2 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

STEM 101: Intro to tomorrow’s jobs
3 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Dennis Vilorio

Dennis Vilorio is 

an economist in 

the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 

BLS. He can be 

reached at (202) 

691-5711 or at 

vilorio.dennis@

bls.gov.

“The future of the economy is in 

STEM,” says James Brown, the 

executive director of the STEM 

Education Coalition in Washington, D.C. 

“That’s where the jobs of tomorrow will be.”

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor 

Statistics (BLS) support that assertion. 

Employment in occupations related to 

STEM—science, technology, engineering, and 

mathematics—is projected to grow to more 

than 9 million between 2012 and 2022. That’s 

an increase of about 1 million jobs over 2012 

employment levels.

This article provides an overview of 

STEM work, analyzing nearly 100 occupations from a list created by a committee 

comprising several federal agencies. The first 

section of the article offers a brief description 

of the life and physical sciences, computer 

science, engineering, and mathematics fields. 

The second section includes data showing 

selected STEM occupations with the most 

employment and projected job openings 

and growth. The third section discusses the 

rewards and challenges of STEM work. The 

fourth section describes how to prepare for a 

career in a STEM field. Resources for more 

information are listed at the end of the article.

What is STEM?

There is no universally agreed-upon definition 

of STEM. Experts generally do agree, however, that STEM workers use their knowledge 

of science, technology, engineering, or math 

to try to understand how the world works and 

to solve problems. Their work often involves 

the use of computers and other tools.

STEM occupations are identified in a 

variety of ways. This article uses a list based 

on the Standard Occupational Classification Manual to analyze occupations from six 

groups, including computer and mathematics; 

architecture and engineering; and life, physical, and social sciences. (See table 1 on page 

4.) Healthcare occupations are excluded from 

this analysis, because they are described in a 

separate article in this issue of the Quarterly.

STEM fields are closely related and build 

on each other. For example, math provides 

the foundation for physics—and physics, in 

turn, for engineering. Engineers can apply 

their knowledge of physics to make high-tech 

devices that are useful for testing theories in 

physics. Advances in physics may then lead to 

advances in engineering and technology.

To better understand STEM, a brief 

description of each field follows.

Science

Science workers study the physical and 

natural world through observation and experimentation. “Science is a lens to interpret the 

world,” says Julie Herrick, a volcanologist at 

the Smithsonian Institution National Museum 

of Natural History in Washington, DC. “My 

job is to expand knowledge.” Science workers can also inform public policy, such as by 

providing data to support limits on the use of 

toxic chemicals.

The work of scientists often involves 

research, writing proposals and academic 

papers, and presenting findings. Science technicians collect samples, conduct experiments, 

and do other tasks to assist scientists in those 

efforts.

Workers rely on the scientific method to 

objectively test hypotheses and theories. The 

scientific method requires repeatable experiments that produce predictable and observable 

data. When the data matches a theory’s predictions, the experiment supports that theory. 

Theories with the most supportive evidence 

are adopted but may continue to evolve, based 

on new evidence.

Disciplines in science are categorized 

based on the part of the universe they study: 

space sciences, earth sciences, life sciences, 

chemistry, and physics. For example, the life 

sciences study the living world, such as plants 

or the human body; disciplines include ecology, genetics, neuroscience, pathology, and 

nutrition.

(Continued on page 5)
4 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Management

