5 Top STEM Jobs for College Graduates

Contents

Petroleum Engineer
Statistician
Computer Systems Analyst
Healthcare Worker
Financial Advisor

Do you have an interest in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM)? Then one of the top STEM jobs for college graduates could be the perfect fit for you. These careers offer:

high pay
a strong job outlook
the opportunity to work on the cutting edge of science and technology

The following five occupations are excellent opportunities for any new college graduate to pursue.

1. Petroleum Engineer

The STEM job with the highest salary for new graduates is petroleum engineer, according to Forbes. Petroleum engineering is the application of engineering principles and practices to the process of extracting and using oil and gas energy sources. The median salary for petroleum engineers who have a bachelor’s degree and three years of experience or less is $88,700 per year, Forbes reports. With more experience, your earning potential can increase a great deal. The overall median wage for this occupation is $128,230, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Petroleum engineers can look forward to a faster than average job growth. They have the opportunity to travel the world visiting drilling sites. Other great engineering jobs include:

nuclear engineer
marine engineer
chemical engineer

2. Statistician

Statistician is one of the top STEM jobs for college graduates. If you like math, this might also be one of the best career options for you. U.S. News & World Report ranked this occupation as the number-one best STEM job in America. Contributing to statistician’s high marks is:

a median salary of $80,110
a low unemployment rate of just 0.8 percent
more than 10,000 expected job opportunities

Statisticians apply statistical methods to the analysis and interpretation of numerical data. Another high-ranking career option is mathematician.

3. Computer Systems Analyst

A number of the top STEM jobs for college graduates fall under the category of computer and information technology (IT). Computer systems analyst, for example, is an excellent career that offers a median salary of $85,800. It also has a 2.4 percent unemployment rate and more than 118,000 expected job openings, according to U.S. News & World Report. Computer systems analysts determine the best computer systems and procedures – including both hardware and software – for a company and set up those systems. Other top computer technology jobs include software developer and IT manager.

4. Healthcare Worker

A number of the top STEM jobs for college graduates – and, for that matter, the top jobs, period – are in the field of healthcare. Forbes lists nuclear medicine technologist as one of the top 10 STEM jobs for new graduates. U.S. News & World Report ranks psychologist and medical and health services manager among the top STEM jobs.

5. Financial Advisor

Some of the top STEM jobs for college graduates are in fields you wouldn’t expect, like business. Financial advisors put their mathematical knowledge to work analyzing financial opportunities like investments. They earn a median salary of $89,160 and have an unemployment rate of just two percent. Nearly 74,000 new job openings expected, according to U.S. News &World Report. Other top business-related STEM jobs include actuary and accountant. Wherever your interests lie, a STEM degree can help you attain a lucrative, in-demand career.

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