BLOG: Houston Metro Still Most Profitable for STEM Grads
Despite the oil and gas industry’s woes of the past few years, the Houston metropolitan area – energy hub home to the headquarters of ConocoPhillips, Baker Hughes and National Oilwell Varco – still ranks the highest for pay of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals.
Analysis by personal finance website WalletHub found that of 100 large metropolitan areas in the U.S., the Houston metropolitan area (Houston, Sugar Land The Woodlands) was first in terms of annual median wage at $95,187, followed by Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL; Colorado Springs, CO; Syracuse, NY; and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, respectively.
The Houston area has held this highest-wage designation for years now, both in 2016 and 2015.
But the area didn’t rank as high in all areas. Out of 100, the Houston metro ranked 20th in projected demand for STEM jobs by 2020, 56th in job openings for STEM graduates and just 94th for STEM employment growth (2016 vs. 2014).
The Houston metro experienced thousands of layoffs at the hands of the oil and gas industry downturn, as have other energy hubs across the world, leaving many forced to find work in other industries. A large number of energy workers have STEM degrees (engineering). However, the majority of STEM grads do not ultimately work in STEM, according to WalletHub, which cites recent census figures.
But some of this may just be a sign of the times.
“In today’s high-tech, information-age economy, both STEM and non-STEM graduates can expect to work in several careers over the course of a lifetime,” said David E. Drew, professor of education and Joseph B. Platt Chair in the Management of Technology at Claremont Graduate University. “STEM graduates often move to management positions and other ‘STEM-adjacent' fields as their career matures. One study found that only 40 percent of engineering graduates are still working as engineers 20 years later. There are many senior-level jobs in the corporate world and in government that require technical skills and knowledge. STEM graduates are natural choices to fill those jobs.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.
- ExxonMobil Racks Up Discoveries in Guyana Block Eyed by Chevron
- Oil Market Sentiment Has Improved Significantly
- EU, US Eye Collaboration on Nuclear Materials
- USA Driving Activity to Increase to All-Time Highs
- TC Energy to Sell Prince Rupert Gas Pipeline Project to First Nation
- EU Electricity Export to Ukraine Up 94 Percent in Two Years
- China Coal Output Falls for First Time since Government Ordered More
- BP Pulse Buys One of Europe's Largest Truck Stops
- UK CCUS Plans Outdated: Think Tank
- North America Enters Rig Loss Streak
- Norway Regulator Blasts Proposal to Halt New Oil and Gas Permits
- Chinese Mega Company Makes Major Oilfield Discovery
- EIA Drops 2024 Henry Hub Gas Price Forecast
- EIA and Standard Chartered Offer Up Latest Oil Price Predictions
- Red Sea Region Sees Another Watershed Incident
- Chevron Oil Project in Kazakhstan to Cost $48.5B
- OPEC Voices Encouragement after IEA Affirms Support for Oil Security
- Biden Govt Bares Strategy for Freight Charging, Hydrogen Fueling Infra
- Ukraine Hits Third Russian Refinery In Escalating Drone Strikes
- Rystad Looks at the Buzz Around White Hydrogen
- VIDEO: Missile Attack Kills Crew Transiting Gulf of Aden
- Norway Regulator Blasts Proposal to Halt New Oil and Gas Permits
- Chinese Mega Company Makes Major Oilfield Discovery
- What Is the Biggest Risk to Offshore Oil and Gas Personnel in 2024?
- Is Peak Oil Demand Close?
- Vessel Sinks in Red Sea After Missile Strike
- JP Morgan, Standard Chartered Reveal Latest Oil Price Forecasts
- Exxon Rights in Stabroek Do Not Apply to Hess Merger with Chevron: Hess
- Rystad Forecasts Net Production of Top Permian Producers in 2024
- Analysts Reveal Latest Oil Price Outlook Following OPEC+ Cut Extension