The Top 5 Most In-Demand STEM Jobs

In today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape, where automation and engineering advancements are up-ending our traditional ways of working and virtual meeting rooms are enhancing our ability to connect and collaborate with colleagues from all corners of the globe, STEM jobs continue to be one of the most popular areas of employment for many candidates. 

Between now and 2031, STEM jobs are anticipated to grow by around 798,000 positions—a 15% increase and almost double the projected growth rate for all other fields. A whopping 10 million professionals already work in the STEM field in the United States alone, accounting for around 6.6% of all jobs across the nation. 

Covering a broad range of fields, from life sciences to infrastructure, manufacturing, and computer science careers, our guide to the top five most in-demand STEM jobs is an opportunity to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the technical, engineering, and software development industries in 2023. 

The STEM Jobs in High Demand in 2023

Picture this: a world where data helps to personalise the medicine that saves lives and helps us to live longer, where your information is protected from even the most protracted attack, where businesses no longer need to pay for expensive networking infrastructure, where our roads and highways are more resilient and prepared for the automotive revolution already underway, and where the latest robotic devices and process automation technologies empower manufacturing. 

In an age where innovation is the driving force, STEM jobs are at the forefront of progress. The disciplines we’ll explore here have already had a profound impact on our lives, and they’re crying out for the talent that will continue to lead businesses to enhanced productivity, profitability, and competitiveness on the global stage. 

Without further ado, here’s our list of the five most in-demand STEM jobs in 2023—and likely the future too, as you’ll shortly see.

1. Biomedical Engineer

Within the life sciences and health industry, biomedical engineering experts play a vital role in the creation and production of life-saving equipment and devices that provide practitioners with diagnostic precision and enable them to enhance the therapeutic care they deliver. 

Blending knowledge in engineering principles, computer systems, software development, and the design of equipment and devices according to biomechanical principles, biomedical engineers work across the manufacturing and research sector, taking responsibility for a range of duties. 

Some of the key tasks a biomedical engineer will be responsible for include: 

• Developing innovative medical equipment. From artificial organs, prosthetic limbs, and medical imaging systems—such as MRIs and CAT scanners—to diagnostic tools, biomedical engineers are responsible for producing and maintaining the devices and technologies that improve patient care. 
• Collaborating with healthcare practitioners and scientists. Biomedical engineers work with their colleagues in interdisciplinary teams, collaborating with doctors, scientists, researchers, and other engineers, developing solutions that address the most challenging issues in public and personalised healthcare. 
• Conducting research. Staying at the forefront of research and evolution in the healthcare and medical technology industries, biomedical engineers must remain passionate and committed to professional learning and development.

As far as our list of in-demand STEM jobs goes, biomedical engineers are set for a bright future, with an anticipated 10% growth between now and 2031. Salaries in the UK for biomedical engineering roles range from £27,000 to £32,000 at the entry level, reaching as high as £45,000 with experience. Within the United States, candidates can anticipate salaries of around $61,000 to $97,000, rising to $150,000 with experience and seniority. 

2. Cybersecurity Analyst

Responsible for protecting an organisation’s networks and information from threats, cybersecurity analyst jobs are often unique amongst computer science careers. 

Whilst data security is everyone’s responsibility, these experts are tasked with monitoring software and hardware for weak points and security breaches, investigating incidents, and developing the policies and procedures we require to mitigate the risk of attack. 

The day-to-day tasks within cybersecurity analyst jobs will often depend on the projects underway within their business but typically include: 

• Researching and analysing security threats. Cybersecurity analyst jobs require candidates who are prepared to stay up-to-date with the latest weak points, viruses, and styles of attack, which will help them monitor networks for security breaches and ensure that applications are robust and protected. 
• Developing security policies and providing training. Often ensuring that those in other computer science careers can do their jobs safely and securely, a cybersecurity analyst will develop and implement the policies and procedures on software and hardware that protect an organisation—and its employees—from divulging information or risking reputational harm. 
• Investigating incidents and breaches. When an incident occurs, those in cybersecurity analyst jobs will investigate, determine the cause, and patch the problem—often producing a report to allow business leaders and line managers to understand why it occurred and what has been put in place to mitigate future attacks of the same or similar type. 

