Engineering and Other STEM Programs 15 In-Demand Occupations | 103 Aligned Academic Programs Engineering and related occupations play an instrumental role in Tennessee businesses and are connected to several of TNECD’s target industries. The occupations that are in-demand in the most regions of Tennessee are electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineers, and architectural and civil drafters. Engineers require a bachelor’s degree, while the technologists, technicians, and drafters require associate degrees. The electrical and electronics engineering and mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree programs had employment rates of more than 50 percent and wages over $70,000. Several aligned academic programs in the Engineering and Other STEM cluster met the qualifications for unmet needs. Tennessee employers hired 66 percent of graduates from the master’s degree program in industrial engineering with first-year wages of $106,816. More than 72 percent of completers in electrical, electronic, and communications engineering technology programs were found in Tennessee employment data with wages above the state median. Multiple additional programs have 60 percent or more graduates employed in Tennessee making greater first-year wages than the Tennessee median, including drafting and design technology, mechatronics, robotics, and automation engineering (bachelor’s), and civil engineering (bachelor’s), among others.
RDA SW 38 | 14
