Five of the best paying STEM jobs

Five of the best paying STEM jobs by Amber Rolfe Considering a career in STEM?If you’re looking for a well-paid position in science, technology, engineering, or maths, your luck is in. Not only is there a vast amount of opportunities available in these sectors, starting salaries can also be extremely lucrative. You just need to find the role that best suits your skills.To make sure you’re not missing out, here are five of the best-paying STEM jobs that will inspire you to get involved:ActuaryAre you always thinking about the financial consequences of your actions? Do you shop on a strict buy-one-get-one-free policy? Can’t even bring yourself to buy lunch without a five point plan? Then you should evaluate monetary risks for a living…It’s up to an Actuary to use their expert knowledge on business, economics, and maths to give financial advice to non-specialists.They usually work for banks, insurance companies, or investment management and corporate finance organisations â€" using statistical theories to help them to predict situations that may put the company at financial risk.If you’re mathematically and analytically minded, with an ability to communicate complex data in simplified terms, a career as an Actuary could be for you. And, you might even learn how to save your own money more efficiently…Will I need a degree? Yes. Ideally in maths, business, economics, finance, engineering, or an actuarial subject.Perfect for: People who think before they spend.Avoid if: You avoid looking at your bank balance until payday.What you can earn: Up to £60,000.View all Actuary jobsView more Maths jobs  Information Security AnalystPhishing for a career in data security?With technology advancing and cyber-crimes on the rise, the security of a company’s electronic information needs protecting now more than ever. To avoid file corruption, unauthorised access, and theft, it’s an Information Security Analyst’s job to analyse security measures and procedures to ensure the network (and the enclosed data) remains safe and secure.Their work involves developing new ways to improve a company’s security, writing reports on its efficiency, documenting/simulating security breaches and recognising flaws, and organising training to ensure all members of the organisation are up-to-date with information safeguarding policies.If you’re knowledgeable about IT security systems and are always aware of common and upcoming threats and trends within the field, a career as an Information Security Analyst could be the best choice for you. You’ll also need to be a proactive problem solver, with excellent data analysis skills.Bonus points if you know what ‘pharming’ means…Will I need a degree? A degree in an IT related subject will be beneficial, but previous work experience in IT could also give you the essential skills to get started as an Information Security Analyst.Perfect for: People who want to work in tech.Avoid if: You can’t stop clicking on pop-up ads.What you c an earn: Up to £60,000.View all Information Security Analyst jobsView more Technology jobsPetroleum EngineerPetroleum Engineers work within several subsectors (completion, drilling, production, and reservoir) to find ways to efficiently extract oil and gas from below the earth’s surface â€" whilst considering other important factors such as profit, environmental impact, and safety.Although it’s not necessarily as popular or well-known as other careers in engineering, salaries for Petroleum Engineers can be the highest in the sector, due to the amount of responsibility they have and the revenue their job creates. And, the oil and gas industry is extremely lucrative.If you’ve got excellent problem solving skills, and want to find better and more efficient ways of doing things, then petroleum engineering could be your perfect career choice. Natural maths and technical analysis skills will also be a distinct advantage.Because, you know what they say, sometimes the best careers ta ke a bit of digging*…Will I need a degree? A degree in an engineering subject is usually required, although other related disciplines will also be considered.Perfect for: People who are good at ‘extracting’ the best out of things.Avoid if: You’re not a big fan of getting your hands dirty.What you can earn: Up to £95,000.View all Petroleum Engineer jobsView more Engineering jobsRadiologistIf you’re looking for a career that allows you to really see things, becoming a Radiologist could be the next logical step…Radiologists diagnose the disorders or diseases shown in X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and other specialist medical scans which are taken by a Radiographer. They then document and share their findings with referring physicians to suggest possible treatment routes and assess the need for further testing.If you have a strong scientific background, and a knack for diagnosing ailments and problem solving, radiology might be the best career choice for you.Specialist medical equipment provides a massive helping hand when it comes to interpreting scans, so you’ll also need to be able to operate these effectively. Because rogue machines won’t end well for anyone involved…Will I need a degree? A medical degree is essential to become a Radiologist, and you’ll also need to complete a residency before becoming fully qualified.Perfect for: People who want a high-paying career in science and healthcare.Avoid if: You have a slightly irrational fear of X-rays.What you can earn: Up to £120,000.View all Radiologist jobsView more Scientific jobsSystems DeveloperBoomerang. Python. Ruby.If you distinguish the above words as coding languages instead of just a flying object, a snake, and you know, a colour â€" then you might just be cut out for a life in systems development.Systems Developers design, build, and develop computer systems. They also test the systems in order to diagnose and fix any faults, as well as suggest further improvements.Their role involv es a lot of technical research and analysis, and a Systems Developer’s keen eye for detail and knowledge of programming languages is what makes or breaks a computer system. Faults are common in any technology, so you’ll need to be able to spot issues quickly and efficiently, not to mention, know how to solve them.If your childhood involved building websites (and yes, Myspace counts) instead of building Lego, you’ve probably come to the right place…Will I need a degree? Graduates with a degree in a relevant subject will be the number one choice for most employers, but applicants with a degree in any discipline who can demonstrate good technical ability may also be considered.Perfect for: People who know how to fix things.Avoid if: You usually run out of ideas after ‘have you tried turning it off and on again’?What you can earn: Up to £70,000.View all Systems Developer jobsView more Technology jobs*May not actually be a saying.