STEM workers are in fierce demand, and not just in the global epicenter of high tech known as Silicon Valley. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis, STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — professions are expected to grow 10.8% between 2022 and 2032, compared to just 2.3% for all other occupations. In addition, the median annual STEM wage is $97,980, compared to $44,670 for all non-STEM occupations.
To determine the best markets for STEM professionals, WalletHub compared the 100 largest metro areas across 21 key metrics. Our data set ranges from per-capita job openings for STEM graduates to the median wage growth for STEM jobs.
Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst
Main Findings
Best Cities for STEM Jobs
Overall Rank | Metro Area* | Total Score | Professional Opportunities Rank | STEM-Friendliness Rank | Quality of Life Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Austin, TX | 64.70 | 1 | 16 | 14 |
2 | Seattle, WA | 63.31 | 4 | 8 | 41 |
3 | Atlanta, GA | 63.28 | 12 | 11 | 10 |
4 | Boston, MA | 63.16 | 10 | 1 | 71 |
5 | Sacramento, CA | 61.86 | 46 | 5 | 17 |
6 | San Jose, CA | 61.71 | 2 | 7 | 59 |
7 | San Francisco, CA | 61.61 | 5 | 3 | 61 |
8 | Pittsburgh, PA | 61.52 | 33 | 15 | 6 |
9 | Madison, WI | 57.94 | 30 | 25 | 12 |
10 | Minneapolis, MN | 57.15 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
11 | Springfield, MA | 56.91 | 77 | 4 | 5 |
12 | Orlando, FL | 56.85 | 28 | 26 | 18 |
13 | Salt Lake City, UT | 56.18 | 6 | 33 | 33 |
14 | Raleigh, NC | 56.01 | 8 | 14 | 56 |
15 | Worcester, MA | 55.97 | 50 | 6 | 47 |
16 | Tampa, FL | 55.94 | 31 | 29 | 20 |
17 | Washington, DC | 55.62 | 3 | 44 | 40 |
18 | Columbus, OH | 55.10 | 53 | 17 | 24 |
19 | Chicago, IL | 55.09 | 70 | 20 | 16 |
20 | Cincinnati, OH | 54.04 | 40 | 52 | 7 |
21 | St. Louis, MO | 53.61 | 14 | 47 | 32 |
22 | Spokane, WA | 53.50 | 15 | 36 | 31 |
23 | San Diego, CA | 52.74 | 35 | 12 | 55 |
24 | Denver, CO | 52.61 | 9 | 28 | 58 |
25 | Portland, OR | 51.34 | 23 | 41 | 43 |
26 | Philadelphia, PA | 50.66 | 56 | 18 | 50 |
27 | Los Angeles, CA | 50.27 | 96 | 2 | 72 |
28 | Hartford, CT | 49.66 | 36 | 30 | 9 |
29 | Boise, ID | 49.45 | 69 | 59 | 15 |
30 | Dallas, TX | 49.34 | 25 | 21 | 74 |
31 | Albuquerque, NM | 49.12 | 32 | 75 | 27 |
32 | Tucson, AZ | 48.79 | 60 | 54 | 23 |
33 | Richmond, VA | 48.77 | 13 | 49 | 53 |
34 | New York, NY | 48.57 | 55 | 9 | 81 |
35 | Greenville, SC | 48.45 | 7 | 67 | 8 |
36 | Colorado Springs, CO | 48.41 | 16 | 90 | 30 |
37 | Albany, NY | 48.32 | 19 | 46 | 21 |
38 | Houston, TX | 48.05 | 62 | 19 | 64 |
39 | Omaha, NE | 47.72 | 45 | 79 | 25 |
40 | Grand Rapids, MI | 47.49 | 21 | 76 | 35 |
41 | Knoxville, TN | 47.34 | 27 | 53 | 44 |
