What Are The Highest-Paying STEM Jobs In The USA?

Starting a career in STEM is an advantage as the world is now embracing tech. Businesses now have to strategize and reinvent themselves to accommodate the changes in the world so that they do not become obsolete. Due to this reason, the demand for STEM professionals is on the increase, thereby giving them an edge in the labour market. 

Top 15 highest-paying jobs in the USA

1. Petroleum Engineer

This is part of the highest-paying jobs in the STEM field. Petroleum Engineering is the part of engineering that deals with activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be crude oil or natural gas.  Petroleum engineers are responsible for developing methods through which oil and gas can be extracted from the earth. It is a known fact that the world functions on energy, and it is necessary for human activities, thereby making petroleum engineering an important and high-demand course. Petroleum engineers work in offices or at drilling and well sites. 

Average Salary Range: $130,850 per year 

Number of Jobs (2021): 22,800

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 8%

2. Network Architect

Network architecture is the design of a computer network. The primary job description for network architects includes designing and building a network’s infrastructure. Additionally, they sometimes perform support and troubleshooting tasks. Network architects can work in different settings, including in the business, financial and medical fields, to implement small network connections in addition to multinational and global network systems.

When it comes to telecommunication, network architecture also entails a detailed description of the products and services that are delivered through a standard communications network. 

Average Salary Range: $136,251 per year

Number of Jobs (2021): 174,800

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 4%

3. Nuclear Engineer

This is another job in the STEM field. Nuclear engineers work in office settings or as specified by their employers.  They are responsible for conducting research and developing projects that address problems relating to the release, control, and use of nuclear energy and disposal. 

Nuclear engineering is a sub-division in the engineering field that is saddled with designing and applying systems that use the energy released by nuclear processes. Their most prominent application in this field is in the generation of electricity. 

Average Salary Range: $120,380 per year

Number of Jobs (2021): 13,900

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Projected Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): -11%

4. Software Developer

Software developers are responsible for designing computer applications /software. They work in computer system design and related services in manufacturing. They work in offices or teams with other professionals. 

Software developers are sometimes called software engineers. Their job role entails designing and maintaining software systems, evaluating and testing new software programs, optimizing software for speed and scalability, writing and testing code Consulting with clients, engineers, security specialists, and other stakeholders and presenting new features to stakeholders and internal customers.

Median Salary: $109,020 per year ($52.41 per hour)

Number of Jobs (2021): 1,622,200

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 25%

5. Physicist

A physicist can also be called a scientist. They learn about matter and energy. Additionally, they research and conduct experiments to test theories.  Physicists conduct experiments to prove or disprove theories in science. Sometimes they work independently or can work with a group of other physicists. 

Physicists apply the knowledge of the results they get to develop new technologies that improve the quality of man’s life. 

Median Salary: $147,450/year

Minimum Educational Requirement: Doctoral or professional degree

Number of Jobs (2021): 25,200 

Job Growth (2021-2031): 8% 

6. Psychiatrist

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine. Doctors who specialize in this area are responsible for diagnosing and treating patients who have physical and mental psychiatric illnesses.  They also help patients suffering from substance abuse and addiction.

Also, these physicians evaluate patients to know if their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly mental issues.

Median Salary: $249,760/year

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs (2021): 28,500 in 2021

Job Growth (2021-2031): 8% by 2031

7. Electrical Engineer

Being a field in STEM, electrical engineering is generally divided into different fields. Some of them include computer engineering, systems engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, photovoltaic cells, electronics, and others. Electrical engineers are responsible for creating, developing and test-running electrical equipment. They mostly work in offices except when they want to examine certain problems or equipment. They work in telecommunications. Manufacturing and even for the federal government. 

Median Salary: $101,780 per year 

Number of Jobs (2021): 303,800

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 3%

8. Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing, developing and test-running aircraft, spaceships, satellites and missiles. They often work in an office with like-minded individuals and can spend as much as 40 hours per week. They work on projects relating to national defence too. 

Aerospace engineering is another field of engineering saddled with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. It is mainly divided into two branches and that include: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering

Median Salary: $122,270 per year

Number of Jobs (2021): 58,800

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021 – 2031): 6%

9. UX/UI Designer

Product design is a holistic concept that UI/UX fall under. It is the process of conceptualising and creating products that address the customer’s needs in a given market.

One important aspect of product design is understanding the psychology and the needs of the end-users or customers. Product designers are allowed to solve real-life problems for real people. Some of the types of product design jobs available include User Interface and Experience designer (UI/UX), graphics design, brand design, product researcher etc.

UX/UI designers work to improve the user’s experience on websites, mobile apps, and applications. The goal is to ensure the user’s experience is seamless, intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly.

