Back to Data Tables
Download to excel

nsf.gov - Table 2 - NCSES Characteristics of Scientists and Engineers in the United States: 2010 - US National Science Foundation (NSF) SAS Output
Newer information icon. Newer information is available.
Table 2. U.S. scientists and engineers, by labor force status and level of highest degree: 2010
 

Labor force status and degree background              All degree levels Bachelor's Master's Doctorate Professional
Number SE Percent SE % Number SE Percent SE % Number SE Percent SE % Number SE Percent SE % Number SE Percent SE %
Scientists and engineers 26,882,000 166,000 100.0 0.00 15,436,000 142,000 57.4 0.30 7,878,000 70,500 29.3 0.25 1,297,000 15,500 4.8 0.10 2,272,000 47,500 8.5 0.20
Employed 21,903,000 154,500 100.0 0.00 12,420,000 134,000 56.7 0.35 6,372,000 64,000 29.1 0.30 1,105,000 16,000 5.0 0.10 2,006,000 42,000 9.2 0.20
Employed in S&E occupation 5,398,000 64,000 100.0 0.00 3,033,000 56,000 56.2 0.60 1,632,000 32,000 30.2 0.55 675,000 8,500 12.5 0.25 58,000 10,500 1.1 0.20
Educated in S&E (holds at least one S&E degree) 4,379,000 43,000 100.0 0.00 2,268,000 33,000 51.8 0.50 1,436,000 26,500 32.8 0.50 643,000 6,500 14.7 0.20 32,000 4,000 0.7 0.10
No S&E degree but holds at least one S&E-related degree 252,000 14,000 100.0 0.00 173,000 12,000 68.7 2.15 52,000 5,500 20.6 1.95 14,000 2,500 5.6 0.85 13,000 2,500 5.2 1.00
Non-S&E degree only 767,000 52,500 100.0 0.00 591,000 48,000 77.1 2.90 144,000 22,000 18.8 2.55 18,000 6,000 2.3 0.80 S S S S
Employed in S&E-related occupation 6,957,000 88,500 100.0 0.00 3,840,000 82,000 55.2 0.80 1,753,000 45,000 25.2 0.60 167,000 13,000 2.4 0.20 1,197,000 32,000 17.2 0.50
Educated in S&E (holds at least one S&E degree) 2,900,000 44,000 100.0 0.00 1,268,000 31,500 43.7 0.85 780,000 22,500 26.9 0.70 114,000 6,500 3.9 0.25 738,000 23,500 25.4 0.75
No S&E degree but holds at least one S&E-related degree 2,893,000 54,500 100.0 0.00 1,740,000 44,000 60.1 0.95 664,000 23,000 23.0 0.70 39,000 7,000 1.3 0.25 450,000 22,000 15.6 0.75
Non-S&E degree only 1,164,000 73,500 100.0 0.00 832,000 63,000 71.5 3.00 309,000 39,000 26.5 2.85 S S S S D D D D
Employed in non-S&E occupation 9,549,000 97,500 100.0 0.00 5,548,000 83,500 58.1 0.55 2,987,000 49,000 31.3 0.50 263,000 7,500 2.8 0.10 751,000 26,000 7.9 0.30
Educated in S&E (holds at least one S&E degree) 8,331,000 86,500 100.0 0.00 4,824,000 76,000 57.9 0.55 2,555,000 43,500 30.7 0.55 242,000 7,000 2.9 0.10 711,000 25,000 8.5 0.30
No S&E degree but holds at least one S&E-related degree 1,217,000 46,000 100.0 0.00 724,000 38,500 59.5 1.75 433,000 24,500 35.6 1.75 21,000 3,500 1.7 0.30 39,000 5,000 3.2 0.45
Non-S&E degree only ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne
Unemployeda 993,000 29,500 100.0 0.00 638,000 24,000 64.2 1.40 269,000 15,000 27.1 1.35 30,000 2,500 3.0 0.25 56,000 10,000 5.6 0.95
Educated in S&E (holds at least one S&E degree) 809,000 23,000 100.0 0.00 523,000 18,500 64.6 1.35 220,000 11,500 27.2 1.25 29,000 2,000 3.6 0.25 38,000 8,500 4.7 1.00
No S&E degree but holds at least one S&E-related degree 184,000 16,000 100.0 0.00 115,000 13,500 62.5 4.20 49,000 8,000 26.6 3.85 2,000 1,000 1.1 0.45 18,000 5,500 9.8 2.75
Non-S&E degree only ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne
Not in labor forceb 3,986,000 57,500 100.0 0.00 2,377,000 50,000 59.6 0.75 1,237,000 30,000 31.0 0.70 161,000 6,500 4.0 0.20 211,000 15,500 5.3 0.40
Educated in S&E (holds at least one S&E degree) 3,109,000 48,500 100.0 0.00 1,854,000 40,000 59.6 0.75 980,000 25,000 31.5 0.70 143,000 5,500 4.6 0.20 131,000 11,500 4.2 0.40
No S&E degree but holds at least one S&E-related degree 877,000 32,000 100.0 0.00 523,000 25,500 59.6 1.95 257,000 18,500 29.3 1.80 18,000 3,500 2.1 0.35 80,000 10,000 9.1 1.10
Non-S&E degree only ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne

Data codes used in these tables: * = value < 500. D = suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information. ne = not eligible; does not meet SESTAT population criteria. S = suppressed for reliability; coefficient of variation exceeds publication standards.
Abbreviations used in these tables: S&E = science and engineering; SE = standard error.
a Unemployed includes individuals who were not working during the survey reference week but had been seeking work in the prior 4 weeks or who were on layoff from job.
b Not in labor force includes individuals who were not working during the survey reference week and had not been seeking work in the prior 4 weeks because of retirement, family responsibilities, chronic illness, or other reasons.
NOTES: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000. Standard errors for numbers are rounded up to the nearest 500. Percentages are based on rounded numbers and are rounded to the nearest 0.1%. Standard errors for percentages are rounded up to the nearest 0.05%. Detail may not add to total because of rounding. Scientists and engineers are bachelor's and higher degreed individuals living in the United States with an S&E or S&E-related degree or occupation. See appendix for additional details on coverage, eligibility, educational field classification, and occupational classification.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT): 2010.
Data from survey cycle 2010, as of 22 September 2014.