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Periodic Table Day: BLS periodic table of STEM occupations

February 07, 2025

The periodic table of elements is a common sight in classrooms and laboratories. Scientists can use the table to analyze reactivity among elements, predict chemical reactions, understand trends in periodic properties among different elements, and speculate on the properties of those yet to be discovered. At BLS, we have created our own periodic table. In place of elements, we highlight wages and employment growth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) occupations.

View Chart Data

Science, technology, engineering and math occupations
STEM Group	2023 National Employment Matrix title	Employment change, projected 2023—33 (percent)	Median annual wage, 2023 ($)	Typical education needed for entry	OOH Web Address
Chemistry	Chemists	7.6	84,680	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemists-and-materials-scientists.htm
Chemistry	Chemical technicians	5.5	56,750	Associate's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemical-technicians.htm
Chemistry	Chemistry teachers, postsecondary	3.4	85,810	Doctoral or professional degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
Computer Science	Computer and information systems managers	17.4	169,510	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm
Computer Science	Information security analysts	32.7	120,360	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
Computer Science	Computer network architects	13.4	129,840	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm
Engineering	Chemical engineers	9.8	112,100	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm
Engineering	Mechanical engineers	11.0	99,510	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm
Engineering	Civil engineering technologists and technicians	1.8	60,700	Associate's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineering-technicians.htm
Environmental Science	Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	7.3	78,980	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
Environmental Science	Environmental science and protection technicians, including health	7.0	50,660	Associate's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-science-and-protection-technicians.htm
Environmental Science	Environmental science teachers, postsecondary	3.9	88,410	Doctoral or professional degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm
Geoscience	Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers	5.5	92,580	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm
Geoscience	Hydrologists	2.8	88,770	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/hydrologists.htm
Geoscience	Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians	3.8	52,440	Associate's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geological-and-petroleum-technicians.htm
Life Sciences	Soil and plant scientists	7.2	68,240	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-scientists.htm
Life Sciences	Microbiologists	6.7	85,470	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/microbiologists.htm
Life Sciences	Epidemiologists	18.8	81,390	Master's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm
Mathematics	Actuaries	21.8	120,000	Bachelor's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/actuaries.htm
Mathematics	Mathematicians	3.7	116,440	Master's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm
Mathematics	Statisticians	11.8	104,110	Master's degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm
Physics	Astronomers	7.4	127,930	Doctoral or professional degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physicists-and-astronomers.htm
Physics	Physicists	7.2	155,680	Doctoral or professional degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/physicists-and-astronomers.htm
Physics	Physics teachers, postsecondary	3.7	98,020	Doctoral or professional degree	https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm

On our STEM periodic table, information security analysts, actuaries, and mechanical engineers are among the fast-growing occupations that typically require a bachelor’s degree for entry. Employment for information security analysts is projected to grow 32.7 percent from 2023 to 2033. Actuary employment is projected to increase 21.8 percent. Information security analysts and actuaries earned median annual wages of about $120,000 in 2023. Mechanical engineering employment is expected to grow 11.0 percent over the decade and the median annual wage in 2023 was $99,510.

Wage estimates are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, and typical entry-level educational requirements and projected employment change over the 2023–33 decade are from Employment Projections. We have information on more occupations in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Periodic Table Day: BLS periodic table of STEM occupations at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/periodic-table-day-bls-periodic-table-of-stem-occupations.htm (visited March 18, 2025).

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