
A Quick List of STEM Careers
The nation is in the midst of a STEM revolution and the next generation of thinkers will be leading it. As the world becomes more digitally dependent, those in science and technology careers continue to fuel innovation with bold ideas and game-changing prototypes. Additionally, more industries are turning to engineers, scientists and mathematicians to solve and prevent some of the world’s biggest problems in areas like big data and cybersecurity.
With STEM-focused careers on the front line of economic growth, students of these disciplines have more opportunities to find jobs that truly inspire, challenge and reward them. Whether you want to create the next big video game, build autonomous vehicles or design intelligent machines, there is a profession that can fulfill your deepest passions.
Below is a glossary highlighting both established and emerging careers in STEM including job titles, common variations of the job title, examples of companies who hire for these jobs, a brief job description, median pay, and the projected ten-year growth.
Read through the job descriptions to learn more about each role and see which STEM careers interest you the most. Afterward, explore our list of degree programs to find a concentration that aligns with your career goals and aspirations.
Job Title ![]() | Companies | Description | Median Pay ![]() | Projected 10-Year Growth ![]() |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aerospace EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Aeronautical Engineer | Lockheed Martin, The United States Navy, Orbital Sciences Corporation | Engineers, designs, constructs, and tests aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. This may also include materials research and the development of testing equipment. | 82,347 | 6.1 |
Analytics ManagerAlternate Job Titles:Data Scientist, Data Manager | Wells Fargo, eBay, Verizon | Configures, designs and implements data analysis solutions that help assess a service or product’s performance, risk, and satisfaction. | 135,148 | 8 |
AstronomerAlternate Job Titles:Planetary Astronomer, Stellar Astronomer | US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Computational Physics, Inc, Vanderbilt University | Conduct research and develop theories about the way the universe works. They use equipment including specialized telescopes, computer programs, and other tools to observe and test their theories. | 110,980 | 7 |
BiochemistAlternate Job Titles:Biomedical Engineer, Physician | University of Florida, NuGen Technologies, Boston Children's Hospital | Studies the chemistry of living processes. This includes growth, aging, death, cell development, bodily functions, diseases, drugs and medications, and the development of testing methods. | 58,809 | 8 |
BiologistAlternate Job Titles:Computational Biologist, Environmental Biologist | National Institute of Health, US Fish and Wildlife Service, CH2M Hill | Biologists study living organisms. They often work in a school or university setting or aid in research for private companies. | 52,403 | 8 |
Chemical EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Biochemical Engineer, Pharmaceutical Engineer, Thermo-Fluid Engineer | Dow Chemical Co., ExxonMobile Corp, Honeywell International | Solve problems that involve the production of chemicals in food, fuel, drugs, and a wide array of other products through the use of chemistry, biology, physics, and math. | 97,360 | 2 |
MathematicianAlternate Job Titles:Mathematical Modeller, Mathematical Technician, Statistician | GM Financial Group, Cybercoders, Radiance Learning | Formulate and solve practical problems through the use of mathematical theories and techniques. Mathematicians work in many fields including business, engineering, and government. | 111,110 | 21 |
PhysicistAlternate Job Titles:Geophysicist, Physics Researcher, Engineering Physicist | University of Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center, Air Force Material Command | Study the matter and energy of the universe. Develop models and theories to explain observed and theoretical interactions. | 110,980 | 7 |
PsychologistAlternate Job Titles:Behavior Scientist, Therapist | US Department of Veterans Affairs, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital | Study the human mind. Research behavior, memory, and mental health disorders. Determine methods to promote good mental health. | 72,580 | 19 |
Applications EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Software Application Developer | Texas Instruments, Oracle, Miracle Software Systems | Develops new systems and equipment, and redesigns existing systems to help companies meet consumer needs. | 87,869 | 19 |
Civil EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Architectural Engineer | Global Engineering Solutions, Jacobs, Huttig Building Products | Applies design and engineering principles to the construction of buildings, bridges, tunnels, roads, and other infrastructure. | 56,608 | 8 |
