The unprecedented, unexpected longevity of COVID-19 has devastated the global workforce. While the long-term effects remain to be seen, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has developed two models: one that shows that the pandemic will have a moderate impact on employment over the 2019-2029 period; and it is believed that COVID-19 will have a strong impact.
Regardless, there are some industries that have bucked the trend and are even seeing a surge after the pandemic – or more precisely because of the pandemic. For example, BLS predicts a 14% difference in pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing between base and alternative percentage changes in employment over the decade, which is hardly surprising. Similarly, a 4% change is projected for research and development in physics, engineering and life sciences and 3% for computer systems design.
The outlook for STEM careers was also bright before the pandemic. While the BLS forecast an increase in total employment of 3.7% from 2019 to 2029, an increase in MINT occupations of 8.0% was forecast – more than double.
With that in mind, WalletHub recently rated the best and worst metro areas for STEM professionals in 2021 by comparing the 100 most densely populated locations against 20 key metrics related to job opportunities, STEM friendliness and quality of life.
Seattle, Washington was ranked the best city in the US for STEM jobs, while Jackson, Mississippi was ranked the worst city. Let’s take a look at the rest of the top and bottom 10.
The best subway areas
1. Seattle, Washington
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. Atlanta, Georgia
4. Austin, Texas
5. Minneapolis, Minnesota
6. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
7. Madison, North Carolina
8. Salt Lake City, Utah
9. San Francisco, California
10. Madison, Wisconsin
Conversely, the worst subway areas
91. Scranton, Pennsylvania
92. Stockton, California
93. Oxnard, California
94. North Harbor, Florida
95. Toledo, Ohio
96. Little Rock, Arizona
97. Cape Coral, Florida
98. Memphis, Tennessee
99. Deltona, Florida
100. Jackson, Mississippi
Additional analysis from WalletHub revealed some interesting trends and sublists. Unsurprisingly, California absolutely owns the STEM workforce. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region currently has the highest percentage of the STEM workforce, with the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley region ranking fourth. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (Washington) ranks second with DC-Arlington, Alexandria (Virginia) area. Madison-Cary, North Carolina rounds out the highest percentage of the STEM workforce in 5th place, largely due to the research triangle in Madison-Green Bay, that of R&D at North Carolina State University, Duke University and the University of North Carolina is anchored in Chapel Hill.
Financially, Albuquerque, New Mexico is the best locale for STEM professionals and ranks # 1 in the highest median annual wage. In the meantime, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville (Florida) took second place; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land (Texas) in 3rd place; Dayton-Kettering (Ohio) took 4th place; with Richmond (Virginia) in 5th place.
The full ranking of the cities as well as the overall and individual results, additional sublists, expert analyzes and the complete methodology can be found in the article from WalletHub here.
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