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A Healthy Dose of STEM Jobs

cameron-macht

By Cameron Macht
December 2014

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STEM jobs in health care are expected to be plentiful and well-paying in the coming years.

In the last issue of Trends, we examined the Core Component of the emerging STEM field in Minnesota. STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, is typically linked to industries like computer systems design, electromedical instruments manufacturing, architectural and engineering services, and management, scientific and technical consulting services, among others.

The STEM Core Component saw steady job growth in the state in the last decade, expanding more than twice as fast as the total of all industries from 2003 to 2013, although growth is projected to slow. But this group of STEM industries actually accounts for only 40 percent of total STEM employment in Minnesota, using the taxonomy developed by the Workforce Information Council's report "Exploring the High Tech Industry."

The health care industry has the other 60 percent. Although it is often overlooked as a high tech industry, health care obviously relies on science and technology. By reviewing STEM jobs across all industry sectors, the Workforce Information Council categorized 13 industry subsectors in the STEM Health Care Component, selecting only those sectors with a concentration level of 2.5 times the national average of STEM jobs.

These industries, which rely on a highly trained workforce to provide quality health care, are the focus of this article.

Healthy Growth in Health Care

Through 2013, Minnesota had about 335,000 jobs in STEM health care industries, according to data from DEED's Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. In the last decade, STEM health care industries added jobs nearly four times as fast as all industries in Minnesota, gaining just over 48,400 net new jobs, a 16.9 percent increase.

The largest employing STEM Health Care Component sector in Minnesota was general medical and surgical hospitals, with more than 116,000 jobs at 201 hospitals, accounting for just over one-third (34.8 percent) of total STEM health care employment. The next largest industry was offices of physicians, with about 65,000 jobs at 1,660 clinics, followed by skilled nursing homes, with about 48,500 jobs at 463 nursing care facilities.

Combined, those three sectors account for two-thirds (68.7 percent) of total STEM health care employment in the state (see Table 1).

Table 1
Employment in Minnesota's STEM Health Care Industries, 2003-2013
NAICS Industry Title NAICS Code Number of Establishments, 2013 Number of Jobs, 2013 Average Annual Wages, 2013 2009-2013 Job Change 2007-2013 Job Change 2003-2013 Job Change
Total, All Industries 0 165,051 2,691,763 $50,128 +4.6% +0.1% +4.4%
Total, STEM Health Care Industries 12,701 334,416 $55,121 +4.9% +7.5% +16.9%
Health and Personal Care Stores 4461 1,777 15,850 $36,088 +5.7% +1.1% +8.3%
Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 5419 2,928 14,397 $50,440 +14.9% +16.1% +56.1%
Offices of Physicians 6211 1,660 64,936 $91,052 +3.8% +5.4% +13.3%
Offices of Dentists 6212 1,890 15,581 $50,440 -1.8% +0.5% +4.9%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 6213 2,534 13,772 $37,024 +22.5% +31.0% +47.7%
Outpatient Care Centers 6214 415 10,411 $65,000 +8.7% -7.2% +60.5%
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories 6215 103 2,628 $66,664 +8.3% +23.1% +53.2%
Home Health Care Services 6216 459 21,434 $25,324 +18.5% +49.1% +99.3%
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services 6219 241 6,693 $50,908 +6.7% +17.0% +34.5%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 6221 201 116,313 $57,512 +5.8% +7.1% +15.0%
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals* (government only) 6222 22* 2,526* $53,196* -10.2% -19.9% -13.8%
Specialty (exc. Psych. and Substance Abuse) Hospitals^ (2009 data) 6223 8^ 1,377^ $61,412^ ND ND ND
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) 6231 463 48,498 $26,208 -5.2% -1.1% -6.0%
Source: DEED Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program

The fastest-growing industry sector over the last decade was home health care services, which doubled in size from 2003 to 2013. Minnesota also saw rapid job growth at outpatient care centers; other professional, scientific and technical services (which includes veterinary services); medical and diagnostic laboratories; and offices of other health practitioners (which includes chiropractors; optometrists; mental health practitioners; physical, occupational and speech therapists; and all other health practitioners).

Only two health care sectors experienced a net loss in employment over the last decade: psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals (which declined about 14 percent) and nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities), which lost just over 3,000 jobs from 2003 to 2013.

Much of that employment, however, has shifted into home health care services and to continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities for the elderly, which also doubled in employment in the last 10 years, though not classified as a STEM sector.

These Jobs Require Practice and Patients

As with the STEM Core Component industries, not every job in these sectors is STEM-related. For example, offices of physicians have just as many medical secretaries as registered nurses, and just as many billing and posting clerks as licensed practical nurses. In both cases, only the nursing positions are considered STEM occupations.