Median Salary: $78,300 per year

Number of Jobs (2021): 197,100

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021 – 2031): 23%

10. Chemical Engineer

Chemical engineers are responsible for developing and designing chemical manufacturing processes. It is equally an important field as they apply chemistry, physics and engineering to design equipment used in the manufacturing of different products like gasoline, detergents, papers and other products. 

It is important to note that chemical engineering is a very important field as it is responsible for the safety measures behind everyday products used by the general public. 

Median National Salary: $105,550/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs: 26,900 in 2021

Job Growth (2020 – 2030): 14% by 2031

11. Mathematicians and Statisticians

Mathematicians and statisticians are responsible for analyzing data and using standard approaches to solve problems. Their top employers are research companies, development companies and the federal government. They also usually work in teams with engineers, scientists and other professionals.

Median Salary: $96,280 per year 

Number of Jobs (2021): 36,100

Minimum Educational Requirement: Master’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021 – 2031): 31%

12. Actuarists

Actuarists use maths, statistics and financial theories to analyze the economic cost of risk and uncertainty. They work in insurance companies. They can also work as consultants.

Median Salary: $105,900 per year

Number of Jobs (2021): 28,300

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021 – 2031): 21%

13. Database Administrators

Database administrators are responsible for creating and organizing systems that make the storage of data easier. They work in firms and provide computer design services or industries that generate large databases. For example, the educational sector, insurance, etc.

Median Salary: $101,000 per year 

Number of Jobs (2021): 144,500

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 9%

14. Physical Therapists

Physical therapists are responsible for helping people regain movement, strength, and mobility including pain management after an accident through physical therapy.  Some job duties of physical therapists include patient consult and diagnosis, leading and guiding therapy exercises, massage, and helping patients use equipment like wheelchairs. They help patients who have been ill and unable to perform physical activities obtain maximal function.

Median Salary: $95,620 per year 

Number of Jobs (2021): 238,800

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 17%

15. Operations Research Analyst

This is another job in the STEM field. Operations research analysts are responsible for reviewing and evaluating data to solve problems within the organization using maths and logic. Their role is to ensure the organization is running as effectively and efficiently as possible. They employ the use of advanced data analysis and problem-solving tools for this, like data mining and statistical analysis.

Median Salary: $82,360 per year 

Number of Jobs (2020): 104,200

Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree

Job Growth Rate (2021-2031): 23%

Top schools in the U.S that offer STEM-based courses

Some of the top schools offering STEM-based courses in the U.S include: 

• Harvard University
• Stanford University
• University of California, Berkley
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Arizona State University
• Yale University
• University of Dayton University of South Florida
• California Institute of Technology
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Princeton University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Harvey Mudd College
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
• Michigan Technological University
• University of California San Diego
• University of Chicago
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Eligibility criteria to study STEM courses in the U.S

It should be noted that the requirements to study any STEM course in the US depends on the course and the university you choose. However, the basic requirements include the following: 

• For the bachelor’s degree programme in STEM, it is necessary to complete your high school education first. You must also pass chemistry, physics, biology and maths. For the master’s level, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in any STEM field with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0
• Students must possess a F-1 USA student visa.
• Students should be eligible for STEM OPT
• GRE or GMAT and English language proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS or PTE are necessary. 

Required Documents:

The required documents you need to study STEM-related courses include: 

• Passport scanned copy
• SOP (Statement of Purpose). 
•  Official transcripts and mark sheets of school and college
• Two Reference Letters
• Scores in English language proficiency tests
• Resume or CV
• LOR (Letter of Recommendation). 
• Translation of degree certificate in case it is in any other language (not in English)

How to get STEM jobs in the U.S 

Although STEM jobs are highly lucrative and in demand, there are measures to put in place before landing one. 

Getting the right STEM job that suits you would not just come on a platter. You will need to dedicate time to imbibe the right blend of skills, education requirements and genuine passion for the field. 

People who are curious can think outside the box, are open to research and are inquisitive can thrive in the STEM field as these are necessary elements needed to thrive in this sphere.

However, most STEM jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and other related certificates to start with. Other elements include having an excellent people skills as it is needed to be efficient in the workplace. 

We can help you

Are you looking forward to advancing in your career path by exploring the STEM field? You can start by getting a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree in the STEM course you desire. However, education costs money and bearing the brunt of the education cost does not come easy, that’s why the student loan service option is here to ease the financial cost for you. MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. You can reach out to us, as we’ll love to guide you through this journey. Get started with us today. 

Read also: 

What are the Highest paying STEM courses in the Uk

20 No coding I.T skills to land a job in U.S, Canada or Australia. 

How much does it cost to study STEM courses in the USA