Big Data AnalystAlternate Job Titles:Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Analyst | Citi, Equifax, HP Inc. | Uses data to help companies make better business decisions. Analysts may collect data from sales, market research, logistics, transportation, manufacturing, etc., and interpret the findings to influence business decisions. | 83,878 | 19 |
Clinical Informatics AnalystAlternate Job Titles:Clinical Analyst | Phillips, Siemens, Cigna, Cleveland Clinic | Creates processes, procedures, workflows and systems for health care facilities. | 74,986 | 9 |
Quality Assurance ManagerAlternate Job Titles:Test Development Engineer, Software Tester | Amazon, Sapient, US Air Force | Assesses a company’s development, production, and manufacturing processes to meet external and internal requirements. | 105,344 | 0 |
Data ArchitectAlternate Job Titles:Business Intelligence Architect | IBM, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Amazon | Determines what data management systems are appropriate for a company’s needs. | 137,630 | 11 |
Data EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Software Engineer | Amazon, Capital One, Facebook | Uses knowledge of data mining, machine learning and programming to collect big data and create pipelines in which this information can be pulled. | 151,307 | 11 |
Gaming EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Video Game Programmer | Riot Games, Microsoft, Epic Games | Works in all phases of game development to concept, code gameplay, and test and troubleshoot the finished game. | 88,847 | 12 |
Software ArchitectAlternate Job Titles:Software Engineering Architect | Intuit, Oracle, Intel | Determines software coding standards, tools, and platforms to ensure a project’s quality. | 134,515 | 17 |
Solutions ArchitectAlternate Job Titles:Solutions Architect | Cerner, Cisco Systems, Dell | Designs an organization’s applications or services. | 125,509 | 6 |
UX DesignerAlternate Job Titles:User-Experience Designer | Amazon, IBM, MICROS Systems | Researches users’ emotional and functional needs to create and execute user-friendly mobile and web design experiences. | 107,880 | 13 |
Research & Development EngineersAlternate Job Titles:R&D Engineer | Caterpillar, Ford Motor Company, General Mills | Researches and invents methods, processes, and products, applying their knowledge to improve current standards and practices in order to fulfill a goal. | 95,586 | 0 |
Research ScientistAlternate Job Titles:Researcher, Research PI | MIT, Intel, Siemens | Plans and conducts experiments in order to test hypotheses. | 99,809 | 19 |
Process EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Manufacturing Process Engineer, | Intel, Texas Instruments, ExxonMobil | Modifies current processes or develops new manufacturing and industrial systems that reduce cost and risk. | 93,140 | 8 |
Software DeveloperAlternate Job Titles:Developer, Product Manager | Epic Games, General Motors, IBM | Researches, designs, programs, maintains, and tests computer software to meet a specific function. | 91,887 | 17 |
Computer ProgrammerAlternate Job Titles:Software Developer, Coder | IBM, LanceSoft, Fujitsu | Troubleshoots problems with computer software and equipment, and provides technical advice to users and organizations. | 75,402 | -7 |
Statistical EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer | TransUnion, Corning, Bose | Applies statistical theory to collect and interpret numerical data to find insights that can be used for decision-making and problem-solving in business, engineering, healthcare, and technology. | 77,252 | 34 |
Computer Support SpecialistAlternate Job Titles:Computer Tech, Technical Support Specialist | Lockheed Martin, Natsoft, Apple | Troubleshoots problems with computer software and equipment, and provides technical advice to users and organizations. | 50,998 | 10 |
Cost EstimatorAlternate Job Titles:Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Project Control Specialist | Rigid Global Buildings, Raytheon, Booz Allen Hamilton | Collects data and works with software to identify how much time, money, materials and labor are required to manufacture products, build infrastructure, construct a building or provide a service. | 65,495 | 11 |
Clinical AnalystAlternate Job Titles:Clinical Data Analyst | UnitedHealth Group, John Hopkins University, Highmark Health | Manages information within hospitals or clinics to ensure processes run efficiently. | 80,110 | 20 |
Health Information TechnologistAlternate Job Titles:Systems Analyst | Suncoast Hospice, Greenway Health, NTT Data | Ensures that the technology used to process, store, retrieve, and distribute medical data is accurate and secure. | 40,430 | 13 |
Biomedical EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Biomedical Research Engineer, | Aramark, FDA, Soma Technology | Improves healthcare outcomes by designing devices, concepts, and processes in medicine and biology. | 70,375 | 23 |
