Getahn Ward

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

SmartAsset ranked Nashville fifth nationwide among best places to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

The Nashville Technology Council's latest tracking shows nearly 1,600 unfilled technology positions in Middle Tennessee.

In metro Nashville, the median pay among STEM workers in 2014 was $63,213, versus the national average of more than $72,000, the study showed.

Nashville had the highest income growth nationwide in science, technology, engineering and math fields from 2013 to 2014, according to a recent study by SmartAsset.

Pay for so-called STEM workers rose 5.3 percent locally, which was more than three times the national average growth rate of 1.6 percent, according to the New York-based financial technology company.

"It speaks to the growth of the technology industry and the value of the technology worker to the employer," said Bryan Huddleston, chief executive of the Nashville Technology Council, whose latest tracking shows nearly 1,600 unfilled technology positions in Middle Tennessee.

Experts consider the higher annual rate of increase important because attractive salaries are key to supporting growth and expansion of local STEM-related businesses. Higher pay is also critical to attracting more workers in science, technology, engineering and math fields to relocate here.

SmartAsset ranked Nashville fifth nationwide among best places to work in STEM occupations. That was based on the study's methodology, which gave 80 percent weight to average STEM pay and 20 percent weight to percentage annual growth in average pay.

In metro Nashville, the median pay for STEM workers in 2014 was $63,213, versus the national average of more than $72,000, the study showed.

Locally, computer network architect was the top STEM job for pay with a $107,210 median annual income, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That was followed by systems software developers with a $89,010 median annual income, and atmospheric and space scientists with a median annual income of $88,030.

Emma, Griffin Technology, Asurion, HealthStream and Gibson Guitar are among the notable STEM employers in Nashville cited in the study, which SmartAsset conducted for only the second year.

The latest study focused on the 54 largest metro areas nationwide with the biggest STEM workforces, including cities such as New York, Washington and San Jose, Calif.

Nick Wallace, SmartAsset's data editor, said the findings about Nashville indicate STEM jobs and workers are in high demand here, as well as growth in the local science, technology, engineering and math industry.

Reach Getahn Ward at 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.

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