Have you been hearing more and more about the advantages of working in STEM fields? High pay, good benefits, and expanding industries show that a STEM field may be perfect for you. SO what’s holding you back? Maybe you thought STEM work was too difficult when you were in high school, or maybe the fields didn’t interest you when you started working. But if you’ve come to realize that you’re as capable of doing STEM work as anyone, it might be time to consider earning an online degree in one of the STEM fields with the highest pay and greatest growth potential..
STEM is one of the most fastest growing job sectors in the U.S. with annual growth rate of 3.3% per year. But it’s not just growing opportunities within the sector that make it a great place to start your new career. There’s also a good track record of stability. After all, workers in STEM careers weathered the recession better than those in many other sectors.
You do need a bachelor’s degree at the minimum for most STEM careers, but those degrees are widely available through returning student programs at many colleges and universities, with a vast range available as entirely online courses. We’ve picked four of the top STEM careers with online degrees you can begin training for now.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
If you’re interested in field work, lab work, or executive jobs a career track in environmental science may be just the thing you’ve been searching for. One of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. job market, environmental scientists are in higher demand than ever. Most jobs in this sector require a bachelor’s degree, and there are ample online programs available that allow you to work full time while you study. Median salary for environmental scientists is $71,130 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Geoscientists
With 14% job outlook growth, this is a hot STEM career with exciting opportunities in both the public and private sectors. This can also be a great choice for people who are specifically looking for field or outdoor work. You can find jobs all over the world in many different terrains and environments. And the salaries for these jobs are really excellent with $91,130/year average in the U.S. The best part is, there are several bachelor’s degree programs online for people looking to switch careers while working full time.
Chemists
As online programs become more sophisticated, more and more chemistry degree programs are offered online. Was chemistry the one science class you loved in high school? Maybe this is your chance to get back into that field! Chemistry offers a huge variety of specialties and career tracks in both the public and the private sector. The pay’s not bad either, with median yearly pay sliding in at $78,330.
Information Security Analyst
Drawn to computers, the internet, and everything networking? Maybe information security is just the career field for you! With a whopping 28% average growth rate for a career in this sector and a very nice median salary of $98,350, this is a highly recommended STEM career track. Most IT security analysts have computer science or information technology bachelor’s degrees when they enter the field, and those are some of the most readily available online degrees right now. Think you’d like to help fight cyber security threats? There’s never been a better time to choose this career track!
