According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 to 2032 industry and occupational employment projections, STEM-related industries are among the fastest growing. Healthcare is the fastest growing industry in the country, with healthcare support occupational group expected to see the fastest employment growth and to add the most jobs of any occupational group. Together with the healthcare practitioners and technical occupational group, these 2 healthcare groups account for roughly 2 of every 5 new jobs projected to be added over 2022–32. This is why healthcare career awareness is fundamental to STEMworks programming. Additionally, computer and mathematical occupations are projected to see the second-fastest job growth of all 22 groups analyzed. Of the 15 fastest growing occupations, 7 are computer and mathematical occupations. (https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2023/article/industry-and-occupational-employment-projections-overview-and-highlights-2022-32.htm)  

These STEM occupations are also some of the highest paying jobs. According to the U.S. BLS, in May 2023 in Hawaii, healthcare industry occupations had a mean annual wage of $125,820, computer and mathematical occupations had a mean annual wage of $96,420, and architecture and engineering had a mean annual wage of $93,340. (https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_hi.htm#00-0000)