Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Overall, employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,200 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022).

According to the IU Indianapolis First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary for graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry was $43,169, and the median was $43,306.

The national mean starting salary for graduates who majored in chemistry was $44,981 for the class of May 2020, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

A degree in chemistry can also provide an educational foundation for admission to professional schools or to advanced degrees in fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law, business, engineering, etc. Graduates with a master’s degree, and particularly those with a Ph.D., will enjoy better opportunities than those with a bachelor’s degree ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016–2017).

Employment of computer network architects is projected to grow 5% from 2020 to 2030, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 11,000 openings for computer network architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022).

According to the IU Indianapolis First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary reported for School of Science graduates was $45,303, and the median was $40,000.

The national mean starting salary for computer science graduates was $85,766 for the class of May 2020, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (2022).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Computer and information science graduates often pursue degrees in areas such as:

• Business administration
• Computer science
• Technology

Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 20,800 openings for data scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024).

Employment of environmental engineers is projected to grow 4% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,400 openings for environmental engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022).

According to the IU Indianapolis First Destination Survey in 2021, the average starting salary reported for School of Science graduates was $45,303, and the median salary was $40,000.

The national median annual salary for environmental engineers was $96,820 in 2021 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Environmental science majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental science
• Geoscience
• Physics
• Public health
• Specialization interest

Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,600 openings for forensic science technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement ( Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).

According to the IUPUI (now named IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary for School of Science graduates with a bachelor's degree was $52,391, and the median salary was $50,000.

The national median annual salary for forensic science technicians was $64,940 in 2023 ( Occupational Outlook Handbook).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Forensic and investigative sciences majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following:

• Chemistry
• Dentistry
• Forensic toxicology
• Law
• Medicine
• Other science-related discipline