Supply Chain ManagerAlternate Job Titles:Purchasing Manager | PepsiCo, CGN Global, Caterpillar | Directs or coordinates production, purchasing, warehousing, or distribution to streamline activities and meet production needs. | 107,551 | 7 |
Logistics ManagerAlternate Job Titles:Planner | Ryder Systems, US Army, Amazon | Organizes storage and distribution of goods to ensure the right products are delivered to the right place at the right time. | 73,354 | 7 |
Materials ManagerAlternate Job Titles:Materials Supervisor | Lowe's, GE, Kraft Heinz Company | Plans and directs the process of buying materials, products, and services that are required for manufacturing or service delivery. | 80,322 | 2 |
Quality EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Manufacturing Quality Engineer | MathWorks, Adobe, Boston Scientific | Monitors the quality of manufacturing processes to discover, track, and fix defects within systems. | 82,566 | 10 |
Operations AnalystAlternate Job Titles:Operations Research Analyst | Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America | Identifies and solves process problems relating to customer information, internal procedures, or business issues. | 63,119 | 27 |
Industrial EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Industrial Design Engineer | Boeing, Intel, UPS | Improves productivity, operational efficiency, and quality of industrial processes and systems. | 79,002 | 10 |
Manufacturing EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Manufacturing Design Engineer | Ford Motor Company, GE, Boeing | Improves, creates, and tests machines in manufacturing processes for optimal performance. | 82,031 | 10 |
Mechanical Design EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Mechanical Engineer | GE Aviation, Sensata Technologies, Tesla | Creates and improves the current design of machinery for production and operational efficiency. | 66,227 | 9 |
Electromagnetic EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Electromagnetic Design Engineer, Electromagnetic Effects Design & Analysis Engineer | GE Healthcare, Boeing, Garmin | Designs linear induction and linear synchronous motors, other magnetic products and the applicable control systems. | 72,142 | 7 |
Semiconductor EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Semiconductor Design Engineer | Intel, L3 Technologies, Corning | Designs, tests, and manufactures the essential building blocks of all modern electronics from computers to medical devices. | 163,416 | 7 |
Electrical EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Engineer - Electric Power, Electrical Design Engineer | Motorola, GE, Lockheed Martin | Creates electrical systems, products, components, materials, and applications by applying knowledge of electricity and materials. | 91,459 | 7 |
Simulation Systems EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Simulation Engineer | Qualcomm, Cessna, Huntington Ingalls Industries | Analyzes, designs, debugs, and tests distributed interactive simulation and/or high-level gaming architecture applications. | 89,221 | 9 |
Information Security EngineerAlternate Job Titles:IT Security Engineer, Information Assurance Analyst | Booz Allen Hamilton, Wells Fargo, Lockheed Martin | Helps businesses safeguard sensitive data like client data and financial records from security breaches and hackers. | 117,558 | 56 |
Computer Systems AdministratorAlternate Job Titles:Systems Administrator, Sysadmin | MCS Global, Amsoft, US Federal Government | Installs, configures, and tests the computer environment between the host and the local area or wide area network. | 78,322 | 6 |
Computer Hardware EngineerAlternate Job Titles:Hardware Engineer | Intel, Oracle, Larsen & Toubro | Researches, designs, and tests computer equipment relating to hardware, such as circuit boards, processors, and routers. | 118,755 | 3 |
Computer Network ArchitectAlternate Job Titles:Network Architect, Computer Network Engineer | VisionSoft, Introlligent, Fourth Technologies | Designs and builds data communication networks that can range from a local loop to globally distributed networks. | 110,500 | 9 |
Web DeveloperAlternate Job Titles:Front End Developer, Full Stack Developer, Web Designer | Google, LinkedIn, Wells Fargo | Develops websites and applications over distributed networks from a web server to a web browser. | 93,402 | 27 |
Database AdministratorAlternate Job Titles:Database Specialist, Database Admin | Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, Fujitsu | Installs, configures, and manages the operations, maintenance, and security of databases within a business or organization. | 93,164 | 11 |
Information TechnologistAlternate Job Titles:Information Technology Analyst | UPS, US Navy, Chevron | Ensures that computers and telecommunications networks process, store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data efficiently. | 63,797 | 13 |
Health Information TechnicianAlternate Job Titles:Health Information Analyst | Mercy, Scripps Health, State of Wisconsin | Verifies the completeness and accuracy of medical records and sensitive medical documents. | 41,571 | 13 |