Median Annual Earnings of Adults in STEM Occupations
Among adults in STEM occupations, adults whose highest degree was a bachelor’s degree had median annual earnings of $78,402, about $17,500 (28.9 percent) more than those whose highest degree was an associate degree. Median annual earnings for Asians whose highest degree was a bachelor’s degree were 35.5 percent (roughly $22,000) higher than the median for Asians whose highest degree was an associate degree. The difference for Black or African American adults was only 23.6 percent ($13,000) and for Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander adults, it was 8.8 percent (about $6,000).
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Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education: A Status Report
Chapter Eleven: Employment and Earnings
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Source
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2016 5-Year Estimates (2012–16)
Data Notes
Only earnings for employed adults are included. All employed adults (both full and part time) are included.
STEM Occupations were defined as having a two-digit Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) code of 15 (Computer or Mathematical Occupations), 17 (Architecture and Engineering Occupations), or 19 (Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations).