Architectural and engineering managers 

Computer and information systems 

managers 

Natural sciences managers 

Computer and mathematics

Actuaries 

Computer and information 

research scientists 

Computer network architects 

Computer network support specialists 

Computer programmers 

Computer systems analysts 

Computer user support specialists 

Database administrators 

Information security analysts 

Mathematical technicians 

Mathematicians 

Network and computer systems 

administrators 

Operations research analysts 

Software developers, applications 

Software developers, systems software 

Statisticians 

Web developers 

Computer occupations, all other 

Mathematical science occupations, 

all other 

Architecture and engineering

Aerospace engineering and operations 

technicians 

Aerospace engineers 

Agricultural engineers 

Architectural and civil drafters 

Biomedical engineers 

Chemical engineers 

Civil engineering technicians 

Civil engineers 

Computer hardware engineers 

Electrical and electronics drafters 

Table 1: STEM occupations, by occupational group

Electrical and electronics engineering 

technicians 

Electrical engineers 

Electro-mechanical technicians 

Electronics engineers, except computer 

Environmental engineering technicians 

Environmental engineers 

Health and safety engineers, except 

mining safety engineers and inspectors 

Industrial engineering technicians 

Industrial engineers 

Marine engineers and naval architects 

Materials engineers 

Mechanical drafters 

Mechanical engineering technicians 

Mechanical engineers 

Mining and geological engineers, 

including mining safety engineers 

Nuclear engineers 

Petroleum engineers 

Surveying and mapping technicians 

Drafters, all other 

Engineering technicians, except drafters, 

all other 

Engineers, all other 

Life, physical, and social sciences

Agricultural and food science technicians 

Animal scientists 

Astronomers 

Atmospheric and space scientists 

Biochemists and biophysicists 

Biological technicians 

Chemical technicians 

Chemists 

Conservation scientists 

Environmental science and protection 

technicians, including health 

Environmental scientists and specialists, 

including health 

Epidemiologists 

Food scientists and technologists 

Forensic science technicians 

Forest and conservation technicians 

Foresters 

Geological and petroleum technicians 

Geoscientists, except hydrologists and 

geographers 

Hydrologists 

Life, physical, and social science 

technicians, all other 

Materials scientists 

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists 

Microbiologists 

Nuclear technicians 

Physicists 

Soil and plant scientists 

Zoologists and wildlife biologists 

Biological scientists, all other 

Life scientists, all other 

Physical scientists, all other 

Education, training, and library

Agricultural sciences teachers, 

postsecondary 

Architecture teachers, postsecondary 

Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space 

sciences teachers, postsecondary 

Biological science teachers, postsecondary 

Chemistry teachers, postsecondary 

Computer science teachers, postsecondary

Engineering teachers, postsecondary 

Environmental science teachers, 

postsecondary 

Forestry and conservation science 

teachers, postsecondary 

Mathematical science teachers, 

postsecondary 

Physics teachers, postsecondary 

Sales and related

Sales engineers 

Sales representatives, wholesale and 

manufacturing, technical and scientific 

products 

Source: 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System, SOC Policy Committee recommendation to the Office of Management and Budget. 

Healthcare occupations are not included.
5 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Technology

Technology workers use science and engineering to create and troubleshoot computer and 

information systems. For example, some tech 

workers develop software applications and 

build and maintain computer networks and 

databases.

Technology work connects people, making all forms of communication—including 

business transactions, video sharing, and 

mobile browsing—faster and less expensive. 

The work often involves designing, testing, 

maintaining, and improving computer software, hardware, systems, and networks. “The 

goal is not only to solve a problem, but also 

to make that problem easier to solve in the 

future,” says Dan Parsons, an IT manager in 

Portland, Oregon. 

STEM technology refers to disciplines in 

computer and information sciences, including 

those related to operating systems, artificial 

intelligence, programming, cryptography, and 

mobile computing.

Engineering

Engineers and engineering technicians 

use math, science, and technology to solve 

real-world problems. The work often involves 

developing systems, structures, products, 

or materials. For example, a civil engineer 

might design a new train station to accommodate more passengers, and an environmental 

engineering technician might help create an 

environmental remediation device.

“Engineering makes things better and 

cheaper for everyone,” says Patrick Holm, a 

project civil engineer in Olympia, Washington. “Without it, we couldn’t live in the kind 

of society we know—with bridges, clean 

water, and cars.”

Disciplines in engineering are often categorized by industry, such as aerospace, petroleum, or textiles. Major disciplines include 

civil, mechanical, industrial, electrical, and 

materials engineering.

Mathematics

Math workers use numerical, spatial, and logical relationships to study and solve problems. 

For example, an operations research analyst 

helps organizations identify practices that 

improve efficiency, and a mathematical technician applies standard formulas to technological problems in engineering and physical 

sciences.

Mathematics is the technical foundation 

for science, engineering, and technology. The 

work often involves finding patterns in data 

or abstract logic. These patterns can be used 

to draw general conclusions about data, to test 

mathematical relationships, and to model the 

real world.

Disciplines in math include algebra, statistics, calculus, game theory, and geometry.

Outlook and wages

Overall, STEM occupations are projected to 

grow faster than the average for all occupations. And wages in these occupations were 

generally higher than the median for all occupations in May 2013.

This section explores the outlook and 

wages of STEM, both in general and for 

selected occupations.

STEM fields often 

build on each other. 

New knowledge leads 

to innovations, and 

vice versa.

(Continued from page 3)
6 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Outlook

BLS projects overall STEM employment, 

as defined in this article, to grow about 13 

percent between 2012 and 2022. This is faster 

than the 11-percent rate of growth projected 

for all occupations over the decade.

