STEM Occupations in Minnesota

By Rachel Vilsack
March 2009

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STEM occupations—jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—are one area of employment that can expect healthy growth in Minnesota in coming years.

Currently, about 8.5 percent of all jobs in the state are in STEM-defined occupations. The most STEM workers are in information technology and computer related disciplines (see Figure 1). Mathematical science jobs make up the smallest segment of STEM occupations, accounting for about 3,500 jobs statewide.

Projections by the DEED Labor Market Information Office indicate more than 36,000 new jobs are expected to be created in STEM fields between 2006 and 2016 (see Table 1).  About 12 percent of job growth in Minnesota between 2006 and 2016 will be in STEM-related occupations. 

The most new jobs, both in actual numbers and in percentage terms, will be in technology and computer science occupations. Growth in engineering occupations is expected to be modest, just 8.5 percent over 10 years. Engineering occupations may be disproportionally affected by job declines in manufacturing, since this is one industry sector where large numbers of engineers are employed.
 
Additionally, STEM occupations will require more than 50,000 new workforce entrants to replace people who will retire or otherwise leave their occupation in the next 10 years. Students interested in these technical careers will find ample job opportunities in Minnesota.