The Workforce Information Council report identified 61 STEM Health Care Component occupations, primarily in the health care practitioners and technical occupational group. These occupations comprise about half of the total jobs in the STEM health care industries, accounting for 168,540 jobs in Minnesota in 2014, according to DEED's Occupational Employment Statistics program.

All 61 occupations are expected to see employment growth over the next decade, ranging from slower-than-average growth for chiropractors, dentists and nursing instructors to well-above-average growth for physician assistants, diagnostic medical sonographers, genetic counselors, nurse midwives, orthotists and prosthetists, and nurse practitioners. All of the well-above-average occupations are expected to grow more than 25 percent from 2012 to 2022.

In sum, these occupations are projected to gain more than 27,500 new jobs in the next 10 years, but they will also need new workers to fill nearly 34,500 replacement openings due to retirements or other existing workers leaving the labor force. According to DEED's Employment Outlook, the state will have 62,220 total openings in STEM Health Care Component occupations from 2012 to 2022 (see Table 2).

Table 2
STEM Health Care Occupational Employment Statistics in Minnesota, Sorted by Typical Education Needed for Entry
Occupational Title SOC Code Estimated Employment, 2014 Median Hourly Wage, 2014 Median Annual Wage, 2014 Projected Change in Jobs, 2012-2022 Projected Total Job Openings, 2012-2022
Doctoral or Professional Degree
Pharmacists 291051 5,000 $62.59 $130,198 7.7% 1,710
Physical Therapists 291123 3,370 $37.61 $78,216 22.6% 1,630
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 251071 3,300 NA $76,192 7.2% 610
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other 291069 3,280 $80.00 $166,400 17.7% 1,260
Family and General Practitioners 291062 2,420 $85.44 $177,718 12.8% 1,060
Dentists, General 291021 1,780 $87.12 $181,208 4.0% 520
Anesthesiologists 291061 1,570 $80.00 $166,400 21.6% 610
Veterinarians 291131 1,220 $38.74 $80,573 7.6% 520
Surgeons 291067 1,090 $80.00 $166,400 21.2% 460
Chiropractors 291011 1,020 $28.18 $58,599 0.1% 310
Internists, General 291063 590 $80.00 $166,400 11.5% 280
Optometrists 291041 510 $48.10 $100,049 13.3% 350
Obstetricians and Gynecologists 291064 390 $80.00 $166,400 13.3% 140
Pediatricians, General 291065 340 $85.21 $177,222 12.5% 150
Psychiatrists 291066 270 $80.00 $166,400 18.6% 140
Audiologists 291181 200 $36.01 $74,897 19.5% 150
Podiatrists 291081 150 $77.33 $160,832 24.4% 80
Dentists, All Other Specialists 291029 130 $85.37 $177,556 5.5% 40
Master's Degree
Nurse Practitioners 291171 2,910 $46.54 $96,811 26.1% 1,260
Speech-Language Pathologists 291127 2,210 $33.78 $70,254 11.6% 600
Occupational Therapists 291122 2,190 $32.79 $68,200 15.3% 680
Physician Assistants 291071 1,850 $48.82 $101,536 34.5% 870
Nurse Anesthetists 291151 1,150 $76.80 $159,730 19.0% 460
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 251072 1,110 NA $64,295 6.0% 180
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practs., All Other 291199 310 $34.37 $71,478 5.8% 120
Orthotists and Prosthetists 292091 160 $33.06 $68,766 26.7% 70
Nurse Midwives 291161 150 $49.64 $103,266 27.5% 70
Genetic Counselors 299092 60 $33.50 $69,677 30.6% 40
Bachelor's Degree
Medical and Health Services Managers 119111 5,950 $43.00 $89,440 17.4% 2,530
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 292011 3,350 $29.74 $61,877 17.3% 1,530
Dietitians and Nutritionists 291031 1,560 $26.62 $55,371 13.0% 420
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists 299011 1,410 $32.65 $67,906 6.8% 500
Athletic Trainers 299091 860 NA $40,782 17.1% 230
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers 299099 520 $28.73 $59,772 5.3% 180
Recreational Therapists 291125 410 $21.65 $45,031 7.7% 110
Therapists, All Other 291129 330 $19.71 $40,985 23.9% 120
Exercise Physiologists 291128 190 $26.64 $55,402 9.5% 50
Associate's Degree
Registered Nurses 291141 57,920 $34.32 $71,387 16.9% 20,330
Dental Hygienists 292021 4,530 $34.26 $71,265 11.5% 1,710
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians 292034 4,110 $29.49 $61,330 20.7% 1,340
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 292012 3,020 $21.30 $44,303 23.4% 1,630
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians 292056 2,150 $15.07 $31,353 23.8% 580
Respiratory Therapists 291126 1,570 $30.87 $64,203 17.8% 530
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 292032 1,330 $35.75 $74,361 31.1% 630
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians 292031 910 $28.48 $59,246 23.2% 340
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists 292035 840 $33.74 $70,183 23.9% 320
Dietetic Technicians 292051 430 $14.52 $30,200 10.5% 60
Radiation Therapists 291124 390 $35.69 $74,240 18.9% 160
Nuclear Medicine Technologists 292033 320 $37.40 $77,801 20.3% 100
Respiratory Therapy Technicians 292054 60 $23.35 $48,572 17.7% 30
Postsecondary Vocational Award (Non-degree)
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 292061 17,400 $19.98 $41,551 18.6% 7,490
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics 292041 3,750 $16.65 $34,641 14.7% 1,850
Medical Records and Health Info. Technicians 292071 3,240 $19.55 $40,651 16.8% 1,510
Surgical Technologists 292055 1,930 $24.59 $51,162 18.7% 520
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians 292057 530 $19.27 $40,094 21.3% 210
Psychiatric Technicians 292053 240 $15.29 $31,788 18.6% 50
High School Diploma or Equivalent
Pharmacy Technicians 292052 7,080 $15.10 $31,424 13.8% 1,620
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other 292099 1,750 $26.17 $54,451 20.8% 460
Opticians, Dispensing 292081 1,570 $16.43 $34,176 10.9% 660
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians 299012 100 $25.31 $52,650 9.1% 40
Hearing Aid Specialists 292092 60 $30.86 $64,173 19.1% 10
Total, All Occupations 0 2,688,580 $18.15 $37,766 7.0% 901,620
Source: DEED Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), DEED 2012-2022 Employment Outlook, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Stay in School

