Science Careers in Flint Paying the Most
For many years, the United States has poured more funds into research and development than any other nation. As of 2023, the U.S. accounted for an impressive 37% of global scientific funding, creating a bright outlook for anyone eyeing a career in science. Recently, in February 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggested that jobs in this field could see a growth of 12.8% by 2033.
But not everything looks rosy: the Trump administration significantly cut funding and staffing early in 2025, leading to a lot of uncertainty in the job market for scientists. Things might not improve in 2026 either. The proposed budget hints at a staggering 40% cut for the National Institutes of Health and 55% for the National Science Foundation.
These cuts have forced many research programs to shut down, leaving fewer jobs available. As a consequence, new openings are becoming scarce—indeed, job listings dropped 18% in the first half of 2025. Some researchers have even started moving to places like Canada, Australia, and Europe for better opportunities and academic freedom.
Despite this bleak scenario, ongoing developments don’t indicate that scientific careers in the U.S. are doomed. Numerous excellent opportunities still flourish in both the public and private sectors. While many science positions require you to have advanced education—just like physicists and biochemists, who need a doctorate—other fields aren’t as demanding. For instance, you might only need an associate’s degree for a technician role. Areas like food science, environmental studies, geology, and zoology often expect a bachelor’s degree, and epidemiologists usually require a master’s degree.
If you’re up for a challenging yet rewarding career in science, Stacker went through BLS data to uncover the highest-paying positions in Flint. Jobs are ranked according to their median annual salaries based on May 2024 data, excluding any jobs without available salary info.
3. Urban and Regional Planners
- Median annual salary: $68,780
- Median hourly wage: $33.07
- Total employment: 50 roles (0.37 for every 1,000 jobs in the area)
2. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Median annual salary: $76,110
- Median hourly wage: $36.59
- Total employment: 60 roles (0.46 for every 1,000 jobs in the area)
1. Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Median annual salary: $79,130
- Median hourly wage: $38.04
- Total employment: 90 roles (0.64 for every 1,000 jobs in the area)
Data collected by Wade Zhou, written by Jill Jaracz; part of a comprehensive series analyzing data from 291 metropolitan areas.
