Studying STEM subjects can be fun and rewarding all on its own. But, it’s even more exciting for some people when you know where these subjects can take you. So, here’s an A-Z of awesome careers that STEM can lead to.
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Science Careers List A-Z
Analytical Chemist
Analytical chemists are responsible for figuring out precisely what’s inside a substance and how it will react in different situations. They play vital roles in drug development, forensic analysis, quality control and toxicology. They make sure that all the things we put in our bodies contain what they should and have no unexpected surprises.
Average Annual Salary $62,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers use a mix of engineering, medicine and skills to create equipment used in treatments. Some of the things they design include robotic surgical tools, replacement limbs, and unique versions of equipment for people with specific needs. Their job requires a lot of innovative thinking and engineering skills. They make a real difference in people’s lives.
Average Annual Salary $86,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers are the people who design all the infrastructure we use every day. They make sure that buildings, roads, tunnels and waterworks all work like they’re supposed to. They are involved in the whole process of initial design through to construction. Every time you move around a city safely or use electricity or water, it’s all thanks to the work of civil engineers.
Average Annual Salary $88,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Physics
Data Scientist
Data scientists are in high demand. They are experts at using data to find helpful insights. Their skills can be used in loads of sectors, including finance, research, health, IT, government, and retail. Becoming a data scientist will open many doors, as almost every industry in the world needs the skills you’ll learn.
Average Annual Salary $123,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Computer science/computing
Economist
Economists study financial information. They use data to help organizations and governments plan how to move forward. Their knowledge affects so much more than just monetary policies. Their insights have been used to help people save for retirement, make effective long term plans and explain why people make the decisions they do.
Average Annual Salary $115,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
Formulation Scientist
Formulation scientists are responsible for figuring out what chemical should be used to make all sorts of things. They work on so many different things. They can specialize in things like medicines, foods, beauty products or even paint.
Average Annual Salary $65,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Biology
Geoscientist
Geoscientists are a vast group of people. What they have in common is that all of their work is focused on the Earth and its systems. They are often involved in finding natural resources, like minerals and drinking water. They can also study volcanoes, earthquakes and the environment.
Average Annual Salary $104,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
Health Economist
Health economists use data and math to help healthcare providers to work as efficiently and effectively as possible. They can help to make sure that resources are where they need to be when they are required. They can work at university, in hospitals, for insurance companies, or pharmaceutical developers.
Average Annual Salary $30,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
Inventor
Inventors are people who try to find new ways of doing things. They might design new products or new methods. They are a vital component of all sorts of sectors. Their role doesn’t end when they come up with an idea. They will be involved in the whole process of refining and implementing their vision until it’s done.
Average Annual Salary $85,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Computer science/computing
Journalist
Journalists who specialize in STEM topics have an essential job. They translate complicated scientific ideas into simple terms that everyone can understand. This is really important because not everyone can study science, but everyone needs to understand things like vaccines, climate change, and new health risks.
Average Annual Salary $36,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Computer science/computing
K-9 Geneticist
Geneticists study how traits are inherited from parents. They do this by looking at DNA. There are all sorts of different geneticists. They can look at the genes of dogs, cats, people, and even plants. They help us learn more about the world around us.
Average Annual Salary $45,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Chemistry
- Biology
Laser Fusion Scientist
Fusion is how the sun releases energy. If we can crack how to do it on Earth, we’d be able to solve a lot of our energy and climate concerns. The scientists leading this research are using lasers to start fusion in doughnut-shaped reactors. What more is there to say?
Average Annual Salary $85,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
Meteorologist
Meteorologists study weather and the climate. They use this information to do way more than just predict the weather for you. They can help farmers know what crops to plant and when. They can help fishermen, the military, and airlines stay safe. They are on the frontlines of tackling the climate crisis.
Average Annual Salary $65,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Physics
Neuroscientist
Neuroscientists study the most complicated system in the human body. They try to figure out how our brains, spinal cord and nervous system works. This work aims to look for new ways to treat mental health problems and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. They also just want to figure out how our brains do so many amazing things.
Average Annual Salary $85,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Biology
Oceanographer
The ocean is one of the last unexplored regions of the planet. Oceanographers study this complex and exciting ecosystem. There are lots of different types of oceanographers, they look at the oceans in different ways. Some study how the water flows, while others look at the chemicals in the water, or the animals that live it. Oceanographers work in industries like shipping, fishing, weather prediction, climate change and renewable energy.
Average Annual Salary $75,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
Planetary Scientist
Astrophysics is the study of space, and it’s such a big field that it’s split into a lot of different specialities. One of these is planetary science. Planetary scientists study planets and moons. They try to figure out how they were formed and what they are made of. Their research can help us understand how to look after our planet better.
Average Annual Salary $70,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Physics
- Computer science/computing
Quantum Information Processing Engineer
Quantum mechanics is a strange and fascinating field of physics. But, amazingly, it’s become a fundamental part of all the technology we use. As technology gets, more advanced quantum information processing engineers are responsible for making sure we can convert all the weirdness that’s happening at the level of photons and electrons into what you see on your mobile phone screen.
Average Annual Salary $66,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Physics
- Computer science/computing
Robotics Engineer
Robotics engineers design, build, and test machines to do all sorts of jobs. They are responsible for both the hardware and the software that goes into these amazing machines. They work in a wide range of fields including manufacturing, gaming and medicine.
Average Annual Salary $96,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Physics
- Computer science/computing
Sustainability Engineer
Sustainability specialists will usually work as consultants. This means they work with a variety of different businesses. Their job is to advise companies on how they can be more sustainable. They have to see ways to save the planet, make the most of limited resources, and keep an eye on the costs of the business they are working with. It’s a promising career for people who are interested in business but also care about the planet.
Average Annual Salary $95,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Biology
Technical Author/Writer
Every time you buy a new product, it comes with instructions. Writing those instructions is quite a difficult job. The author needs to be able to take complicated information and make it simple and easy to understand. Technical authors create these sorts of documents for everything you can imagine, not just your new iPhone.
Average Annual Salary $58,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Computer science/computing
Urban Statistician
Statisticians use numbers, data, and math to look for patterns and try to solve problems. Urban statisticians use the power of math to solve problems around infrastructure, government, and city life.
Average Annual Salary $98,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
Video Game Designer
Video game design is a very competitive field of computer science. These folks are software developers who write code specifically for creating games. It usually takes huge teams of video game developers to create a full game.
Average Annual Salary $59,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Computer science/computing
Web Developer
Web developers create and design websites. They are responsible for not only how the site looks but how it works as well. They make sure that everything is running perfectly so visitors can use all the features of a website.
Average Annual Salary $77,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Computer science/computing
X-ray Crystallographer
It’s tough to know what’s going on inside some materials. Some things are so small that you can’t see them using light. Instead, you have to use X-rays. X-ray Crystallographers, shine X-rays through materials and then figure out their structure by looking at the patterns. This is how the structure of DNA was found.
Average Annual Salary $80,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
Yield Engineer
Yield engineers work in all sorts of industrial settings. They are focused on making sure that the equipment and process are as efficient as possible. They can have a wide range of specialties.
Average Annual Salary $92,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
Zoologist
Zoologists study animals. They are interested in their natural habitats and their interactions with humans. Zoologists often do a lot of conservation work. They can work for wildlife sanctuaries, universities and zoos.
Average Annual Salary $65,000
Useful subjects to study:
- Biology