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Table 32-3. Labor force participation rate among U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers, by occupation: 2017

Occupation Labor force participation rate
Percent SE
All occupations 86.0 0.15
Science occupations 86.0 0.25
Biological/agricultural/other life scientists 86.3 0.45
Agricultural/food scientists 80.6 1.35
Biochemists/biophysicists 87.9 1.20
Biological scientists 86.1 0.80
Forestry/conservation scientists 79.5 3.30
Medical scientists 88.4 0.80
Postsecondary teachers, agricultural/other natural sciences 80.4 2.35
Postsecondary teachers, biological sciences 85.9 0.95
Other biological/agricultural/life scientists 87.7 1.30
Computer/information scientists 88.7 0.60
Computer/information scientists 89.3 0.70
Postsecondary teachers, computer science 85.5 1.85
Mathematical scientists 87.1 0.75
Mathematical scientists 88.9 1.05
Postsecondary teachers, mathematics/statistics 85.4 1.05
Physical scientists 84.3 0.50
Chemists, except biochemists 82.0 1.00
Earth/atmospheric/ocean scientists 82.7 1.40
Physicists/astronomers 82.3 1.60
Postsecondary teachers, chemistry 87.1 1.15
Postsecondary teachers, physics 87.6 1.45
Postsecondary teachers, other physical sciences 85.7 1.60
Other physical scientists 84.9 1.80
Psychologists 85.6 0.60
Psychologists. 85.4 0.75
Postsecondary teachers, psychology 86.0 1.10
Social scientists 84.9 0.60
Economists 82.5 1.75
Political scientists 76.0 5.15
Postsecondary teachers, economics 87.1 1.40
Postsecondary teachers, political science 87.2 1.85
Postsecondary teachers, sociology 85.1 1.95
Postsecondary teachers, other social sciences 87.4 1.10
Sociologists/anthropologists 72.9 2.80
Other social scientists 84.8 1.75
Engineering occupations 90.0 0.40
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering 83.7 2.00
Chemical engineers 87.7 1.70
Civil/architectural/sanitary engineers 89.4 1.95
Electrical engineers 91.5 0.90
Industrial engineersa 92.7 3.80
Mechanical engineers 87.4 1.65
Postsecondary teachers, engineering 92.9 0.80
Other engineers 89.7 0.75
S&E-related occupations 85.6 0.55
Health occupations, except postsecondary teachers and managers 86.8 0.90
Postsecondary teachers, health and related sciences 87.1 0.95
S&E managers, including health 88.1 0.90
S&E precollege teachers 76.8 2.60
S&E technicians and technologists 72.7 2.50
Other S&E-related occupations 88.5 4.35
Non-S&E occupations 83.9 0.40
Arts/humanities-related occupations 79.9 1.90
Management-related occupations 86.3 0.95
Non-S&E managers 87.2 0.60
Non-S&E postsecondary teachers 82.7 1.20
Non-S&E precollege/other teachers 73.0 2.25
Sales/marketing occupations 80.8 1.60
Social service–related occupations 78.0 2.40
Other non-S&E occupations 79.9 1.55
Codes used in data tables: * = suppressed when population estimate < 25. D = suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information. na = not applicable. S = suppressed for reliability; coefficient of variation exceeds publication standards.
S&E = science and engineering; SE = standard error.
a From 1999 to 2008, data for Industrial engineers were mislabeled as “Materials/metallurgical engineers.” For all years, data in this category have included only industrial engineers. For all years, data on Materials/metallurgical engineers have been included only in Other engineers.
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 2017, 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 350 individuals who reported never having worked so could not be classified by occupation. Residence location is based on reported living location on 1 February 2017.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 2015.