To no one’s surprise, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers remain a path to future professional success and high earnings potential. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis, STEM professions grew at over twice the rate as non-STEM workers did between 2009 and 2015, with STEM workers earning an average of $87,570 in 2015 compared to $45,700 for all non-STEM jobs.
But where is the place to live if you are STEM professional? WalletHub, a financial fitness online site, recently compared the 100 largest metro areas across 17 key metrics. The researchers analyzed data ranging from per-capita job openings for STEM graduates to annual median wage growth for STEM jobs to projected demand for STEM workers by 2020.
The study concluded that Seattle was the best place for STEM professionals, with a total score of 73.60. Seattle ranked second to Washington, DC, in professional opportunities, scored fourth in “STEM-friendliness”, and scored a respectable 15th place in quality of life. The table shows the top five cities for STEM jobs.
Boston, Pittsburgh, Austin, and Minneapolis rounded out the top five metro areas.
Not surprisingly, San Jose, the hub of Silicon Valley, had the highest share of workers in STEM occupations at 21.9 percent. However, overall the city ranked only 20th, due to its mediocre 53rd place showing in quality of life, which likely stems partially from astronomical housing costs.
Many of the worst metro areas for STEM professionals were low-wage locations in the south, with Jackson, MS, at the bottom of the list.
To view the full report and your metro area’s rank, please go here.