But projected employment growth varies 

by occupation. Knowing which occupations 

are projected to have the most job openings 

and fastest growth may help you narrow your 

career options.

Most job openings. An occupation’s 

projected job openings result from two factors: the creation of new jobs and the need 

to replace workers who retire or otherwise 

permanently leave. Occupations with more 

job openings usually offer more employment 

opportunities.

As table 2 shows, many of these STEM 

occupations are related to technology. For 

example, BLS projects applications software 

developers to have more than 200,000 job 

openings between 2012 and 2022. 

Occupation Job openings, 

projected 2012–22

Employment Median annual 

wage, May 2013

Typical entry-level 

education1 2012 Projected 2022

Software developers, applications 218,500 613,000 752,900 $92,660 Bachelor’s degree

Computer systems analysts 209,600 520,600 648,400 81,190 Bachelor’s degree

Computer user support 

specialists2 196,900 547,700 658,500 46,620 Some college, 

no degree

Software developers, 

systems software 134,700 405,000 487,800 101,410 Bachelor’s degree

Civil engineers 120,100 272,900 326,600 80,770 Bachelor’s degree

Computer programmers 118,100 343,700 372,100 76,140 Bachelor’s degree

Sales representatives, wholesale 

and manufacturing, technical 

and scientific products2

111,800 382,300 419,500 74,520 Bachelor’s degree

Network and computer systems 

administrators 100,500 366,400 409,400 74,000 Bachelor’s degree

Mechanical engineers 99,700 258,100 269,700 82,100 Bachelor’s degree

Computer and information 

systems managers3 97,100 332,700 383,600 123,950 Bachelor’s degree

Industrial engineers 75,400 223,300 233,400 80,300 Bachelor’s degree

Architectural and engineering 

managers3 60,600 193,800 206,900 128,170 Bachelor’s degree

Web developers 50,700 141,400 169,900 63,160 Associate’s degree

Electrical engineers 44,100 166,100 174,000 89,180 Bachelor’s degree

Computer network architects3 43,500 143,400 164,300 95,380 Bachelor’s degree

1

 Unless otherwise specified, occupations typically require neither work experience in a related occupation nor on-the-job training 

to obtain competency. 2

 In addition to the education specified, this occupation typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training for workers 

to obtain competency. 3

 In addition to the education specified, this occupation typically requires 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (employment, projections, and education data) and 

Occupational Employment Statistics survey (wage data).

Table 2: Selected STEM occupations with many job openings, projected 2012–22
7 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

Fastest growing. Nearly all STEM occupations discussed in this article are projected 

to grow between 2012 and 2022, according 

to BLS. And many STEM occupations are 

projected to grow faster than the average for 

all occupations. Some of these occupations are 

in technology; others are related to math and 

engineering. (See table 3.)

Between 2012 and 2022, BLS projects the 

fastest growing occupations to have many job 

openings relative to their employment size. 

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that these 

occupations have high employment. Some 

occupations, such as biomedical engineers and 

mathematicians, have small employment levels and are projected to remain small, despite 

fast growth.

Occupations with both high employment 

and fast growth usually offer better opportunities than small occupations with slow growth. 

High-employment, fast-growth occupations 

include computer systems analysts, applications software developers, and systems software developers.

Wages

BLS data show that workers in the STEM 

occupations discussed in this article earned a 

Occupation

Employment 

growth, projected 

2012–22 (percent)

Employment Median annual 

wage, May 2013

Typical entry-level 

education1 2012 Projected 2022

Information security analysts2 37% 75,100 102,500 $88,590 Bachelor’s degree

Operations research analysts 27 73,200 92,700 74,630 Bachelor’s degree

Statisticians 27 27,600 34,900 79,290 Master’s degree

Biomedical engineers 27 19,400 24,600 88,670 Bachelor’s degree

Actuaries3 26 24,300 30,600 94,340 Bachelor’s degree

Petroleum engineers 26 38,500 48,400 132,320 Bachelor’s degree

Computer systems analysts 25 520,600 648,400 81,190 Bachelor’s degree

Software developers, applications 23 613,000 752,900 92,660 Bachelor’s degree

Mathematicians 23 3,500 4,300 102,440 Master’s degree

Software developers, systems software 20 405,000 487,800 101,410 Bachelor’s degree

Computer user support specialists4 20 547,700 658,500 46,620 Some college, 

no degree

Web developers 20 141,400 169,900 63,160 Associate’s degree

Civil engineers 20 272,900 326,600 80,770 Bachelor’s degree

Biological science teachers, 

postsecondary 20 61,400 73,400 75,740 Doctoral or 

professional degree

Environmental science and protection 

technicians, including health 19 32,800 38,900 41,700 Associate’s degree

1

 Unless otherwise specified, occupations typically require neither work experience in a related occupation nor on-the-job training 

to obtain competency. 2

 In addition to the education specified, this occupation typically requires less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.

