Jobs in the so-called STEM fields are growing faster and providing better for workers than other types of employment, according to a new report by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration.
Between 2000 and 2010, jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics professions grew by 7.9 percent, while other employment rose only 2.6 percent. Projections for 2008 through 2018 suggest STEM employment will grow 17 percent, compared with 9.8 percent for other jobs, the report says.
In 2010, 5.5 percent of the labor force-7.6 million people-worked in STEM jobs. Those workers are paid 26 percent more than non-STEM employees.