While these jobs are expected to be available and in demand, they won't necessarily be easy to get. Job seekers interested in the STEM health care field will need to stay in school. Well over 90 percent of the STEM Health Care Component occupations typically require postsecondary education for entry.

More than half of lower-skilled health care support occupations can be gained with a high school diploma or less. But only five of the 61 STEM Health Care Component occupations can be gained with a high school diploma or less, with the other 56 requiring at least a postsecondary vocational award. Thirteen require at least an associate's degree, nine require a bachelor's degree, 10 require a master's degree, and 18 require a doctoral or professional degree.

Combined, the occupations requiring postsecondary education account for 157,980 of the 168,540 STEM Health Care Component workers currently employed in the state. Those occupations are expected to make up an even larger portion of the employment picture by 2022, due to faster overall projected growth rates.

Help Wanted

Data from DEED's Job Vacancy Survey show strong current demand for health care practitioners and technical occupations as well, with employers reporting more than 6,000 job postings through the second quarter of 2014. After sinking during the recession, demand for health care practitioners has bounced back in recent years and is now well above pre-recession levels (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey Results

Similarly, 94 percent of these vacancies require postsecondary education, including 42 percent that require vocational awards or associate degrees, 22 percent that require bachelor's degrees, and 30 percent that require advanced degrees. In addition, two-thirds of the openings expect at least one year of work experience, and 93 percent require a certificate or license (see Table 3).

Table 3
Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey Details, Q2 2014
Occupational Group Number of Job Vacancies Part-time Vacancies Requiring Postsecondary Education Requiring 1+ Years Experience Requiring Certificate or License Median Wage Offer
Total, All Occupations 84,696 42% 36% 44% 33% $12.05
Health Care Practitioners and Technical 6,036 41% 94% 66% 93% $26.08
Source: DEED Job Vacancy Survey, Q2 2014

Consequently, wages were significantly higher for these STEM Health Care Component occupations than for the total of all occupations. All but one health care practitioner occupation had a higher median hourly wage offer than the total of all occupations, and most median wage offers were well over $20 per hour. Median wage offers ranged from about $11.50 an hour for dietetic technicians to nearly $55 an hour for psychiatrists and obstetricians and gynecologists. Only six of the 61 STEM Health Care Component occupations had below-average median hourly wages.

With 1,699 vacancies, registered nurses accounted for almost one-third of the total openings in the group. They had a median wage offer of $26.90 per hour. Fifty-three percent of registered nurse openings, however, were part time. Likewise, 52 percent of the 840 vacancies for licensed practical nurses were part time, with a median hourly wage offer of $17.13. Nurse practitioners had one of the highest job vacancy rates of any health care occupation with 555 openings and a median hourly wage offer of $41.54.

Job seekers looking for a chance to use their science and technology skills in a field that offers high demand, high pay and high future prospects for growth should examine Minnesota's STEM health care field.

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