Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professions are some of the highest-paid, most in-demand jobs in the country. According to Department of Commerce estimates, STEM occupations will expand 1.7 times faster than non-STEM occupations between 2008 and 2018. Additionally, Bureau of Labor Statistics data show the annual average wage for all STEM jobs was $79,640 in 2013 — a whopping 71 percent more than the national annual average wage of $46,440 for all jobs.
This high demand is good news for Nashville as we work to maintain our competitive economy. STEM jobs are a major focus of our Chamber’s workforce initiatives, specifically Middle Tennessee’s tech sector. We created our WorkIT Nashville campaign almost two years ago to bring increased attention to our thriving regional tech community and the availability of highly skilled IT jobs. Last week, we were excited to see the results of a new study naming Nashville the second fastest-growing tech job market in the nation, and this week, the momentum continues with a brand-new ranking listing Nashville as one of the best metro areas for STEM professionals.
The new STEM jobs study was conducted and published by WalletHub, an online personal finance resource. To determine the ranking, WalletHub researchers studied 100 metropolitan areas for factors such as job openings per capita, wage growth and projected job openings for STEM workers. Nashville ranked 12th overall.
As Nashville continues to stake our claim as a leading U.S. tech city, the Chamber and our regional partners will continue our efforts to promote our technology sector and grow our national and international reputation as a great place for tech talent.
