USA Today: Science, tech jobs pay more, lead in growth (239 hits)
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Jobs in science, technology, engineering and math fields pay an average 26% more than other occupations and grew three times faster the past decade, according to a Commerce Department study to be released this month. The Obama administration is citing the report partly to put numbers behind its push to invest more to increase jobs in so-called STEM fields. STEM jobs include computer programmers, statisticians, civil and nuclear engineers, chemists and lab technicians.
Many employers lament a dire shortage of highly skilled workers despite 9.2% unemployment. ESA chief economist Mark Doms blames the worker shortage on limited training programs at community colleges. Julian Alssid, head of the non-profit Workforce Strategy Center, says many colleges are unaware of employers' needs.
From 2000 to 2010, STEM jobs grew 7.9% to 7.6 million, three times the rate of other fields, the study by Commerce's Economics and Statistics Administration says. They're expected to swell 17% from 2008 to 2018, vs. 9.8% for other jobs. The study is partly an effort to bolster the case for federal investments in training for these occupations. "Folks that have these skills are going to prosper -- they're going to be creating the jobs and opportunities of the future," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in an interview.