3

 In addition to the education specified, this occupation typically requires long-term on-the-job training for workers 

to obtain competency. 4

 In addition to the education specified, this occupation typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training for workers 

to obtain competency.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (employment, projections, and education data) and 

Occupational Employment Statistics survey (wage data).

Table 3: Selected STEM occupations with fast employment growth, projected 2012–22
8 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

median annual wage of nearly $76,000—more 

than double the $35,080 median wage for all 

workers in May 2013. Many of the top-paying 

occupations are related to engineering. (See 

table 4.)

Rewards and challenges

STEM work, like that of most jobs, is both 

rewarding and challenging. You might work 

on an interesting project that yields meaningful results, for example—but, to complete it, 

you might need to repeat an experiment many 

times or navigate complex government regulations.

Rewards

Many STEM workers find their jobs intellectually stimulating. They enjoy collaborating with people who share their enthusiasm 

and working with cutting-edge technology. 

“STEM offers a cooperative, innovative, and 

exciting work environment that is unparalleled,” says Aimee Kennedy, vice president 

for education and STEM learning at Battelle 

Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio.

Depending on the occupation, STEM 

work may be creative and produce tangible 

results. For example, a biologist might make 

a discovery in the laboratory and publish that 

1

 Unless otherwise specified, occupations typically require neither work experience in a related occupation nor 

on-the-job training to obtain competency. 2

 In addition to the education specified, this occupation typically requires 5 years or more of work experience in a 

related occupation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (employment, projections, and education data)

and Occupational Employment Statistics survey (wage data).

Table 4: Median annual wages in selected STEM occupations, May 2013

Occupation Median annual 

wage, May 2013

Employment Typical entry-level 

education1 2012 Projected 2022

Petroleum engineers $132,320 38,500 48,400 Bachelor's degree

Architectural and engineering managers2 128,170 193,800 206,900 Bachelor's degree

Computer and information systems managers2 123,950 332,700 383,600 Bachelor's degree

Natural sciences managers2 116,840 51,600 54,500 Bachelor's degree

Astronomers 110,450 2,700 2,900 Doctoral or 

professional degree

Physicists 110,110 20,600 22,700 Doctoral or 

professional degree

Computer and information 

research scientists 106,290 26,700 30,800 Doctoral or professional degree

Computer hardware engineers 104,250 83,300 89,400 Bachelor's degree

Aerospace engineers 103,870 83,000 89,100 Bachelor's degree

Mathematicians 102,440 3,500 4,300 Master's degree

Nuclear engineers 101,600 20,400 22,300 Bachelor's degree

Software developers, systems software 101,410 405,000 487,800 Bachelor's degree

Chemical engineers 95,730 33,300 34,800 Bachelor's degree

Computer network architects2 95,380 143,400 164,300 Bachelor's degree

Engineering teachers, postsecondary 94,460 42,500 47,500 Doctoral or 

professional degree
9 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

research in a scientific journal. A civil engineering technician may help design a storage 

facility or other structure and then assist in 

working with the contractor who builds it.

Workers in STEM occupations also enjoy 

the variety of problems they solve. “Every 

problem is a unique challenge to figure out,” 

Holm says. “Even if you use similar skills, the 

way you apply them is different.”

Because many STEM fields involve rapid 

change, workers’ professional development 

is also dynamic. “There’s always something 

more to learn,” says Herrick. “Don’t expect an 

end.”

Challenges

As rewarding as STEM work may be, it 

can sometimes be demanding and tedious. 

For example, projects may take hundreds 

of hours over weeks or months to complete. 

And routine tasks may include cataloging 

data, filling out paperwork, and documenting observations. “There’s a lot of sitting in 

front of a computer,” says Frances Tirado, a 

mathematical statistician at BLS in Washington, DC.

Other challenges vary, depending on the 

field. For example, many jobs in scientific 

research receive short-term financial support, 

so these workers often worry about funding. 

And engineering workers must juggle different priorities, from clients and the government, while keeping a project on schedule. 

