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Table 36. U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers employed as postdocs, by occupation: 2017

Occupation Number SE
All occupations 25,000 700
Science occupations 21,650 675
Biological/agricultural/other life scientists 15,450 525
Agricultural/food scientists 650 100
Biochemists/biophysicists 3,650 275
Biological scientists 4,150 300
Forestry/conservation scientists 50 25
Medical scientists 4,150 325
Postsecondary teachers, agricultural/other natural sciences D D
Postsecondary teachers, biological sciences 100 50
Other biological/agricultural/life scientists 2,650 225
Computer/information scientists 300 75
Computer/information scientists 250 75
Postsecondary teachers, computer science D D
Mathematical scientists 800 150
Mathematical scientists 500 125
Postsecondary teachers, mathematics/statistics 300 100
Physical scientists 3,750 300
Chemists, except biochemists 1,450 200
Earth/atmospheric/ocean scientists 700 100
Physicists/astronomers 1,250 150
Postsecondary teachers, chemistry D D
Postsecondary teachers, physics D D
Postsecondary teachers, other physical sciences * *
Other physical scientists 300 100
Psychologists 650 125
Psychologists. 650 125
Postsecondary teachers, psychology S S
Social scientists 750 125
Economists 100 50
Political scientists D D
Postsecondary teachers, economics D D
Postsecondary teachers, political science D D
Postsecondary teachers, sociology D D
Postsecondary teachers, other social sciences 100 50
Sociologists/anthropologists 150 50
Other social scientists 300 75
Engineering occupations 1,900 200
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering D D
Chemical engineers 200 75
Civil/architectural/sanitary engineers 200 75
Electrical engineers 200 75
Industrial engineersa D D
Mechanical engineers 250 75
Postsecondary teachers, engineering S S
Other engineers 950 150
S&E-related occupations 1,250 200
Health occupations, except postsecondary teachers and managers 600 150
Postsecondary teachers, health and related sciences 100 50
S&E managers, including health 200 50
S&E precollege teachers D D
S&E technicians and technologists 300 100
Other S&E-related occupations D D
Non-S&E occupations 200 50
Arts/humanities-related occupations * *
Management-related occupations D D
Non-S&E managers S S
Non-S&E postsecondary teachers 50 50
Non-S&E precollege/other teachers D D
Sales/marketing occupations D D
Social service–related occupations D D
Other non-S&E occupations D D
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: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 50. Standard errors are rounded up to the nearest 25. Detail may not add to total because of rounding. A postdoc is a temporary position awarded in academe, industry, nonprofit organizations, or government primarily for gaining additional education and training in research. Postdoc status is reported for principal job as of survey reference date (1 February 2017). 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: 2017.