Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Careers in this cluster
Cluster definition
Is science one of your favorite subjects?Do you prepare projects for science fairs?
Do you enjoy reading science magazines?
Are you detail-oriented?
Do you want to know how things work?
If you answered yes to two or more of the questions above, you might be interested in considering a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
If you choose to work in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster, you have several avenues. One avenue is to do scientific research in laboratories or the field. Another option is to be involved in the planning and design of products and systems. The last avenue is to provide support to the scientists, mathematicians, and engineers so they can do their work.
Pathways
Engineering and technology
To work in the Engineering and Technology pathway, you would solve problems involving design, development, or production. You would work on projects to evaluate problems and develop and test solutions. You could also provide advice and consultation.
Science and mathematics
Those who choose careers in the Science and Mathematics pathway apply knowledge and skills in the real world. Your goal would be to improve the physical and human environment. In your work, you would engage in discovery to gather and process data to solve problems.
Level of education and earnings
The training and education requirements to work in the occupations included in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster depend on the pathway and the type of work performed. Some occupations require an associate degree; however, some scientists need a doctoral degree to conduct research.
The information provided in the table below, presents the level of education or training required to work in the occupations related to this cluster and the median wages for those occupations.
Also, keep in mind that there are non-wage benefits that workers receive. For example, these types of benefits are health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and retirement plans. It is important to consider these benefits when you are looking at pay. Some benefits, such as health care, are worth a lot of money. You should carefully weigh a job that pays well but does not have many benefits against one that has good benefits and lower pay. Remember, how much an occupation pays is only one factor to consider when making career choices.
| National Annual Median Wage |
Washington Annual Median Wage |
|
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Vocational Training (Certificate or Diploma) | ||
| Precision Agriculture Technicians | $49,670 | $53,690 |
| Associate Degree | ||
| Electronics Engineering Technologists | $63,200 | $76,530 |
| Engineering Technicians | $52,580 - $67,010 | $64,240 - $89,090 |
| Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists | $90,270 | $87,760 |
| Manufacturing Engineering Technologists | $63,200 | $76,530 |
| Science Technicians | $40,860 - $79,140 | $37,880 - $72,380 |
| Bachelor's Degree | ||
| Aerospace Engineers | $115,220 | not available |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $64,430 | $78,740 |
| Chemical Engineers | $104,910 | $100,450 |
| Chemists | $76,890 | $80,550 |
| Climate Change Analysts | $71,130 | $78,230 |
| Conservation Scientists | $61,310 | $57,680 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineers | $96,640 - $102,700 | $106,910 - $111,730 |
| Energy Engineers | $96,980 | $107,230 |
| Fuel Cell Engineers | $87,370 | $90,510 |
| Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists | $90,270 | $87,760 |
| Industrial Engineers | $87,040 | $104,240 |
| Manufacturing Engineers | $96,980 | $107,230 |
| Materials Engineers | $92,390 | not available |
| Mechanical Engineers | $87,370 | $90,510 |
| Meteorologists | $94,110 | $89,260 |
| Mining Engineers | $92,250 | $90,230 |
| Nanotechnologists | $63,200 | $76,530 |
| Nuclear Engineers | $107,600 | $100,240 |
| Park Naturalists | $61,310 | $57,680 |
| Petroleum Engineers | $137,170 | not available |
| Photonics Engineers | $96,980 | $107,230 |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | $107,230 | $107,230 |
| Robotics Engineers | $96,980 | $107,230 |
| Safety Engineers | $89,130 | $94,970 |
| Science Technicians | $40,860 - $79,140 | $37,880 - $72,380 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $46,640 | $45,110 |
| Validation Engineers | $96,980 | $107,230 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $96,980 | $107,230 |
| Work Experience Plus a Bachelor's or Higher Degree | ||
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $140,760 | $148,400 |
| Master's Degree | ||
| Anthropologists | $62,410 | $73,460 |
| Archeologists | $62,410 | $73,460 |
| Biologists | $71,650 - $93,280 | $67,730 - $79,590 |
| Economists | $104,340 | $91,940 |
| Environmental Scientists | $71,130 | $78,230 |
| Geographers | $80,300 | $81,920 |
| Geologists and Geophysicists | $79,370 - $91,130 | $85,190 - $88,060 |
| Historians | $61,140 | $71,420 |
| Mathematicians | $101,900 | $119,860 |
| Political Scientists | $117,570 | $76,660 |
| Sociologists | $82,050 | $75,670 |
| Statisticians | $87,780 | $98,070 |
| Doctoral Degree | ||
| Astronomers | $105,680 | not available |
| Physicists | $120,950 | $103,900 |
Employment & outlook
The job opportunities in engineering are expected to increase slowly in the near future. Companies are turning more to engineers to help improve product design and increase productivity. In addition, the number of students graduating from engineering programs is not increasing. However, improvements in technology mean that one engineer can work on multiple projects at different locations at one time. In addition, many engineering jobs are related to the national defense and defense expenditures in those areas are not increasing.
Many scientists depend on federal funding for their research projects. Federal spending is decreasing. The number of students graduating from science programs is increasing. As a result, it is more difficult to obtain grants for research. The prospects for people with a bachelor's or master's degrees are improving. Job growth will be concentrated in the areas of biotechnology and pharmacy.
Employment will increase in mathematics. Growth is expected as businesses and government agencies continue to emphasize the use of big data, which math occupations can analyze.