The demand for talented and competent cybersecurity professionals is on the rise, often reflected in the lucrative salaries senior candidates can secure within the position. The salary for entry-level cybersecurity analyst jobs in the UK ranges from £25,000 to £35,000 but can reach as high as £66,000 for those with experience. In the US, the typical yearly salary for these roles ranges from $76,000 to $130,000. 

3. DevOps Cloud Engineer

Amongst computer science careers, DevOps cloud engineers are becoming increasingly critical within the tech landscape, often ranking amongst the most well-remunerated STEM jobs. 

Working with a number of platforms and technologies, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google’s proprietary Cloud Platform, and Microsoft’s Azure, these experts automate and manage the tools and technologies that automate the setup and deployment of distributed computing and networking infrastructure. 

Possessing a robust blend of hard and soft skills that allow them to overcome the roadblocks that stand between software development and operations success, their responsibilities include: 

• Ensuring that all operating systems are compatible with cloud infrastructure. The cloud is helping businesses to save money by reducing the need for physical hardware—and the space and energy-intensive cooling systems they require—whilst ensuring they can scale up and down requirements as needed. With cloud tech, businesses can reduce their energy usage by up to 90%.
• Automating the deployment of software updates. Computer science careers are being empowered by the work of DevOps engineers, enabling the continuous delivery of updates to applications and services, helping to respond to growth opportunities, changing consumer demands, and security risks. 
• Promoting cooperation and integration between development and operations teams. DevOps cloud engineers ensure that organisations can quickly create high-quality software by helping to improve productivity and encouraging interdepartmental collaboration that allows projects to be completed at a faster pace. 

With the DevOps market anticipated to grow to around $51bn by 2023, these computer science careers are expected to be a sure bet for those looking for growth potential, stability, and high salaries. In the UK, these STEM jobs are paid between £60,000 and £140,000, while US-based DevOps cloud engineers typically secure a salary of $112,000 to $168,000. 

4. Civil Engineer

Responsible for designing, planning, and managing construction projects on nationally critical infrastructure such as roads, highways, bridges, and buildings, civil engineers are vital to the smooth functioning of society. 

When it comes to STEM jobs, these experts are firmly in the engineering camp—albeit bringing in expertise in science, technology, and mathematics to ensure that they’re completing their duties effectively and utilising the latest tools to produce accurate models and stress tests. 

The duties of a civil engineer will often depend on the sector they’re working in since they’ll find themselves employed in a range of industries, from transport to environmental engineering: 

• Conducting on-site investigations and providing technical expertise. Civil engineers are often relied upon for the production of surveys, long-term plans, and the provision of data and computer-aided design services, which will enable estimating costs for materials, labour, and equipment and allow technicians and technologists to implement plans. 
• Updating ageing infrastructure. Cities and towns are constantly redeveloping, with older roads and buildings requiring periodic maintenance or outright replacement from time to time, posing a significant challenge that civil engineers and others in STEM jobs must rise to. 
• Incorporating sustainability into their projects. Civil engineers are some of the most well-positioned professionals within this list of in-demand STEM jobs to introduce and hasten the green revolution, ensuring that our roads, buildings, and public transport options are energy-efficient, low-carbon, and protect the local ecology.

Civil engineers in the UK typically secure a salary of £34,000 to £50,000 per year, depending on their experience, whilst their counterparts in the United States will see a wider salary range of $54,000 to £113,000 at senior levels. Like all of the STEM jobs in our list, demand for civil engineering candidates is anticipated to grow well into the 2030s, with a projected 5% increase in openings to 2032, faster than the average for other occupations.

