30 fast-growing, high-paying jobs that will dominate the digital workplace - and the skills you'll need to get them
30. Postsecondary atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences instructors teach courses in these scientific fields
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
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