- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Happy MassSTEMWeek! During the week, administration leadership, elected officials, educators, students, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and schools will participate in a series of events in communities across the state highlighting STEM education, STEM careers, and encouraging students to see themselves in STEM.
Thinking about starting a career in STEM? This blog highlights Long Term STEM Occupational Projections by education in Massachusetts.
High school degree
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Pharmacy Technicians
What they do: Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals.
Employment 2020: 8,688
Employment 2030: 10,106
Projected employment increase: 16.32%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $43,830
- Opticians, Dispensing
What they do: Opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Employment 2020: 1,215
Employment 2030: 1,410
Projected employment increase: 16.04%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $67,460
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
What they do: Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth's surface.
Employment 2020: 769
Employment 2030: 953
Projected employment increase: 23.92%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $56,100
- Hearing Aid Specialists
What they do: Select and fit hearing aids for customers. Administer and interpret tests of hearing. Assess hearing instrument efficacy. Take ear impressions and prepare, design, and modify ear molds.
Employment 2020: 461
Employment 2030: 604
Projected employment increase: 31.01%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $60,480
Associate degree
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Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
What they do: Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses.
Employment 2020: 3,421
Employment 2030: 4,788
Projected employment increase: 39.95%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $43,920
- Respiratory Therapists
What they do: Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.
Employment 2020: 2,256
Employment 2030: 2,896
Projected employment increase: 28.36%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $83,940
- Radiologic Technologists
What they do: Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
Employment 2020: 5,372
Employment 2030: 6,011
Projected employment increase: 11.89%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $85,800
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
What they do: Industrial engineering technologists and technicians help engineers solve problems affecting manufacturing layout or production.
Employment 2020: 3,503
Employment 2030: 3,987
Projected employment increase: 13.81%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $67,280
Bachelor’s degree
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Registered Nurses
What they do: Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about various health conditions.
Employment 2020: 87,864
Employment 2030: 98,561
Projected employment increase: 12.17%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $104,150
- Medical and Health Services Managers
What they do: Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers.
Employment 2020: 17,811
Employment 2030: 24,686
Projected employment increase: 38.59%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $152,450
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
What they do: Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct computer-related activities in an organization.
Employment 2020: 21,952
Employment 2030: 27,755
Projected employment increase: 26.43%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $176,820
- Industrial Engineers
What they do: Industrial engineers devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.
Employment 2020: 12,651
Employment 2030: 15,721
Projected employment increase: 24.26%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $108,900
Master’s degree
- Nurse Practitioners
What they do: Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays.
Employment 2020: 7,238
Employment 2030: 11,267
Projected employment increase: 55.66%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $138,700
- Statisticians
What they do: Mathematicians and statisticians analyze data and apply computational techniques to solve problems.
Employment 2020: 2,070
Employment 2030: 3,261
Projected employment increase: 57.53%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $110,080
- Speech-Language Pathologists
What they do: Speech-language pathologists assess and treat people who have communication disorders.
Employment 2020: 4,189
Employment 2030: 5,350
Projected employment increase: 27.71%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $94,390
- Physician Assistants
What they do: Physician assistants examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the supervision of a physician.
Employment 2020: 3066
Employment 2030: 4,172
Projected employment increase: 36.07%
2022 mean annual OES wage: $131,920
Data and job description source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Blog by MassLWD Communications Staff. Find our official agency accounts: Mass.gov/LWD
