Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics workers are the source of growth and innovation, but meeting the economy's demand for these critical skills will be challenging.

1. STEM:
Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith, and Michelle Melton
October 20, 2011

2. Overview
• This report analyzes the science, technology,
engineering and mathematics (STEM)
workforce and includes education and
occupational projections through 2018.

3. Findings
• There is a shortage of STEM workers but the
career is very lucrative.
• 63 % of Associate’s degrees in STEM earn more
than Bachelor’s degrees in non-stem occupations.
• 65% of Bachelor’s degree in STEM earn more
than Master’s degrees and 47% earn more than
PhD’s in non-STEM occupations.

4. STEM jobs are an increasing share of all
jobs in the U.S. economy

5. STEM Workforce Shortage
• We produce enough STEM workers to fill all
the STEM jobs in the economy, but students
and workers often divert from STEM careers.
• More lucrative jobs requiring STEM
competencies are poaching STEM workers for
their skill set.

6. Diversion From STEM

7. STEM Workforce Shortage
• Out of every 100 students with a Bachelor’s
degree, 19 graduate with a STEM degree, but
only eight are working in STEM occupations
ten years after graduation.

8. Con’t.
• Computer and electronic skills are in high demand
and are highly concentrated in STEM.

9. STEM Workforce
• Women and minorities are underrepresented
in STEM fields.

10. Con’t.
• The pay gap in STEM between women and
minorities, and white men is smaller in STEM than
in any other occupation.
• STEM pays more than most jobs at each level of
education, and at the graduate level is exceeded only
by a small sliver of managerial and healthcare
occupations.

11. Conclusion
• STEM skills on any educational level provide career
advancement among many fields for all races and
genders.
• Obtaining science, technology, engineering and
mathematics skills advances workers opportunities for
economic security.

12. For more information:
Email Us | cewgeorgetown@georgetown.edu
Follow Us on Twitter | @GeorgetownCEW
Find Us on Facebook | Facebook.com/GeorgetownCEW
Follow Us on LinkedIn | linkedin.com/company/georgetowncew
See the full report at: cew.georgetown.edu/stem