In Today’s Economy, It Pays to Know Math

In our post-2008 era of intellectualism, not only is being a math geek cool, it also pays a lot, too.

And math is where the jobs are. The Labor Department estimates that mathematical science jobs will increase 26% from 2012 to 2022, more than double the 11% growth for all occupations.

The median annual wage for those in mathematical science jobs was $76,270 in 2012, more than double the median wage of $34,750 for all occupations, according to the department.

Where some math jobs are
Jobs Median wage Employment in 2012 Projected employment
growth, 2012-2022
Mathematicians $101,360 3,500 23%
Actuaries $93,680 24,300 26%
Computer systems analysts $79,680 520,600 25%
Financial analysts $76,950 253,000 16%
Statisticians $75,560 27,600 27%
Survey researchers $45,050 18,000 18%
All occupations 34,750 1%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

This makes the left, who resent the success of web 2.0 and STEM, mad. They’re mad that the world and America is not doomed and that millions of smart people in STEM and other high-IQ fields are making more money than everyone else. They, the welfare left, want America to regress to an egalitarian equilibrium, even if it make society worse-off. Equal, but poorer is the left’s motto.

From web 2.0, Tesla, and Uber to breakthroughs in physics – all in just the past few years – we’re witnessing a flourishing of knowledge and wealth creation like never seen before. As a rational optimist, there’s a lot to be optimistic about.