42 | Des Moines, IA | 46.82 | 22 | 81 | 34 |
43 | Phoenix, AZ | 46.78 | 43 | 77 | 37 |
44 | New Haven, CT | 46.54 | 37 | 22 | 78 |
45 | Baltimore, MD | 46.32 | 34 | 10 | 91 |
46 | Providence, RI | 46.24 | 67 | 32 | 52 |
47 | Harrisburg, PA | 46.01 | 18 | 60 | 13 |
48 | Rochester, NY | 45.83 | 73 | 34 | 48 |
49 | Allentown, PA | 45.32 | 65 | 27 | 42 |
50 | Charleston, SC | 45.31 | 29 | 87 | 29 |
51 | Cleveland, OH | 45.01 | 58 | 31 | 73 |
52 | Charlotte, NC | 44.68 | 20 | 71 | 66 |
53 | Nashville, TN | 44.57 | 42 | 23 | 84 |
54 | Palm Bay, FL | 44.09 | 11 | 95 | 11 |
55 | Buffalo, NY | 43.95 | 84 | 39 | 62 |
T-56 | Wichita, KS | 43.77 | 39 | 51 | 69 |
T-56 | Syracuse, NY | 43.77 | 47 | 61 | 3 |
58 | Provo, UT | 43.64 | 17 | 70 | 45 |
59 | Las Vegas, NV | 43.25 | 63 | 97 | 28 |
60 | Jacksonville, FL | 43.18 | 61 | 48 | 65 |
61 | Oklahoma City, OK | 43.13 | 52 | 96 | 36 |
62 | El Paso, TX | 43.04 | 75 | 66 | 46 |
63 | San Antonio, TX | 42.73 | 86 | 43 | 63 |
64 | Ogden, UT | 42.69 | 26 | 73 | 26 |
65 | Milwaukee, WI | 41.97 | 59 | 57 | 67 |
66 | Columbia, SC | 41.87 | 51 | 78 | 54 |
67 | Toledo, OH | 41.63 | 71 | 69 | 60 |
68 | Dayton, OH | 41.39 | 54 | 82 | 1 |
69 | Lakeland, FL | 41.36 | 38 | 58 | 57 |
70 | Honolulu, HI | 41.15 | 85 | 93 | 37 |
71 | Bakersfield, CA | 41.04 | 92 | 42 | 70 |
72 | Deltona, FL | 40.63 | 57 | 38 | 95 |
73 | Kansas City, MO | 40.45 | 64 | 91 | 49 |
74 | Youngstown, OH | 40.14 | 80 | 74 | 2 |
75 | Riverside, CA | 39.25 | 98 | 13 | 94 |
76 | Miami, FL | 39.17 | 49 | 55 | 83 |
77 | McAllen, TX | 39.08 | 76 | 63 | 19 |
78 | Stockton, CA | 39.08 | 91 | 37 | 82 |
79 | Scranton, PA | 38.83 | 88 | 68 | 4 |
80 | Fresno, CA | 38.39 | 83 | 40 | 88 |
81 | New Orleans, LA | 38.20 | 87 | 94 | 51 |
82 | Birmingham, AL | 38.02 | 74 | 56 | 80 |
83 | Virginia Beach, VA | 37.98 | 82 | 72 | 76 |
84 | Chattanooga, TN | 37.31 | 41 | 85 | 79 |
85 | Akron, OH | 36.90 | 89 | 62 | 75 |
86 | Tulsa, OK | 36.61 | 93 | 100 | 39 |
87 | Louisville, KY | 36.56 | 78 | 92 | 68 |
88 | Winston, NC | 36.42 | 72 | 65 | 85 |
89 | Detroit, MI | 36.40 | 48 | 80 | 89 |
90 | Indianapolis, IN | 35.49 | 94 | 45 | 90 |
91 | Baton Rouge, LA | 35.10 | 81 | 89 | 77 |
92 | Bridgeport, CT | 33.69 | 68 | 50 | 100 |
93 | Greensboro, NC | 33.30 | 90 | 64 | 93 |
94 | Cape Coral, FL | 32.89 | 66 | 86 | 92 |
95 | Memphis, TN | 32.21 | 44 | 88 | 98 |
96 | Oxnard, CA | 32.08 | 100 | 35 | 96 |
97 | North Port, FL | 31.83 | 79 | 84 | 87 |
98 | Augusta, GA | 30.99 | 97 | 83 | 86 |
99 | Little Rock, AR | 24.99 | 99 | 98 | 97 |
100 | Jackson, MS | 24.02 | 95 | 99 | 99 |
*“Metro Area” is a simplified term for Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which was used for our sample.
Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of each metro area, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that category.
- Highest
- 1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- 2. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
- 3. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
- 4. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- 5. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
- Lowest
- 96. Fresno, CA
- 97. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
- 98. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA
- 99. Stockton, CA
- 100. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
- Highest
- T-1. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
- T-1. Provo-Orem, UT
- T-1. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
- T-1. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
- 5. Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
- Lowest
- 96. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
- 97. Rochester, NY
- 98. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT
- 99. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
- 100. Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Highest
- T-1. Springfield, MA
- T-1. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
- T-1. Worcester, MA-CT
- T-4. Salt Lake City, UT
- T-4. Provo-Orem, UT
- T-4. Ogden-Clearfield, UT
- Lowest
- 96. Birmingham-Hoover, AL
- T-97. Tulsa, OK
- T-97. Oklahoma City, OK
- 99. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- 100. Albuquerque, NM
- Highest
- 1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- 2. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
- 3. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
- 4. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
- 5. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
- Lowest
- T-64. Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
- T-64. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
- T-64. Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI
- T-64. Dayton-Kettering, OH
- T-64. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
- T-64. Stockton, CA
- Highest
- 1. Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
- 2. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- 3. Raleigh-Cary, NC
- 4. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA
- 5. Albuquerque, NM
- Lowest
- 96. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- 97. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
- 98. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
- 99. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
- 100. Urban Honolulu, HI
- Highest
- T-1. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL
- T-1. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
- T-1. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
- T-1. Stockton, CA
- 5. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
- Lowest
- 96. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
- 97. Madison, WI
- 98. Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA
- 99. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
- 100. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
- Highest
- 1. Albuquerque, NM
- 2. Dayton-Kettering, OH
- 3. Winston-Salem, NC
- 4. Cleveland-Elyria, OH
- 5. Toledo, OH
- Lowest
- 96. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
- 97. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL
- 98. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL
- 99. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
- 100. Urban Honolulu, HI
In-Depth Look at the Best Metro Areas for STEM Professionals
Austin, TX
The Austin, TX metro area is the best place for STEM professionals in 2024, in part because STEM jobs make up over 11.5% of all employment, one of the highest rates in the nation. There are lots of open positions too, as more than 13% of Indeed job postings in the area are in the tech sector.
People in the Austin area can expect high earnings, too, as it ranks in the top 10 for median earnings for STEM jobs, at over $101,000 per year even after adjusting for the cost of living.
The Austin metro area is also good for tech education – students can find tech summer programs, and the area’s engineering universities are some of the best in the nation. Due to its promising conditions for this field, Austin has even been called “the next Silicon Valley.”
Seattle, WA
Seattle is the second-best area for STEM because it is one of the most well-known west-coast tech hubs, and the surrounding metro area has plentiful STEM jobs. For example, it ranks second in the country for STEM employment, with STEM positions making up over 13% of all jobs and more than 15% of new job postings on Indeed being in tech.
Plus, over 7.5% of the area’s GDP stems from research and development, which is one of the highest rates in the country. The Seattle metro area also has very productive inventors, with one of the highest numbers of invention patents per capita.
Atlanta, GA
The Atlanta, GA metro area ranks third for STEM professionals in part because it has some of the best engineering universities in the country and one of the highest median wages for STEM jobs, at over $105,000 per year after adjusting for the cost of living.
Like the other top metro areas, Atlanta has a high share of STEM jobs and job openings, but it’s also notable for creating a good environment outside of work. For example, it ranks among the top areas for singles and recreation, which can help professionals who move for work find partners and de-stress after a productive work week. The Atlanta metro area is also a great place to network, as it ranks highly when it comes to tech meetups per capita.
Tips for Finding a Good STEM Job
- Consider the Best Cities and Online Work: Moving to a city with an abundance of STEM jobs, high salaries, and a relatively low cost of living can set you up for success. If you are considering moving to a different city, make sure to look at quality of life factors like recreation opportunities and the environment for singles or families, which can be just as important as job openings. However, many STEM jobs can be done remotely now, so you can apply to jobs that are based in cities you might not want to move to as well.
