Missouri metros earn STEM credentials

To help STEM professionals find the best markets for their valuable occupations, WalletHub recently analyzed the 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States to determine which provided the best job environment for STEM professionals. The data found that St. Louis is the 15th best city in the nation for STEM professionals, and Kansas City is the 31st best city. Additionally, St. Louis was found to have the 3rd highest STEM High Schools Index.

Gov. Jay Nixon has made enhancing education in Missouri, particularly STEM education, a top priority of his administration. Last week, the Governor made several stops at area schools to discuss Project Lead the Way, a rigorous, project-based program that provides hands-on learning experiences for students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Through Project Lead the Way, Missouri offers 351 programs to 319 participating schools, ranking 10th in the country in number of programs. The Governor’s FY16 budget proposal includes funding to expand Project Lead the Way to an additional 350 elementary schools across the statewide. 

Kansas City’s ranking was further confirmed by a recent report from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), which found that information technology occupations are in high demand in the Kansas City area. Currently, there are over 20,000 people employed in IT occupations in the Kansas City area. This number is projected to grow by 18.7 percent from 2012-2022, compared to 9.7 percent growth for all occupations. Current demand for these occupations is also high, with Real-Time Labor Analysis showing over 8,000 job postings for IT careers in the Kansas City area over the year ending November 2014.

To learn more about Kansas City’s growing IT industry, please click here to read the full report from MERIC.