WalletHub recently conducted an analysis to determine which metro areas were the best and worst for STEM professionals. To conduct their investigation, WalletHub compared the 100 most populated U.S. metropolitan statistical areas using three dimensions. These dimensions were professional opportunities, STEM friendliness, and quality of life. The company then created 21 metrics within the three dimensions and generated a corresponding weight for each. Each metric was then graded on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the best. The top three cities were:
Austin, Texas
- STEM jobs make up over 11.5% of all employment
- Austin is in the top 10 for median earnings for STEM jobs
Seattle, Washington
- STEM positions making up over 13% of all jobs
- 7.5% of the area’s GDP stems from research and development
Atlanta, Georgia.
- Atlanta is home to some of the best engineering universities in the country
- The city has one of the highest median wages for STEM jobs at over $105,000 per year
In a recent quote, Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst, said, “STEM graduates have significantly higher earning potential than people in other fields, as well as access to more employment opportunities. Being in a city where STEM jobs are abundant can set people up for long-term success, as they can move between jobs without having to uproot their life. At the same time, the availability of remote work now allows people to do many STEM jobs from anywhere.”