Table 32-3. Labor force participation rate among U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers, by occupation: 2015

Occupation	Labor force participation rate
Occupation	Percent	SE
All occupations	87.2	0.15
Science occupations	87.3	0.20
Biological/agricultural/other life scientists	87.5	0.40
Agricultural/food scientists	80.2	2.10
Biochemists/biophysicists	85.7	1.70
Biological scientists	87.2	1.05
Forestry/conservation scientists	83.8	3.60
Medical scientists	89.9	0.75
Postsecondary teachers, agricultural/other natural sciences	82.0	2.05
Postsecondary teachers, biological sciences	88.2	0.85
Other biological/agricultural/life scientists	89.9	1.00
Computer/information scientists	89.0	0.70
Computer/information scientists	89.3	0.75
Postsecondary teachers, computer science	87.7	1.55
Mathematical scientists	87.4	0.80
Mathematical scientists	88.5	1.15
Postsecondary teachers, mathematics/statistics	86.5	1.05
Physical scientists	86.3	0.55
Chemists, except biochemists	83.2	1.15
Earth/atmospheric/ocean scientists	84.9	1.40
Physicists/astronomers	87.5	1.25
Postsecondary teachers, chemistry	88.4	1.10
Postsecondary teachers, physics	88.4	1.45
Postsecondary teachers, other physical sciences	87.6	1.45
Other physical scientists	86.5	1.90
Psychologists	87.9	0.55
Psychologists	88.1	0.75
Postsecondary teachers, psychology	87.4	1.00
Social scientists	86.4	0.55
Economists	82.8	1.85
Political scientists	86.8	4.10
Postsecondary teachers, economics	86.5	1.50
Postsecondary teachers, political science	88.1	1.65
Postsecondary teachers, sociology	87.6	1.50
Postsecondary teachers, other social sciences	88.9	1.05
Sociologists/anthropologists	76.7	2.80
Other social scientists	86.0	1.60
Engineering occupations	91.0	0.40
Aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineers	84.1	2.10
Chemical engineers	85.1	2.30
Civil/architectural/sanitary engineers	90.5	1.95
Electrical engineers	92.2	1.05
Industrial engineers	85.6	4.95
Mechanical engineers	89.3	1.55
Postsecondary teachers, engineering	93.4	0.70
Other engineers	91.8	0.80
S&E-related occupations	86.9	0.55
Health occupations, except postsecondary teachers and managers	88.5	0.90
Postsecondary teachers, health and related sciences	88.8	1.05
S&E managers, including health	87.9	0.95
S&E precollege teachers	85.0	2.30
S&E technicians and technologists	63.3	3.45
Other S&E-related occupations	88.4	4.40
Non-S&E occupations	84.0	0.50
Arts/humanities-related occupations	82.9	1.70
Management-related occupations	84.3	1.05
Non-S&E managers	86.5	0.65
Non-S&E postsecondary teachers	87.1	1.05
Non-S&E precollege/other teachers	68.0	2.85
Sales/marketing occupations	80.6	2.10
Social service–related occupations	80.3	2.35
Other non-S&E occupations	80.0	1.70

NOTES: Labor force is defined as those employed (E) plus those unemployed and seeking work (U). Population (P) is defined as all S&E doctorate holders less than 76 years of age, who were residing in the United States during the week of 1 February 2015, and who earned doctorates from U.S. institutions. Labor force participation rate (RLF) = (E+U)/P. If respondent was not employed during survey reference period, occupation when last employed was reported. Excludes 300 individuals who reported never having worked so could not be classified by occupation. Residence location is based on reported living location on 1 February 2015.