“There are a lot of demands to satisfy,” Holm 

says, “so you can’t always do what you think 

is the best solution.”

Despite the challenges, however, STEM 

workers often report feeling respected and 

fulfilled. “You feel that what you’re doing is 

important and you matter as an employee,” 

says Tirado. “People value your skills, listen 

to your ideas, and think that what you do is 

magic.”

Getting started

STEM experts recommend that prospective 

STEM workers have a combination of skills, 

education, and experience for getting started 

in these careers.

Skills

Along with having a technical foundation, 

prospective STEM workers must have strong 

thinking and communication skills. “People 

focus so much on math and science that they 

often ignore these skills,” Holm says. Ability 

to consider problems in different ways and 

then being able to explain a solution clearly is 

essential for success in STEM occupations.

Thinking skills. Critical and creative 

thinking help STEM workers in problemsolving to detect mistakes, gather relevant information, and understand how different parts or 

systems interact with each other. 

STEM workers also need thinking skills 

to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions. 

Workers who think creatively may approach a 

problem differently—for example, by adapting 

knowledge from other disciplines. “Oftentimes, you’re the last resort for a problem 

because no one else could solve it,” Tirado 

STEM work may produce 

tangible results, such as 

a skyscraper designed to 

certain specifications.
10 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

says. “Creativity can help you come up with a 

solution no else could.”

Communication skills. Communication 

skills are important for working well with 

others and conveying information clearly, 

both orally and in writing. “Flaws in communication are a common source of conflict,” 

says Parsons. “You’ll usually work with or for 

someone else, so having these skills will make 

you stand out.”

Communication skills include technical 

writing, public speaking, interpersonal communication, and the ability to explain difficult 

concepts simply. Learning some of these skills 

may seem intimidating at first, but practice 

helps. For example, you can improve your 

public speaking skills by practicing in front of 

small groups until you feel comfortable with a 

bigger audience.

Education and training

Many STEM occupations require at least 

a bachelor’s degree. More technical and 

advanced jobs, including those in research, 

usually require a master’s or doctoral degree.

But STEM isn’t only for people who have 

a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Many occupations typically require an associate’s degree, 

and a small number require either some college but no degree or a high school diploma or 

equivalent.

Although you may already know which 

specific occupation you want to pursue, don’t 

fret if you are unsure. Some disciplines, such 

as math and physics, are useful in many 

STEM fields. “Students should follow what 

they want to do,” Brown says. “There are lots 

of options in STEM, in whatever area you’re 

interested in.”

Workers in some STEM occupations may 

need training after they are hired to gain competency in the occupation. Others may need 

licensure, depending on the type of work that 

they do.

High school diploma. You don’t have 

to wait until college to prepare for a STEM 

career. Most high schools offer a variety of 

math and science classes, for example. STEM 

workers recommend pursuing challenging 

ones—such as Advanced Placement (AP) 

courses—to improve your transcript and 

adjust to the demands of STEM work. “Take 

as many rigorous classes as you can,” Kennedy says, “as early as you can.”

Surveying and mapping technicians is an 

example of a STEM occupation typically open 

to high school graduates.

Associate’s degree. An associate’s 

degree is awarded upon completion of an 

Technical ability is 

essential to STEM work, 

but communication skills 

are also important.
11 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

undergraduate program that typically lasts at 

least 2 years. 

Occupations that require an associate’s degree include chemical technicians, 

computer network support specialists, and 

mechanical drafters. 

Bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree 

usually requires 4 years of undergraduate 

study. Many STEM occupations require this 

degree, including actuaries, civil engineers, 

and information security analysts.

But don’t become so focused on one 

discipline that you overlook the importance 

of developing a broad, well-rounded education. “You get problems from anywhere,” says 

Tirado, “so you need to know a little about 

everything.” Use college electives to sample 

other STEM disciplines or completely different areas of study, such as the humanities. 

Graduate degree. Still other STEM occupations typically require a master’s or doctoral 

degree.

A master’s degree usually requires 1 or 2 

years beyond a bachelor’s degree. Many master’s programs also require students to write 

a research paper, known as a thesis. STEM 

occupations that typically require a master’s 

degree include epidemiologists, hydrologists, 

and statisticians.

A doctoral degree usually requires at least 

3 years beyond a bachelor’s degree. To receive 

a doctoral degree, students must often complete a dissertation, a lengthy research project 

that contributes new knowledge to the field. 

Occupations that require a doctoral degree 

include animal scientists, computer and information research scientists, and physicists.

