STEM R&D job growth: 19-36% expansion through 2033

Detailed view of a PCR testing kit for SARS-CoV-2 with an epidemiologist in protective gear analyzing samples to detect specific viral areas causing COVID-19 pneumonia --ar 16:9 --style raw --v 6.1 Job ID: 7e698e8b-3ac0-4058-9c69-cb803819f39e

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As 2025 gets underway, concerns are mounting about the stability of some high-paying STEM and R&D roles in an economy many once believed would remain recession-proof for engineers, software developers, and research scientists. A few bright spots include quickly-growing positions such as data scientists (36% growth, $108,020 median pay, according to BLS in 2024), computer and information research scientists (26% growth, $145,080), and epidemiologists (19% growth, $81,390) who play an important role in public health research and pharmaceutical development. Several analytical roles also show strong growth potential. Examples include positions like information security analysts, operations research analysts, and actuaries. BLS projects 22–33% growth through 2033, all offering six-figure median salaries.

Fresh data points to a worrisome pattern: Benzinga noted in November a 26% drop in engineering openings, citing LinkedIn data—part of what’s been dubbed a “white-collar recession.” Other once-stalwart job categories, like IT and quality assurance, have also taken hits. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in September 2024 a plateauing of growth in the professional and technical sectors, with information jobs barely growing (+4,000) and manufacturing shedding jobs (-7,000) for the second consecutive month after August’s larger dip (-27,000).

Meanwhile, the BLS November 2024 employment report shows that employment in the information sector was completely flat in November and “has shown little net change over the most recent 12 months.” While professional and business services added 26,000 jobs overall in November, architectural and engineering services contributed 10,000. Yet temporary help services has dipped significantly, having “shed 535,000 jobs since March 2022, marking a 16.8% decline. On top of that, manufacturing employment changed little (+22,000), with a -4,000 drop in semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing. The only significant factory gain (+32,000) came from returning strike workers in transportation equipment, not organic growth. On the bright side, BLS sees strong growth in health care employment (+54,000 in November) — mostly in direct patient care, including +16,000 in home health care services and +19,000 in hospitals.

From data scientists and computer research scientists to epidemiologists

Wind turbine service technicians (60% growth) and solar photovoltaic installers (48% growth) are two of the fastest-growing fields overall, though these lean more toward hands-on technical work rather than pure R&D. In terms of STEM and R&D, data scientists, computer and information research scientists, and epidemiologists are experiencing the most rapid growth (19-36%) with high median salaries ($81,390 to $145,080). Analytical roles such as information security analysts, operations research analysts, and actuaries also show robust growth (22-33%) and lucrative salaries. Renewable energy technicians, including wind turbine service technicians (60% growth) and solar photovoltaic installers (48% growth), represent some of the fastest-growing fields, albeit with a more hands-on and less research-related bent.

“Fastest-Growing Occupations: Growth Rate vs. Median Pay (2023-2033). Note the concentration of R&D-relevant positions (blue) in the higher salary ranges.” Visualization adapted from BLS data

In terms of positions for fresh grads, the New York Fed’s College Labor Market report noted in February 2024 that engineering majors like Mechanical or Industrial Engineering continued to register low unemployment rates (1.5% and 0.2%, respectively) and commanded early-career wages around $70,000 or higher. BLS projections also remain upbeat for key roles in data science (expected to grow 36% through 2033) and computer and information research (26% through 2033)—both of which command median salaries above $100,000.

Projected Growth Rates by Occupation (2023-2033), Categorized by R&D Relevance. Data shows strong growth in both traditional research roles and emerging technical fields. [Adapted from BLS]

For a full breakdown of the quickest growing occupations based on BLS data and projections, check out the data below. Note: Many of these are not overtly related to STEM and R&D, but provide more data on the positions in the above graphs:

2023–2033 Occupational outlook: Not limited to R&D and STEM roles

Data adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Wind turbine technicians

2023 Median Pay: $61,770 per year ($29.70/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Long-term on-the-job
Number of Jobs (2023): 11,400
Job Outlook (2023–33): 60% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +6,800

Solar photovoltaic installers

2023 Median Pay: $48,800 per year ($23.46/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Moderate-term on-the-job
Number of Jobs (2023): 25,000
Job Outlook (2023–33): 48% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +12,000

Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners

2023 Median Pay: $129,480 per year ($62.25/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 349,600
Job Outlook (2023–33): 40% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +141,200

Data scientists

2023 Median Pay: $108,020 per year ($51.93/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 202,900
Job Outlook (2023–33): 36% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +73,100

Information security analysts

2023 Median Pay: $120,360 per year ($57.87/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: Less than 5 years
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 180,700
Job Outlook (2023–33): 33% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +59,100

Medical and health services managers

2023 Median Pay: $110,680 per year ($53.21/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: Less than 5 years
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 562,700
Job Outlook (2023–33): 29% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +160,600

Physician assistants

2023 Median Pay: $130,020 per year ($62.51/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 153,400
Job Outlook (2023–33): 28% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +43,700

Computer and information research scientists

2023 Median Pay: $145,080 per year ($69.75/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 36,600
Job Outlook (2023–33): 26% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +9,400

Physical therapist assistants and aides

2023 Median Pay: PTA: $64,080 | Aides: $33,520
Typical Entry-Level Education: Varies by role (see BLS details)
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: See BLS resources
Number of Jobs (2023): 152,800
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +28,800

Operations research analysts

2023 Median Pay: $83,640 per year ($40.21/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 123,300
Job Outlook (2023–33): 23% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +28,300

Occupational therapy assistants and aides

2023 Median Pay: OTA: $67,010 | Aides: $36,970
Typical Entry-Level Education: Varies (see BLS)
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: See BLS resources
Number of Jobs (2023): 52,100
Job Outlook (2023–33): 21% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +10,800

Actuaries

2023 Median Pay: $120,000 per year ($57.69/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Long-term on-the-job
Number of Jobs (2023): 30,200
Job Outlook (2023–33): 22% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +6,600

Financial examiners

2023 Median Pay: $84,300 per year ($40.53/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Long-term on-the-job
Number of Jobs (2023): 65,500
Job Outlook (2023–33): 21% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +13,800

Home health and personal care aides

2023 Median Pay: $33,530 per year ($16.12/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Short-term on-the-job
Number of Jobs (2023): 3,961,900
Job Outlook (2023–33): 21% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +820,500

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

2023 Median Pay: $36,440 per year ($17.52/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Short-term on-the-job
Number of Jobs (2023): 118,200
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +22,900

Veterinary technologists and technicians

2023 Median Pay: $43,740 per year ($21.03/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Associate’s degree (Technicians); Bachelor’s degree (Technologists)
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None (credentialing exam typically required)
Number of Jobs (2023): 125,700
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +24,300

Logisticians

2023 Median Pay: $79,400 per year ($38.17/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 237,100
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +45,800

Veterinarians

2023 Median Pay: $119,100 per year ($57.26/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral or professional degree (D.V.M.)
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None (state license required)
Number of Jobs (2023): 88,200
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +16,800

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

2023 Median Pay: $53,710 per year ($25.82/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree (varies by specialty and state)
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: Internship/residency (often required)
Number of Jobs (2023): 449,800
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +84,500

Epidemiologists

2023 Median Pay: $81,390 per year ($39.13/hour)
Typical Entry-Level Education: Master’s degree (e.g., MPH)
Work Experience Required: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs (2023): 11,000
Job Outlook (2023–33): 19% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change: +2,100

Note: Always refer to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for updates. These figures (accessed on January 6, 2025) are based on projections as of 2023–2033.