This indicator represents the extent to which a state’s workforce is employed in S&E-related occupations. S&E-related occupations require science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills and expertise, but they do not fall into the occupational categories of computer and mathematical scientists; biological, agricultural, and environmental life scientists; physical scientists; social scientists; and engineers. The main occupational categories and positions that make up S&E-related occupations include health care workers, S&E managers, and technologists and technicians. S&E-related workers include managers in the areas of computer and information science, engineering, or the natural sciences; computer programmers; surveyors; architectural and civil drafters; physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical personnel; and technicians in a wide variety of science-related fields. Scientists and engineers are not included in this indicator.

Data on individuals in S&E-related occupations and total occupations come from the Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), the largest household survey in the United States, with a sample size of about 3.5 million addresses. The ACS collects information on an annual basis.

Data source: Census Bureau, special tabulations of the American Community Survey.