: 72.7
Top three STEM areas:
- Analytical thinking: 93
- Science: 88
- Mathematics: 85
2. Chemical engineers design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products
Average 2018 annual salary: $114,470
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 7.5%
STEM score: 73.6
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 100
- Analytical thinking: 97
- Design: 82
1. Mechanical engineers perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment
Average 2018 annual salary: $92,800
Projected employment growth between 2016 and 2026: 8.8%
STEM score: 75.7
Top three STEM areas:
- Engineering and technology: 97
- Analytical thinking: 95
- Innovation: 91