5. Industrial Engineer

Often forgotten in lists of the most in-demand STEM jobs, industrial engineers are vital to ensuring the efficiency and productivity of the manufacturing process, supporting industries as wide-ranging as consumer goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food production. 

These professionals utilise their computer science, engineering, and mathematics knowledge to optimise manufacturing processes, reducing waste and helping address supply chain issues. 

Their day-to-day responsibilities will, of course, depend on what kind of manufacturing environment they’re working in, but could include: 

• Analysing industrial systems and production processes. Incorporating their study of process engineering, industrial engineers draw upon data analysis and modelling techniques to recognise and resolve production bottlenecks and other issues, implementing solutions, optimising manufacturing equipment, and redesigning workflows so that the factory environment functions optimally. 
• Collaborating with those in computer science careers to design new manufacturing technologies. Whether it’s integrated systems or automating the production line through the use of robotic devices, industrial engineers are experts in partnering with those in other STEM jobs to design equipment and software tools that improve the workflow of the manufacturing environment. 
• Implementing quality control procedures. If it wasn’t for industrial engineers, many of the consumer goods we utilise daily would either be unsafe or unsatisfactory—they’re often responsible for ensuring the high quality of finished products, creating the testing protocols and standards of inspections that ensure excellence. 

Entry-level positions in industrial engineering typically begin at £30,000 per annum in the UK, rising up to £38,000 at the mid-level. In the US, their salary range will, as always, depend on location but usually ranges from $69,000 to $82,000, whilst at the senior level, candidates can expect around $130,000. Between now and 2032, analysts expect industrial engineers to continue to be in high demand, with roles growing by an anticipated 12% - faster than the average for most other industries, like all of the STEM jobs in our list.

As far as these five examples go, they’re some of the best STEM careers available to ambitious candidates looking for a future-proof journey that will see them contributing to some of the major projects that will enhance our communities and enable businesses to remain competitive. 

From renewable energy, waste reduction, and recycling to the creation of improved, greener manufacturing processes and the elimination of carbon footprint-heavy cooling for data centres, the roles explored in this list of the most in-demand STEM jobs will play a crucial role in ensuring the continuation efforts towards creating a more sustainable society. 

Final Thoughts on the Most In-Demand STEM Jobs in 2023

This list of the top five most in-demand STEM jobs in 2023 offers a glimpse into a future where innovation and progress are at the forefront of our society. With many roles in the STEM field projected to grow by 15% between now and the 2030s, these careers are not only in high demand but also have the potential to shape our world in profound and vital ways. 

From biomedical engineers leading the charge in healthcare, helping to develop life-saving equipment and improve patient care, to the cybersecurity analyst jobs playing a crucial role in protecting organisations and consumers from threats and breaches, the lucrative salaries on offer reflect the need for their expertise. 

At the same time, DevOps cloud engineers are helping to automate and manage programming projects, contributing toward the efficiency of software development and operations, whilst civil engineers ensure the smooth functioning of nationally critical infrastructure, readily showcasing their importance in this list of the most in-demand STEM jobs. Similarly, industrial engineers are ensuring that manufacturing processes are optimised, making the sectors they serve more efficient, productive, and sustainable. 

When it comes to the best STEM careers, these roles not only offer stability and growth potential but also provide opportunities to contribute to the most significant projects of our time, enhancing our communities and improving businesses’ growth potential. From renewable energy to greener manufacturing processes, these positions are vital for creating a more sustainable and happier society. 

People-Driven Hiring for Engineering and Computer Science Careers

At MCS Recruitment, we’re committed to championing the technical, engineering, and STEM jobs industry. Our consultants are experts in connecting ambitious candidates with the best STEM careers available, helping organisations drive their revenue growth and remain competitive amidst the talent challenges of the industry. 

If you’d like to learn more, contact us today to speak to one of our specialist consultants, whether you’re searching for the most in-demand STEM jobs or you’re after a candidate who can revolutionise your business.