Experience

In some STEM occupations, work experience 

in a related occupation is required at the entry 

level. For example, computer and information systems managers usually need at least 5 

years of experience, first honing their technical skills in lower-level roles before moving to 

management.

Even in occupations that don’t require it, 

however, work experience often sets you apart. 

“Companies want to bring you up to speed so 

you can be productive quickly,” says Holm. 

“But there are so many skills you don’t learn 

in school that you can only learn on the job.”

STEM workers advise you to look for 

internship, volunteer, and research opportunities as early as possible: while you are still 

in school, not waiting until afterward. Your 

career advisor or counselor may have information about businesses that offer these types of 

opportunities.

Before applying for such positions, be 

sure to document in a résumé or portfolio your 

experience and accomplishments. Highlight 

school or work assignments that confirm your 

qualifications and that help set you apart from 

other candidates.

Getting experience before graduation 

also can help you determine whether a STEM 

career will be right for you. “It’s important to 

find something that excites you,” Herrick says, 

“because working in STEM means making an 

investment in a passion.”

As you broaden your experience, you 

should also broaden your network. “Your 

network is more important than your résumé,” 

says Brown, and should include mentors, 

business colleagues, and instructors. Develop 

a network by meeting people through work, 

volunteer, and internship positions; joining 

a club or working on a research project; and 

participating in job fairs, industry events, and 

online discussion boards.

Work experience can teach valuable 

lessons, such as how to cope with stress and 

persevere despite difficulties. “You must be 

Hands-on experience 

can help you decide 

whether you want to 

pursue a STEM career.
12 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Spring 2014 • www.bls.gov/ooq

comfortable knowing that you will struggle 

and won’t know all the answers,” says Tirado. 

“But, as a result, you’re going to learn much 

more and become a better worker.”

For more information

The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

(OOH) has detailed profiles for hundreds of 

occupations, including those discussed in this 

article. Profiles include information about job 

duties, wages, typical education, job outlook, 

and more. The OOH is available online at 

www.bls.gov/ooh.

Current and recent articles in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly that feature occupations in STEM include:

•	 “Healthcare: Millions of jobs now and 

in the future” in the spring 2014 issue at 

www.bls.gov/ooq/2014/spring/art03.

pdf

•	 “Working with big data” in the fall 2013 

issue at www.bls.gov/ooq/2013/fall/

art01.pdf

•	 “My career: Web operations engineer” 

in the summer 2013 issue at www.bls.

gov/ooq/2013/summer/mycareer.pdf

•	 “You’re a what? Ornithologist” in the 

summer 2013 issue at www.bls.gov/

ooq/2013/summer/yawhat.pdf

•	 “Math at work: Using numbers on the 

job” in the fall 2012 issue at www.bls.

gov/ooq/2012/fall/art01.pdf

•	 “You’re a what? Psychometrician” in the 

fall 2011 issue at www.bls.gov/opub/

ooq/2011/fall/yawhat.pdf

BLS has other information and data 

about STEM occupations. For a list of the 

184 occupations included in many federal 

government STEM studies, visit www.bls.

gov/soc/Attachment_C_STEM.pdf. For 

current employment and wage data, search 

STEM occupations at www.bls.gov/oes. And 

for employment projections between 2012 and 

2022, visit www.bls.gov/emp.

For more general data on STEM, contact:

National Science Foundation

National Center for Science and 

Engineering Statistics

4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 965

Arlington, VA 22230

(703) 292-8780

www.nsf.gov/statistics

ncsesweb@nsf.gov

Additional information about specific 

STEM fields or disciplines is available from 

professional associations and industry groups. 

For example, broad information is available 

from large associations, such as the American 

Mathematical Society (www.ams.org) for 

mathematicians and the IEEE (www.ieee.org) 

for technology workers. Small, disciplinefocused associations, including the American 

Society of Civil Engineers (www.asce.org) 

and National Science Teachers Association 

(www.nsta.org), provide more specialized 

information.

Some states offer online educational and 

career resources for their residents. For example, STEM Georgia has information about 

competitions, schools, and underrepresented 

groups—such as women and minorities—at 

www.stemgeorgia.org. A few professional 

associations, such as the Society of Women 

Engineers, www.swe.org, offer scholarships 

and awards to these underrepresented groups 

into STEM.

To learn more about STEM education, 

contact:

STEM Education Coalition

2000 M St. NW., Suite 520

Washington, DC 20036

www.stemedcoalition.org