study1If nothing else can convince you to study STEM, highlighting possible career paths within STEM will likely do the job. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that STEM jobs will grow 17 percent by 2018, nearly double the growth for non-STEM fields. What does that mean for you exactly? It means that upon graduation from college with a STEM-focused degree, you are 5 times more likely than any other major to get a job after college. Sound good? What you’re about to read next will have you mapping out your college path to a high-paying career in no time!

The STEM jobs listed below were highlighted based on entry-level requirements for recent college graduates. It is recommended to secure an internship or work-study in these fields prior to graduation to strengthen your likelihood of getting the call saying “You’re Hired!”

Check out these 5 top paying STEM jobs for recent college graduates:

1. Computer and Information Research Scientist

• Median salary: $90,649
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field
• Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors and develop solutions to problems within their field
• Can work for computer systems design and related services firms, scientific research and development companies, or the federal government.

2. Petroleum Engineer

• Median salary: $90,453
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Petroleum, Chemical, or Mechanical
• Responsible for designing and developing methods for extracting gas from deposits below the earth’s surface
• Can work for oil companies, universities, or research facilities

3. Chemical Engineer

• Median salary: $66,413
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field
• Conducts research to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes
• Can work for industrial companies that develop products directly related to chemical compounds

4. Information Security Analyst

• Median salary: $63,223
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology (IT) or Network Security
• Responsible for providing security solutions for their companies through research, data collection, strategy development and maximizing productivity
• Can work for computer companies, consulting firms, and business and financial companies

5. Software Developer

• Median salary: $61,503
• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), or other related fields
• Develop computer applications that allow users to perform specific tasks on computers or other devices
• Can work for businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations

Recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree and less than three years’ experience in the workforce will earn approximately $39,000 per year. Graduates with a degree within the STEM industry will likely have a starting salary at $60,000 or higher. By working with MathSP, we’ll impart STEM Fluency so that you will be able to confidently and competently tackle the educational challenges that lie ahead in school and in life. Learn more about The MathSP Difference and how we can help you become STEM-focused early on in your educational career.