- Seek Out Quality Schools: If you haven’t gone through college yet, picking a university that offers robust STEM classes is key. Good schools may also help you connect with internships and employment opportunities once you graduate. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to go to an expensive name-brand school, just one that has a good program.
- Build a Strong Professional Network: Networking is key in STEM. Connect with professionals, attend conferences, and engage in online communities. Building a strong network not only opens up collaboration opportunities but also provides insights into industry trends and potential career paths.
- Develop Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial, especially when dealing with complex scientific or technical concepts. Hone your ability to convey ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. This skill is valuable for collaborations, presentations, and bridging the gap between science and the broader community.
- Diversify Your Skill Set: STEM fields often require a broad skill set. Beyond technical expertise, develop skills such as project management, teamwork, and problem-solving. This versatility not only enhances your effectiveness in the workplace but also makes you adaptable to changing industry demands and allows you to switch between jobs in adjacent fields.
Ask the Experts
Like all professions, STEM occupations pose challenges to graduates who wish to pursue such careers. For guidance, we asked a panel of experts to share their advice for both job seekers and local governments that stand to benefit from growth in the field. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:
- According to recent census figures, the majority of STEM graduates do not ultimately work in a STEM occupation. Why is that the case?
- How can the U.S. stay ahead of other countries in attracting and training the best STEM professionals?
- How can local authorities make their cities more appealing to STEM graduates and technology companies?
- How can the government, employers and educators increase the number of women and minorities in STEM fields?
- How has inflation affected the STEM field in terms of education and employment?
Ask the Experts
Methodology
In order to determine the best job markets for STEM professionals, WalletHub compared the 100 most populated U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) — metro areas, for short — across three key dimensions, “Professional Opportunities”, “STEM-Friendliness” and “Quality of Life.”
We evaluated those dimensions using 21 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for STEM professionals. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available only at the state level.
Finally, we determined each metro area’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.
Professional Opportunities – Total Points: 33.33
- Job Openings for STEM Graduates per Capita: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
- Share of Job Postings in Tech: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of job postings in tech out of total postings on Indeed.com. - Share of Workforce in STEM: Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
- STEM Employment Growth (2022 vs. 2020): Double Weight (~6.35 Points)
- Unemployment Rate for Adults with at Least a Bachelor’s Degree: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Note: “Adults” include the population aged 25 and older. - Annual Median Wage for STEM Workers: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living. - Average Monthly Earnings for New Employees in STEM Industries: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
- Median Wage Growth for STEM Workers (2022 vs. 2020): Half Weight (~1.59 Points)
STEM-Friendliness – Total Points: 33.33
- Mathematics Performance*: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
Note: This metric considers standardized math test scores of fourth and eighth graders. - Number of Best Engineering Schools: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of engineering universities in the top 100 of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Engineering Schools” ranking. - Quality of Engineering Universities: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
Note: This metric is based on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Engineering Schools” score. - Disparity of Women vs. Men in STEM Occupations: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
- Disparity of Women vs. Men in STEM Field of Degree: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
- Research & Development (R&D) Spending & Intensity*: Full Weight (~5.13 Points)
- Invention Patents per Capita*: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
Note: “Invention Patents” refers to state-granted invention patents, including utility, design, plant, and reissue patents. - Tech Meetups per Capita: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
- Presence of Tech Summer Programs: Half Weight (~2.56 Points)
Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of Tech Summer Programs in the cities.
Quality of Life – Total Points: 33.33
- Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Annual Median Gross Rent / Annual Median Wage for STEM Workers. - Recreation-Friendliness: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking. - Family-Friendliness: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family” ranking. - Singles-Friendliness: Full Weight (~8.33 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Singles” ranking.
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of December 20, 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Patent and Trademark Office, National Center for Education Statistics, National Science Foundation, Council for Community and Economic Research, Indeed, U.S. News & World Report, Meetup.com, iDTech and WalletHub research.
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