Updated On: 02 July 2024

5 Highest Paying STEM Careers in the USA

As we approach 2024, we must start working towards a secure and respected career. What's more exciting than opting for STEM Careers & listed in high-in-demand courses and counted as the highest-paying professional globally? STEM Courses are among the top study-abroad programs worldwide.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, thus allowing students to pursue professional routes.
The goal of integrating STEM courses in the curriculum is to prepare students to sort out real-world problems because these workers are taught to utilize their expertise using math's and scientific concepts to generate real-world solutions.

STEM jobs are expected to rise by 20 per cent in the decade. This implies more chances than ever for STEM professionals in the industry. These experts are well-positioned to take on leadership responsibilities as technological advancements are significantly increasing daily.

STEM students are taking on leadership roles in global tech companies. The 21st century has seen significant technological advancements, and students qualified in these courses are leading the growing tech market.
90 out of 100 STEM jobs are paid more than the national average, according to a survey carried out in 2023, with petroleum, architecture, and computer engineers at the top of the list.
In addition to technology breakthroughs, with new discoveries in science, biologists and physicists are making it to the top of most-in-demand careers.

Highest Paying STEM Jobs

1. Software Developer

#1 in Best STEM Jobs | #1 in Best Technology Jobs | #23 in Best Paying Jobs

A software developer helps design technology “Apps” that we can’t imagine living without. They are the masterminds behind our day-to-day handy apps. The need for talented and experienced software engineers is always on the rise in a world that is changing fast. Studying in the USA, software engineering would be one of the most impressive decisions one could ever make.

Median Salary: $120,730

Number of jobs: 370, 600

Unemployment rate: 1.2%

How to become one:

Bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology
Hands-on experience through internships to prepare themselves for a career in software development beyond the classrooms.
A Master’s degree can help students achieve quick career growth in this discipline.

2. Nurse Practitioner

#1 in Best Health Care Jobs | #2 in 100 Best Jobs | #2 in Best STEM Jobs

Nurse practitioners are known as registered nurses, different from general physician as they have additional education, which allows these professionals to take patient histories, perform physical exams, examine the lab results, prescribe medicines, authorise labs & treatments and thereby educating patients and families for the following care. Besides these, nurse practitioners are also specialised in training to work in women’s health or paediatrics and research or academia.

Median Salary: $120,680

Number of jobs: 112,700

Unemployment rate: 0.4%

How to become one:

Bachelor’s degree or an associate or other approved diploma in the relevant field.
Certificate of National Council Licensure Examination
Master’s or Doctoral degree, followed by an additional board certification to use the APRN ( Advanced Practise Registered Nurse) Title

3. Medical and Health Services Manager

#1 in Best Business Jobs | #3 in 100 Best Jobs | #3 in Best STEM Jobs

The professionals of Medical and Health Services plans, directs and coordinates to keep hospitals, group practices and other health care facilities running efficiently. Medical and Health Services Managers are super organised and extremely detail-oriented professionals with expertise in analytical, technical (as they are also behind maintaining electronic health records), interpersonal, and communication skills.

Median Salary: $101,340

Number of jobs: 136,200

Unemployment rate: 1.5%

How to become one:

Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration
Master’s degree in Public Administration, business administration or public health
Certification in Medical and Health Services Management

4. Information Security Analyst

#2 in Best Technology Jobs | #4 in 100 Best Jobs | #4 in Best STEM Jobs

Since the world is traversing into a digital world these days, crucial data is getting stored electronically, and these professionals are responsible for protecting this information in an organiser’s system from any kind of data breaches and cyberattacks. They help maintain data encryption software, develop security standards, and identify risks.

Median Salary: $102,600

Number of jobs: 56,500

Unemployment rate: 0.8%

How to become one:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Technology
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or Math
Certification in Information Systems Security Professional is highly credited.

5. Web Developer

#4 in Best Technology Jobs | #7 in 100 Best Jobs | #5 in Best STEM Jobs

Websites are face to any business. Web developers create and maintain websites. These professionals understand client’s needs and build websites according to their client’s product and target audiences. They also coordinate closely with the graphic designers on site layout, creating mock-ups, testing and solving and so on.

Median Salary: $77, 030

Number of jobs: 28,900

Unemployment rate: 1.3%

How to become one: