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The adequacy of the U.S. science and engineering workforce has been an ongoing concern of Congress for more than 60 years. Scientists and engineers are widely believed to be essential to U.S. technological leadership, innovation, manufacturing, and services, and thus vital to U.S. economic strength, national defense, and other societal needs. Congress has enacted many programs to support the education and development of scientists and engineers. Congress has also undertaken broad efforts to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to prepare a greater number of students to pursue science and engineering (S&E) degrees. In addition, some policy makerspolicymakers have sought to increase the number of foreign scientists and engineers working in the United States through changes in visa and immigration policies.
Policy makersPolicymakers, business leaders, academicians, S&E professional society analysts, economists, and others hold diverse views with respect to the adequacy of the S&E workforce and related policy issues. These issues include whether a shortage of scientists and engineers exists in the United States, what the nature of such a shortage might be (e.g., too few people with S&E degrees, mismatched skills and needs), and whether the federal government should undertake policy interventions to address such a putative shortage or to allow market forces to work in this labor market. Among the key indicators used by labor economists to assess occupational labor shortages are employment growth, wage growth, and unemployment rates.
In 20122016, there were 6.29 million scientists and engineers (as defined in this report) employed in the United States, accounting for 4.89% of total U.S. employment. Science and engineering employment was concentrated in two S&E occupational groups, computer occupations (5657.6%) and engineers (2523.6%), with the rest accounted for by S&E managers (98.4%), physical scientists (43.8%), life scientists (4.1%), and those in mathematical occupations (2.4%). From 2008 to 20122012 to 2016, S&E employment increased by 352,370747,040, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.52.9%, while overall U.S. employment contracted at 0grew by 1.9% CAGR. Viewed only in aggregate, the increase in S&E employment masks the varied degrees of growth and decline in detailed S&E occupations.
In 20122016, the mean wage for all scientists and engineers was $87,33094,450, while the mean wage for all other occupations was $45,79049,630. Between 20082012 and 20122016, the nominal mean wages of the S&E occupational groups grew between 1.40% CAGR (life scientists) and 2.2% CAGR (physical scientists, S&E managers, mathematiciansmathematical occupations) and 2.5% CAGR (S&E managers). Inflation-adjusted wage growth for each of the S&E occupational groups was less than 0.61.4% CAGR, and in the case of life scientistsmathematical occupations was negative. Nominal wage growth for all occupations in the economy was 1.12.0%; real wages declined 0.5grew by 0.9%.
Compared to the overall workforce, the S&E occupational groups had significantly lower unemployment rates for the 2008-20122012-2016 period. In general, though, the professional occupations (of which the S&E occupations are a part) historically have had lower unemployment rates than the workforce as a whole. In 2012, the overall S&E unemployment rate of 3.6% was higher than for 2016, with the exception of life scientists, the unemployment rates for S&E occupational groups (2.0%-2.9%) were higher than other selected professional occupations, including lawyers (1.40.7%), physicians and surgeons (0.85%), dentists (1.50.4%), and registered nurses (2.6%)1.2%). Life scientists had an unemployment rate of 0.6%.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of S&E jobs will grow by 953,200694,400 between 20122014 and 20222024, a growth rate (1.30% CAGR) that is somewhat faster than that of the overall workforce (1.00.6%). In addition, BLS projects that 1.3 million scientists and engineers will be needed to replace those projected to exit S&E occupations. The number of scientists and engineers needed to meet growth and net replacement needs between 20122014 and 20222024 is 2.30 million, including 1.21 million in the computer occupations and 544,300510,700 engineers.
Many congressional policy makerspolicymakers have an ongoing interest in whether the number of U.S. scientists and engineers is sufficient to meet the needs of U.S. employers, to spur economic growth and job creation through innovation, to maintain U.S. global technological leadership and industrial competitiveness, and to address other important national and societal needs.
To help ensure an adequate science and engineering (S&E) workforce, Congress has established and funded a variety of federal programs. These programs are intended to foster improved science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills among students; to incentivize students to pursue degrees in science and engineering through tools such as fellowships, assistantships, and traineeships; and to provide graduate and post-graduate research experiences at U.S. colleges and universities through the financing of university-based research. The 113115th Congress is considering a wide variety of legislation to promote STEM education.th Congress is considering legislation to create, reform, and provide funding for STEM education efforts, and may seek to reauthorize the America COMPETES Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69) and the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-358).1 In addition, Congress is considering changes to immigration policies, among them the number of visas and processes associated with F-1 visas, H-1B visas, L1L-1 visas, and legal permanent residency ("green cards"), to address U.S. S&E workforce needs.21
As Congress develops policies and programs and makes appropriations to help address the nation's needs for scientists and engineers, it may wish to consider past, current, and projected S&E workforce trends. Among the key factors that labor economists examine for evidence of labor shortages are employment growth, wage growth, and unemployment rates relative to other occupations.32 This report provides employment, wage, and unemployment information for the computer occupations, mathematical occupations, engineers, life scientists, physical scientists, and S&E management occupations, as follows:
A final section, "Concluding Observations," provides stakeholder perspectives that Congress may wish to consider as it seeks to ensure that the United States has an adequate S&E workforce to meet the demands of the 21st century.
Most experts agree that there is no authoritative definition of which occupations comprise the science and engineering (S&E) workforce. Rather, the selection of occupations included in any particular analysis of the S&E workforce may vary. Some analysts, policy makerspolicymakers, and organizations may refer to the group in different ways (e.g., the scientific and technical workforce, the STEM workforce) and include varying sets of occupations. In 20012011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in defining the STEM occupations for a particular analysis, stated, "This is only one possible definition of STEM occupations; other definitions exist that may be better suited for other uses."4
The size of the S&E workforce varies substantially depending on which occupations are included in the definition. In its 20122016 Science and Engineering Indicators report, the National Science Board (NSB) stated, "In the most recent estimates, the U.S. S&E workforce (defined by occupation) totaled between 4.8 million and 6.4 million people."5 Previously, the NSB asserted that the S&E workforce could be as large as 21 million people if the definition included those with either an S&E degree or a degree in an S&E-related field such as health or technology.6
The policy debate about the adequacy of the U.S. S&E workforce has focused largely on the computer occupations, mathematical occupations, engineers, and physical scientists. For purposes of this report, these occupations, along with life scientists (a part of the natural sciences, with physics and chemistry) and S&E management occupations, are collectively referred to as the S&E workforce. Notably, this group does not include social scientists (e.g., economists, survey researchers, psychologists, sociologists, urban and regional planners, anthropologists, archeologists, geographers, historians, political scientists) or S&E-related technicians. As defined this way, the size of the S&E workforce in 20122016 was approximately 6.29 million.
This report uses a modified version of the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) system76 to categorize scientists and engineers. The report taxonomy includes six S&E occupational groups, each composed of closely related detailed occupations:
A description of the detailed occupations is provided in the Appendix.
This report relies on federal government employment, wage, and unemployment data from the following sources:
The "Current Trends in Employment, Wages, and Unemployment" section provides information on changes in employment, wages, and unemployment for the period 2008 to 20122012 to 2016. The "Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024" section relies entirely on the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics biennial employment projections for the 2012-2022 timeframe2014-2024 time frame.
It is important to note that a wide range of factors can affect the size and occupational composition of the U.S. S&E workforce. Among these factors are global and domestic economic conditions; the development and market adoption of new technologies; capital cost and availability; the level of public and private funding for research and development; changes in scientific, technological, and market opportunities; the size, knowledge, and skills of the U.S.-born labor force; the size, knowledge, and skills of the foreign-born labor force in the United States; and changes in business practices regarding the use of foreign-based science and engineering capabilities. This report does not attempt to attribute changes in the U.S. S&E workforce to any of these factors specifically.
In addition, a variety of factors may affect the comparability of OES data over time:
Although the OES survey methodology is designed to create detailed cross-sectional employment and wage estimates for the U.S., States, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, across industry and by industry, it is less useful for comparisons of two or more points in time. Challenges in using OES data as a time series include changes in the occupational, industrial, and geographical classification systems, changes in the way data are collected, changes in the survey reference period, and changes in mean wage estimation methodology, as well as permanent features of the methodology.14
In its examination of current trends, CRS chose the 2008-20122012-2016 time period, in part, to enhance comparability of data across the period by reducing inconsistencies resultingthat may result from changes in the OES occupational classification system, and in part to provide a current perspective on trends in the S&E occupations. The OES survey used the same occupational categories (based on the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification) throughout the 2012-2016throughout the 2008-2012 period.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics makes a number of estimates in developing its employment projections. These estimates include "the future size and composition of the population, as well as on the trends in labor force participation rates of different age, gender, race, and ethnic groups, a total of 136 separate categories," "the rate of growth and demand composition of real GDP, the labor productivity growth rate, and the inflation rate," expectations regarding the federal budget surplus or deficit, historical staffing patterns, shifts in product mix, changes in technology and business practices, and retirement rates.1514 If these estimates do not accurately reflect future performance, occupational employment projections may be over- or underestimated. Other factors may affect occupational projections as well, including changes to immigration laws and patterns, trade laws and practices, regulatory regimes, and social and educational patterns; wars and disasters; revolutionary advances in technology; and shifts in consumer tastes. The BLS evaluates the accuracy of its projections regularly and publishes these evaluations in its Monthly Labor Review.1615
This section provides a snapshot of the S&E workforce in 20122016, using employment, wages, and unemployment data.
Figure 1. Compilation of S&E Occupational Employment, |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, May Notes: Chart does not include social scientists or S&E-related technicians. For additional information about which detailed occupations are included, see "Occupational Taxonomy." |
In 20122016, the latest year for which Occupational Employment Statistics survey data are available, 6.29 million people were employed in the United States as scientists and engineers, accounting for 4.79% of total U.S. employment. Science and engineering employment was concentrated in two occupational groups—computer occupations and engineers—which together accounted for 81% of S&E jobs, with 5657.6% and 2523.6%, respectively. The remainder of S&E employment was accounted for by science and engineering managers (9%), physical8.4%), life scientists (4.1%), physical%), life scientists (43.8%), and mathematical occupations (2.4%). Employment totals and share of S&E occupational employment are presented in Figure 1.
(See Table 4 for more detailed 20122016 employment data on specific S&E occupations.)
Scientists and engineers have a mean annual wage that exceeds the mean annual wage for all occupations in the United States. In 20122016, the mean annual wage for all scientists and engineers was $87,33094,450; the mean annual wage for all occupations—professional and non-professional—was $45,790nonprofessional—was $49,630. S&E managers had the highest mean annual wage of all S&E occupational groups at $130,660144,270, followed by engineers, $90,96096,440; mathematical occupations, $84,940; physical scientists, $83,360; computer occupations, $80,02088,320; computer occupations, $87,870; physical scientists, $87,320; and life scientists, $77,62083,080. Scientists and engineers have lower mean annual wages than some other professionals, such as physicians and surgeons ($190,060210,170), dentists ($166,910178,670), and lawyers ($130139,880). (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2. Mean Annual Wages of S&E Occupational Groups and Other Selected Professional Occupations, |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, May |
Table 1 shows the 20122016 mean annual wage for each of the S&E occupational groups and individual S&E occupations, organized by S&E occupational group.
Occupational Group |
Mean Annual Wage |
Science and Engineering Managers |
$ |
Computer and Information Systems Managers |
129,130 |
Architectural and Engineering Managers |
133,240 |
Natural Sciences Managers |
130,400 |
Computer Occupations |
$ |
Computer and Information Research Scientists |
103,670 |
Computer Systems Analysts |
83,800 |
Information Security Analysts |
89,290 |
Computer |
78,260 |
Software Developers, Applications |
93,280 |
|
102,550 |
Web Developers |
66,100 |
Database Administrators |
79,120 |
Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
76,320 |
Computer Network Architects |
94,000 |
Computer User Support Specialists |
50,130 |
Computer Network Support Specialists |
62,690 |
Computer |
81,860 |
Mathematical Occupations |
$ |
Actuaries |
106,680 |
Mathematicians |
101,280 |
Operations Research Analysts |
79,830 |
Statisticians |
79,570 |
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other |
63,250 |
Engineers |
$ |
|
104,810 |
|
77,370 |
|
91,200 |
|
102,270 |
|
84,140 |
Computer Hardware Engineers |
103, |
|
91,810 |
|
95,250 |
Environmental Engineers |
85,140 |
Health and Safety Engineers, except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors |
79,760 |
|
82,100 |
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects |
96,140 |
|
87,490 |
Mechanical Engineers |
84,770 |
|
91,250 |
|
107,140 |
|
147,470 |
Engineers, All Other |
|
Life Scientists |
$ |
|
73,400 |
Food Scientists and Technologists |
64,140 |
Soil and Plant Scientists |
63,290 |
Biochemists and Biophysicists |
89,470 |
Microbiologists |
73,250 |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists |
62,500 |
|
76,220 |
|
63,590 |
Foresters |
57,140 |
Epidemiologists |
71,400 |
Medical Scientists, except Epidemiologists |
87,830 |
Life Scientists, All Other |
74,740 |
Physical Scientists |
$ |
Astronomers |
102,550 |
Physicists |
114,150 |
Atmospheric and Space Scientists |
90,010 |
Chemists |
76,870 |
|
89,740 |
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health |
68,970 |
Geoscientists, except Hydrologists and Geographers |
106,780 |
Hydrologists |
78,920 |
|
93,720 |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, May 20122016, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, httphttps://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm.
The 20122016 annual average unemployment rates for S&E occupational groups are shown in Figure 3, together with the annual average unemployment rates of other selected professional and related occupations.17 The annual averagerate for each S&E occupation is provided in Table 2. In 2016, the unemployment rates for the S&E occupations overall (3.6%) and for each of the S&E occupational groups (which range from 1.3% to 3.8%) were lower than the overall annual average unemployment rate for those 16 and over (7.3%) and lower than the annual average unemployment rate for the professional and related occupations group (4.2%).18 However, the annual average unemployment rates for most of the S&E occupational groupsS&E occupations range from 0.2% for biological scientists to 5.2% for web developers. The unemployment rate for every S&E occupation other than web developers was below the overall unemployment rate of 4.9%.16 However, the unemployment rates for most S&E occupations were higher than the rates for some other professional occupations—including lawyers (1dentists (0.4%), physicians and surgeons (0.8%), dentists (1.55%), lawyers (0.7%), and registered nurses (2.6%)—but lower in general than some, such as accountants and auditors (41.2%).
The unemployment rate for each detailed S&E occupation is provided in Table 2.19 The unemployment rates for S&E occupations range from 0.3% for astronomers and physicists to 18.5% for mining and geological engineers (including mine safety engineers). The unemployment rate for mining and geological engineers is more than twice the rate of any other detailed S&E occupation.20
Table 2. Annual Average Unemployment Rate for S&E Occupational Groups and Detailed S&E Occupations, 2012
Occupation |
Unemployment Rate (Percentage)
|
Unemployment Rate(Percentage)
Occupation |
Total, |
7.3 | |
3.0 |
||
Science and Engineering Managers |
3.0 |
|
Computer and |
3.2 |
|
Architectural and |
2.3 |
|
Natural |
2.1 |
|
Computer Occupations |
3.8 |
|
Computer and |
2.2 |
|
Computer |
|
|
Information |
0.9 |
|
Computer |
4.5 |
|
Software |
2.8 |
|
Web |
|
|
Computer |
6.6 |
|
Database |
3. |
|
Network and |
4.1 |
|
Computer |
2.2 |
|
Computer |
3. |
|
Mathematical Occupations |
1.3 |
|
Actuaries |
— |
|
Mathematicians |
— |
|
Operations |
|
|
Statisticians |
— |
|
Miscellaneous |
1.3 |
|
Engineers |
3.3 |
|
Aerospace |
3.7 |
|
Agricultural |
— |
|
Biomedical |
0.4 |
|
Chemical |
2.7 |
|
Civil |
3.4 |
|
Computer |
1. |
|
Electrical and |
3.4 |
|
Environmental |
2.7 |
|
Industrial |
2. |
|
Marine |
8.2 |
|
Materials |
4.4 |
|
Mechanical |
|
|
Mining and |
18.5 |
|
Nuclear |
1.7 |
|
Petroleum |
0.6 |
|
Engineers, |
3.4 |
|
Life Scientists |
2.9 |
|
Agricultural and |
3.7 |
|
Biological |
3.0 |
|
Conservation |
2.1 |
|
Medical |
2.2 |
|
Life |
— |
|
Physical Scientists |
3.3 |
|
Astronomers and |
0.3 |
|
Atmospheric and |
— |
|
Chemists and |
5.5 |
|
Environmental |
2.6 |
|
Physical |
3.1 |
Source: Current Population Survey, 20122016, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
Notes: Unemployment for occupations refers to the experienced unemployed (those with prior work experience), classified according to their last job. For occupations in which the total number of employed and unemployed totals less than 50,000 the unemployment rate is not shown;— indicate data are not available.
This section provides information on changes in employment, wages, and unemployment for the period 2008 to 20122012 to 2016.
During the 2008-20122012-2016 period, aggregate S&E employment increased by 353,520747,040 jobs, rising from 5.86.2 million to 6.29 million, a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%.212.9%.17 The growth in the S&E occupations ran counter toexceeded growth in overall U.S. employment, which contracted at 0grew 1.9% CAGR during this same period. Growth rates for the S&E occupational groups and detailed occupations are provided in the following sections.
Figure 43 illustrates the aggregate size and occupational composition of the S&E workforce from 2008 to 2012. Aggregate employment decreased somewhat from 2008 to 2010, led by reductions in the number of engineers employed. Modest growth in aggregate S&E employment returned in 2011 and 2012, led by increases in computer occupationsin 2012 and 2016. Aggregate S&E employment increased by 747,040 from 2012 to 2016, led by growth in the computer occupations (540,880), engineers (105,320), and mathematical occupations (46,700).
Figure by S&E Occupational Group |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, |
Table 3 provides employment data—20082012 employment, 20122016 employment, and changes in number employed, and the compound annual growth rates during the 2008 to 20122012 to 2016 period—for each S&E occupational group. The fastest growth rate among S&E occupational groups during this period was in mathematical occupations, which grew at 2.8%8.5% CAGR, while the largest increase in the number employed was in computer occupations, which added 258,450540,880 jobs. The slowest growth rate among S&E occupational groups during this period was in engineers which grew at 0.2for physical scientists, which contracted by 1.1% CAGR.
Occupation |
Employment, |
Employment, |
Employment Change, |
Employment Change, (Percentage) |
All occupations |
135,185,230 |
130,287,700 |
-4,897,530 |
-0.9% |
All S&E occupations |
5,835,390 |
6, |
353,520 |
1.5% |
S&E managers |
502,180 |
545,940 |
43,760 |
2.1% |
Computer occupations |
3, |
3, |
258,450 |
2.0% |
Mathematical occupations |
109,130 |
121,710 |
12,580 |
2.8% |
Engineers |
1, |
1, |
13,880 |
0.2% |
Life scientists |
250,250 |
260,040 |
9,790 |
1.0% |
Physical scientists |
259,550 |
274,610 |
15,060 |
-1.1 |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, 2008-20122012-2016, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, httphttps://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm.
Table 4 provides 2008-20122012-2016 employment data for each of the S&E occupations, organized by S&E group. The data indicate that there was substantial variation in the number of jobs gained and lost among the S&E occupations, as well as in their growth rates. With respect to the number employed, the occupation with the largest gain was software developers, applications, which added 92,180207,660 jobs, while the occupation experiencing the largest decrease was computer programmers, which lost 77,44045,590 jobs. Some have speculated that some of the losses in computer programmers may be due to reclassification of these positions as other computer occupations (e.g., software developers). The S&E occupation with the fastest growth rate was petroleum engineers with a 14.9% CAGR, adding 15,530 new jobs, while the occupation with the fastest decline was mathematical science occupations, all other, which experienced a -34.43% CAGR and a loss of 5,380 jobs. The three fastest declining occupations were all "other" categories—mathematical science occupations, all other; engineers, all other; and life scientists, all other. These declines may be due, in part, to assignation by employers of jobs previously classified in these residual classifications to other detailed and specific S&E occupations; if so, consequentially, some growth in the detailed occupations may be due, in part, to such re-assignations.
Among the computer occupations with comparable data across the 2008-2012 period,22 those with the fastest growth rates were software developers, applications (4.4% CAGR); network and computer systems administrators (1.7% CAGR); and software developers, systems software (0.6% CAGR). Nevertheless, it appears that the vast majority of job growth occurred in the occupational areas that were separated into more detailed occupational classifications in the 2012 survey. Comparing the aggregate of two 2012 detailed occupations—computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists—to the previously used classification, "computer support specialists," shows job growth of 148,090 (6.2% CAGR).23 Similarly, comparing three 2012 detailed occupations—information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects—to the previously used classification, "information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects," shows job growth of 148,090 (8.0% CAGR).24 Within the computer occupations group, these gains offset losses in other computer occupations, including computer programmers (-77,440, -5.3% CAGR); database administrators (4,180, -0.9% CAGR); and computer occupations, all other (-6,050, -0.8% CAGR).
Among the computer occupations, those with the fastest growth rates were computer occupations, all other (8.9% CAGR); software developers, applications (7.9% CAGR); and information security analysts (7.5% CAGR). The only computer occupation that experienced a decline in employment was computer programmers, which fell by 3.8% CAGR.Elevenoccupations with the fastest growth rates were mathematical scientists, all other (13.2% CAGR, 780 new jobs), and operations research analysts (12.1% CAGR, 39,970 new jobs). The occupation with the fastest decline was physical scientists, all other (-6.9% CAGR, loss of 6,270 jobs).
mechanicalindustrial engineers (18,930, 2.036,420, 3.9% CAGR), petroleummechanical engineers (15,530, 14.933,250, 3.1% CAGR), and aerospacecivil engineers (12,620, 4.429,700, 2.8% CAGR). Employment gains in these and other engineering occupations were offset by declines in seveneight engineering occupations, including engineers, all other (-46,830, -7.8% CAGR); electronics engineers (-4,970, -0.9% CAGR); and civil engineers (-3,260, -0.3aerospace engineers (-11,910, -3.9% CAGR); computer hardware engineers (-6,630, -2.2% CAGR); and petroleum engineers (-3,630, -2.6% CAGR).
Growth in the mathematical occupations was led by operations research analysts (8,320, 3.339,970, 12.1% CAGR), statisticians (4,890, 5.4%), actuaries (3,120, 4.0% CAGR), and mathematicians (480, 4.1% CAGR). Mathematical science occupations, all other, declined (-5,380, -34.4% CAGR).
Among life scientists, the occupation biochemists and biophysicists had the largest employment growth (4,180, 4.4% CAGR), followed by food scientists and technologists (3,170, 6.8% CAGR), which also had the fastest growth rate. Employment declined in four life science occupations: medical scientists (-4,330, -1.1% CAGR); life scientists, all other (-3,090, -7.2% CAGR); foresters (-690, -1.7% CAGR); and animal scientists (-640, -6.4% CAGR).
The physical sciences occupations with the largest growth were environmental scientists and specialists (4,120, 1.3% CAGR); geoscientists (3,920, 3.0% CAGR), and physicists (3,010, 4.7% CAGR). Employment in two physical sciences occupations declined: material scientists (-1,680, ˗4.7% CAGR), and hydrologists (-710, -2.4% CAGR).
Employment grew in each of the S&E managers occupations. The largest growth was in computer and information systems managers (32,920, 2.8% CAGR). Natural science managers had the fastest growth rate (3.1%), adding 5,500 jobs. Architectural and engineering managers grew by 5,340, with a growth rate of 0.7%.
Occupational Group |
|
Among life scientists, medical scientists, except epidemiologists, had the largest employment growth (13,450, 3.4% CAGR), followed by biological sciences, all other (4,030, 3.1% CAGR), and microbiologists (3,120, 4.0% CAGR). Employment declined in three life science occupations: life scientists, all other (-1,050, -3.1% CAGR); foresters (-1,050, -2.9% CAGR); and zoologists and wildlife biologists (-930, -1.3% CAGR). The only physical sciences occupation with substantial growth was chemists (1,710, 0.5% CAGR). Environmental scientists and specialists, including health, remained essentially unchanged. Seven others physical sciences occupations declined, led by physical scientists, all other (-6,270, -6.9% CAGR), geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers (-4,760, -3.6% CAGR), and physicists (-1,140, -1.6% CAGR). Two S&E management occupations grew: computer and information systems managers (42,770, 3.3% CAGR) and natural sciences managers (6,220, 3.1% CAGR). The number of architectural and engineering managers declined (-9,250, -1.3% CAGR). Table 4. Employment in Detailed S&E Occupations, 2012-2016
|
Employ-ment,2012
Employ-ment,2016
Occupational Group |
Employ-ment Change, Number |
Employ-ment Change, CAGR |
||||||||||
Science and Engineering Managers |
|||||||||||||||
Computer and Information Systems Managers |
276,820 |
309,740 |
32,920 |
|
|||||||||||
Architectural and Engineering Managers |
182,300 |
187,640 |
5,340 |
|
|||||||||||
Natural Sciences Managers |
43,060 |
48,560 |
5,500 |
3.1% |
|||||||||||
Computer Occupations |
|||||||||||||||
Computer and Information Research Scientists |
26,610 |
24,880 |
-1,730 |
|
|||||||||||
Computer Systems Analysts |
489,890 |
482,040 |
-7,850 |
|
|||||||||||
Computer Programmers |
394,230 |
316,790 |
-77,440 |
|
|||||||||||
Software Developers, Applications |
494,160 |
586,340 |
92,180 |
|
|||||||||||
Software Developers, |
381,830 |
391,700 |
9,870 |
|
|||||||||||
Database Administrators |
115,770 |
111,590 |
-4,180 |
|
|||||||||||
Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
327,850 |
350,320 |
22,470 |
|
|||||||||||
|
545,520
|
113,730
|
2,140
|
0.5%
|
Network and Computer Systems Administrators 350,320 | ||||||||||
Computer User Support Specialists |
525,630 |
26,500 1.8% |
|||||||||||||
Computer Network Support Specialists |
167,980 |
||||||||||||||
|
137,890 157,070 |
230,410
|
3.3%
|
Computer User Support Specialists
|
525,630
|
602,840
|
77,210
|
3.5%
|
Computer Network Support Specialists
|
167,980
|
188,740
|
20,760 3.0% | |||
Information Security Analysts |
72,670 |
||||||||||||||
Web Developers |
102,940 |
||||||||||||||
Computer Network Architects |
137,890 |
||||||||||||||
Computer Occupations, All Other |
191,780 |
185,730 |
-6,050 |
|
|||||||||||
Mathematical Occupations |
|||||||||||||||
Actuaries |
18,220 |
21,340 |
3,120 |
|
|||||||||||
Mathematicians |
2,770 |
3,250 |
480 |
-4.3 |
|||||||||||
Operations Research Analysts |
60,860 |
69,180 |
8,320 |
|
|||||||||||
Statisticians |
20,680 |
25,570 |
4,890 |
|
|||||||||||
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other |
6,600 |
1,220 |
-5,380 |
|
|||||||||||
Engineers |
|||||||||||||||
Aerospace Engineers |
67,800 |
80,420 |
12,620 |
|
|||||||||||
Agricultural Engineers |
2, |
2,470 |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
Biomedical Engineers |
15,220 |
18,810 |
3,590 |
|
|||||||||||
Chemical Engineers |
30,970 |
32,190 |
1,220 |
|
|||||||||||
Civil Engineers |
261,360 |
258,100 |
-3,260 |
|
|||||||||||
Computer Hardware Engineers |
73,370 |
79,580 |
-6,630 |
-2.2 |
|||||||||||
Electrical Engineers |
154,670 |
160,560 |
5,890 |
|
|||||||||||
Electronics Engineers, except Computer |
139,930 |
134,960 |
- |
-0. |
|||||||||||
Environmental Engineers |
52,590 |
50,850 |
-1,740 |
|
|||||||||||
Health and Safety Engineers, except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors |
25,190 |
23,490 |
-1,700 |
|
|||||||||||
Industrial Engineers |
214,580 |
220,130 |
5,550 |
|
|||||||||||
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects |
6, |
6,880 |
400 |
|
|||||||||||
Materials Engineers |
24,160 |
22,740 |
-1,420 |
|
|||||||||||
Mechanical Engineers |
233,610 |
252,540 |
18,930 |
|
|||||||||||
Mining and Geological |
6,900 |
7,640 |
740 |
-2.4 |
|||||||||||
Nuclear Engineers |
16,640 |
19,930 |
3,290 |
|
|||||||||||
Petroleum Engineers |
20,880 |
36,410 |
15,530 |
|
|||||||||||
Engineers, All Other |
169,240 |
122,410 |
-46,830 |
|
|||||||||||
Life Scientists |
|||||||||||||||
Animal Scientists |
2, |
2, |
-640 |
|
|||||||||||
Food Scientists and Technologists |
10,510 |
13,680 |
3,170 |
|
|||||||||||
Soil and Plant Scientists |
10,790 |
12,410 |
1,620 |
|
|||||||||||
Biochemists and Biophysicists |
22,230 |
26,410 |
4,180 |
|
|||||||||||
Microbiologists |
15,750 |
18,550 |
2,800 |
4. |
|||||||||||
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists |
17,780 |
18,650 |
870 |
-1.3 |
|||||||||||
Biological Scientists, All Other |
28,290 |
31,080 |
2,790 |
|
|||||||||||
Conservation Scientists |
15,830 |
18,460 |
2, |
|
|||||||||||
Foresters |
10,160 |
9,470 |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
Epidemiologists |
4, |
4,850 |
480 |
|
|||||||||||
Medical Scientists, except Epidemiologists |
99,750 |
95,420 |
-4,330 |
|
|||||||||||
Life Scientists, All Other |
12,030 |
8,940 |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
Physical Scientists |
|||||||||||||||
Astronomers |
1,280 |
2,150 |
870 |
|
|||||||||||
Physicists |
14,810 |
17,820 |
3,010 |
|
|||||||||||
Atmospheric and Space Scientists |
8,860 |
10,190 |
1,330 |
|
|||||||||||
Chemists |
83,080 |
84,950 |
1, |
0. |
|||||||||||
Materials Scientists |
9,650 |
7, |
- |
- |
|||||||||||
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, |
80,120 |
84, |
4,120 |
|
|||||||||||
Geoscientists, |
31,260 |
35,180 |
3,920 |
-3.6 |
|||||||||||
Hydrologists |
7,590 |
6, |
- |
-2. |
|||||||||||
Physical Scientists, All Other |
22,900 |
25,230 |
2,330 |
|
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, 2008-20122012-2016, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm.
a. See footnote 23.
b. See footnote 24.
Table 5 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the largest employment growth from 2008 to 20122012 to 2016. The list includes six engineeringfive computer occupations, three computerengineering occupations, and one mathematics occupation, and one S&E management occupation.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Employment Growth |
1 |
Software Developers, Applications |
92,180 |
2 |
|
22,470 |
3 |
Mechanical Engineers |
18,930 |
4 |
Petroleum Engineers |
15,530 |
5 |
Aerospace Engineers |
12,620 |
6 |
Software Developers, Systems Software |
9,870 |
7 |
Operations Research Analysts |
8,320 |
8 |
|
6,210 |
9 |
|
5,890 |
10 |
Industrial Engineers |
5,550 |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, 2008-20122012-2016, BLS, U.S. Department of Labor.
Table 6 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the largest employment losses. The occupation with the greatest employment loss is computer programmers. As mentioned earlier, some have speculated that some of the losses in computer programmers may be due to reclassification of these positions as other computer occupations (e.g., software developers).
The list includes five engineering occupations, two physical sciences occupations, one computer occupation, one mathematics occupation, and one S&E management occupation.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Employment Growth |
1 |
Computer Programmers |
- |
2 |
Engineers, All Other |
- |
3 |
Computer Systems Analysts |
- |
4 |
Computer |
-6, |
5 |
|
- |
6 |
Electronics Engineers, except Computer |
-4, |
7 |
Medical Scientists, except Epidemiologists |
- |
8 |
Database Administrators |
- |
9 |
|
- |
10 |
Life Scientists, All Other |
- |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, 2008-20122012-2016, BLS, U.S. Department of Labor.
Table 7 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the fastest growth rates. The occupation with the fastest growth rate was petroleum engineers (14.9mathematical science occupations, all other (13.2% CAGR), adding 15,5301,220 jobs from 2008 to 2012, followed by astronomers (13.8% CAGR), and food scientists and technologists (6.8% CAGR)2012 to 2016, followed by operations research analysts (12.1% CAGR), and computer occupations, all other (8.9% CAGR). The list includes five computer occupations, three mathematics occupations, one engineering occupation, and one life sciences occupation.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Employment Growth rate |
1 |
Petroleum Engineers |
|
2 |
Astronomers |
|
3 |
Food Scientists and Technologists |
|
4 |
Statisticians |
|
5 |
Biomedical Engineers |
|
6 |
Physicists |
|
7 |
Nuclear Engineers |
|
8 |
Biochemists and Biophysicists |
4. |
9 |
Software Developers, Applications |
4. |
10 |
|
4. |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, 2008-20122012-2016, BLS, U.S. Department of Labor.
Table 8 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the slowest growth rates. All 10 of these occupations have negative growth rates. This grouplist includes at least one occupation from each of the engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, mathematics, and computer occupational groups.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Employment Growth Rate |
1 |
|
- |
2 |
Engineers, All Other |
- |
3 |
Life Scientists, All Other |
- |
4 |
Animal Scientists |
- |
5 |
Computer Programmers |
- |
6 |
Materials Scientists |
- |
7 |
Hydrologists |
- |
8 |
Foresters |
- |
9 |
Health and Safety Engineers, except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors |
- |
10 |
Computer and Information Research Scientists |
- |
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, 2008-20122012-2016, BLS, Department of Labor.
Between 20082012 and 20122016, mean wages for each S&E occupational group grew at about the same pace as the overall mean wage for all occupations, and only somewhat faster than inflation. Figure 54 illustrates the nominal and inflation-adjusted compound annual growth rates for each S&E occupational group, as well as for all occupations. The nominal growth rate of mean wages for all occupations during this period was 2.0% CAGR, while the fastest growth rate in the S&E occupational groups was for physical scientists (2.23S&E managers (2.5% CAGR), followed by S&E managers (2.20% CAGR), and mathematical occupations (2.16% CAGR), engineers (2.12% CAGR), computer occupations (1.84% CAGR), and life scientists (1.4% CAGR). Adjusting for inflation, life scientists experienced a small decline (-0.2% CAGR) in mean wages between 2008 and 2012, while the other S&E occupational categories grew by less than 1%.
|
Source: CRS analysis of Occupational Employment Statistics survey data, |
Table 9 provides unemployment rates for the S&E occupational groups, as well as all for all workers (16 years and over) and selected professional and related occupations for the years 2008-20122012-2016. This table provides a perspective on how the unemployment rates of S&E occupational groups compare to the overall unemployment rate and other selected professional and related occupations, as well as how these rates changed during this period.
Professional occupations (of which the S&E occupations are a part) historically have had lower unemployment rates than the overall workforce. As shown in Table 9, S&E occupational groups had significantly lower unemployment rates than those of the overall workforce for the 2008-20122012-2016 period. Nevertheless, during this period the S&E occupational groups generally had unemployment rates that were comparable or higher than the rates for many other selected professional occupations (e.g., lawyers, dentists, physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, accountants and auditors).
In 2008, the unemployment rates for each S&E occupational group and each selected professional occupation were below 3%. However, from 2008 to 2011, the unemployment rates for the S&E occupational groups grew faster than did the other selected professional occupations. Consequently, the separation between the unemployment rates of the S&E occupational groups and the other selected professional occupations grew during this period (see Table 9). In 2011, the unemployment rates for each of the selected professional occupations remained around or below 2% while the unemployment rates for each of the S&E occupational groups were above 3%. In 2012, the unemployment rate for all of the S&E occupational groups fell, some dropping below 3%.
Table 9. Unemployment Rates for S&E Occupational Groups, the Overall Workforce, and Other Selected Professional and Related Occupations, 2008-2012
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
Total, 16 years and over
|
8.1%
|
7.4%
|
6.2%
|
5.3% 4.9% |
|
S&E Occupations |
||||||||||||||
Computer Occupations |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Mathematical Occupations |
|
|
1. |
|
|
|||||||||
Engineers |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Life Scientists |
|
3.9% |
2.4% |
3.0%
2.4%d |
2. |
|||||||||
|
2. |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Selected Non-S&E Occupations |
||||||||||||||
Lawyers |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
1.5% |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Accountants and auditors |
|
|
|
|
|
Source: CRS analysis of unpublished data for 2012-2016 from the Current Population Survey, BLS.
a. According to CPS, unemployment data for atmospheric and space scientists are not available. For this table, this category includes all other physical sciences occupations.
b. According to CPS, unemployment data for natural science managers are not available. For this table, this category includes computer and information systems managers and architectural and engineering managers.
c. According to CPS, unemployment data for actuaries, mathematicians, and miscellaneous mathematical science occupations are not available. For this table, this category includes only operations research analysts and statisticians; data for statisticians was not available for 2012.
d. According to CPS, unemployment data for agricultural engineers, biomedical engineers, marine engineers and naval architects, mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers are not available; unemployment data for materials engineers was unavailable for 2014 only. For this table, this category includes all other engineering occupations.
e. According to CPS, unemployment data for life scientists, all other are not available. For this table, this category includes all other life sciences occupations. from the Current Population Survey, BLS.
This section provides an analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment projections for the 2012-2022 period.
AnCRS analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections indicates that the science and engineering workforce will grow by 953,200 (14.3%) jobs between 2012 and 2022, a CAGR of 1.3%. This growth rate is somewhat is expected to grow from 6.9 million to 7.6 million jobs between 2014 and 2024, an increase of 694,400 (10.1%) jobs over the 10-year period (1.0% CAGR). This growth rate is higher than the growth rate projected for all occupations (1.00.6%) during this period.25
In addition to the job openings created by growth in the number of jobs in S&E occupations, BLS projects that an additional 1.3 million scientists and engineers will be needed to replace those who are expected to exit the S&E occupations during this period due to retirement, death, career change, etc. (i.e., net replacements). BLS projects a total of 2.30 million job openings in S&E occupations due to growth and net replacements during this period.
Employment projections for science and engineering occupational groups are provided in Table 10, which includes. This table provides the following information for each group: 20122014 actual employment, 20222024 projected employment, the change in the number of jobs between 20122014 and 20222024, the total percentage increase in the number of jobs, the compound annual growth rate in the number of jobs, and the total job openings due to growth and net replacements.
Among the S&E occupational groups, computer occupations are projected to see the largest increase in the number employed (651,500488,400) and the largest number of job openings (1,240,100083,800). Computer occupations, which accounted for 55.256.8% of all S&E jobs in 20122014, are projected to account for 6870.3% of the total growth in S&E occupations between 20122014 and 20222024. (See Figure 65.) As a result, the share of all S&E jobs accounted for by computer occupations is projected to rise from 55.2% in 2012 to 56.9% in 2022to 58.0% in 2024.
Mathematical occupations are projected to have the fastest employment growth (2.45% CAGR), increasing their projected share of total S&E employment slightly from 2.2% in 2014 to 2.6% in 2024.
S&E managers to 2.2% in 2022.
The occupational groups that are projected to account for a smaller share8.5% of total S&E job growth than their share of total 2012 S&E employment are:
Table 10. 2012-2022 Employment Projections for S&E Occupational Groups
The occupational groups that are projected to account for a smaller share of total S&E job growth than their share of total 2014 S&E employment are as follows:
Numbers in thousands, except percent and CAGR
Occupations |
Employment |
Change, |
Job Openings Due to Growth and Net Replacements |
|||||
2012 |
2022 |
Number |
% |
CAGR |
||||
Computer Occupations |
3, |
4, |
651.5 |
|
1. |
1,240.1
|
||
Mathematical Occupations |
130.5 |
164.7 |
34.2 |
|
2. |
67.7
|
||
Engineers |
1, |
1, |
136.8 |
|
0. |
544.3
|
||
Life Scientists |
294.3 |
322.0 |
27.7 |
|
0. |
104.7
|
||
Physical Scientists |
393.6 |
429.7 |
36.1 |
|
0. |
140.9
|
||
S&E Managers |
578.1 |
645.0 |
66.9 |
|
1. |
171.4
|
||
S&E Occupations, Total |
6, |
7, |
953.2 |
|
1. |
2,269.1
|
||
Selected Other Professional and Related Occupations |
|
|||||||
Lawyers |
759.8 |
834.7 |
|
|
0. |
196.5
|
||
Dentists |
146.8 |
|
23.3 |
|
1. |
59.1
|
||
Physicians and Surgeons |
691.4 |
814.7 |
|
|
1. |
296.4
|
||
Registered Nurses |
2, |
3, |
526.8 |
|
1. |
1,052.6
|
||
Accountants and auditors |
1, |
1, |
166.7 |
|
1. |
544.2 | ||
|
||||||||
Total, All Occupations |
145,355.8 |
160, |
15,628.0 |
|
|
50,557.3
|
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
Notes: Numbers for S&E occupational groups may not add due to rounding of component occupations.
Across all occupations (not just S&E occupations) the number needed to replace those exiting the workforce (34.9 million) is expected to be more36.7 million) is expected to be more than three times the number of new jobs created (9.8 million). For S&E occupations, the number needed to replace those exiting the workforce (1.3 million) is expected to be less than twice the number of new jobs created (15.60.7 million). ForAnd for certain S&E occupational groups, in contrast, the number of openings resulting from growth in the number employed is expected to exceed the number of openings resulting from those exiting the occupations (net replacements). For example, BLS projects an increase of 651,50042,900 jobs in the computermathematical occupations between 20122014 and 20222024. During the same period, BLS projects that there will be 588,60029,800 job openings in computermathematical occupations due to net replacement needs. Similarly, for the mathematics occupations, the increase in jobs (34,200) exceeds the number needed to replace those exiting the field (33,500). For certain other S&E occupational groups, however, net replacement needs greatly exceed the number of projected new jobs in the occupation as for the workforce as a whole. For engineering occupations, BLS projects that 75more than 87% of job openings in the 2012 to 20222014 to 2024 period will result from the need to replace those exiting the occupations (407,500445,800 job openings due to net replacement needs and 136,80064,900 due to increases in the number of engineering jobs). Figure 6 illustrates the composition of projected job openings by job growth and net replacements for each S&E occupational group for the 2014-2024 period. Figure 7 illustrates the share7 illustrates the composition of total projected S&E job openings (due to growth and net replacements) by S&E occupational group for the 2014-2024 period.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' projected job growth and projected total job openings (job growth plus net replacements) for the S&E occupations vary substantially during the 2012-20222014-2024 projection period. Table 11-Table 16 show the top 10 S&E occupations in terms of job growth, job losses, and job openings.
Table 11 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the highest projected growth in jobs. Eight of the ten S&E occupations on this list are in the computer occupations. One of the remaining two occupations is computer and information systems managers. The only non-IT occupation in the top 10 is civil engineers.
Table 11. S&E Occupations with the Highest Projected Growth in Jobs andJob Growth, Other Selected Occupations, 2012-2022
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Projected Average Annual Job Growtha |
|
1 |
Software developers, applications |
13,530 |
|
2 |
Computer systems analysts |
12,770 |
|
3 |
Computer user support specialists |
11,080 |
|
4 |
Software developers, systems software |
|
|
5 |
Civil engineers |
5,130 |
|
6 |
Computer and information systems managers |
|
|
7 |
Network and computer systems administrators |
|
|
8 |
Web developers |
2,760 |
|
9 |
Computer programmers |
2,360 |
|
10 |
Information security analysts |
|
|
Non S&E Selected Occupations with Highest Projected Growth |
|||
1 |
Personal |
58,080
|
|
2 |
Registered |
52,680
|
|
3 |
Retail Salespersons |
43,470
|
|
4 |
Home Health Aides | 42,420
|
|
5 |
Combined food preparation/serving workers, incl. fast food | 42,190
|
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
a. The numbers in this column are derived by dividing the net job creation during the 2012-20222014-2024 projection period for each occupation by 10 to get the average annual number of net new jobs created.
Table 12 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the smallest projected growth in jobs. The list includes occupations from computer, physical and life sciences, mathematics, and engineering occupations. The number of new jobs projected to be created in these 10 occupations total less than 300 per year.
Table 12. S&E Occupations with the Smallest Projected Growth in Jobs, 2012-2022
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Projected Average Annual Job Growtha |
|||||||
1 |
Biological scientists, all other |
-20 |
|||||||
2 |
Conservation scientists |
10
|
2
|
Electronics engineers, except computer
|
|||||
3 |
|
10
|
|||||||
4 |
Animal scientists |
20
|
|||||||
5 |
Materials engineers |
20 |
|||||||
6 |
Astronomers |
30 |
|||||||
7 |
Mathematical science occupations, all other |
30
|
6
|
Mathematical science occupations, all other
|
7
|
Agricultural engineers
|
|||
8 |
Materials scientists |
40
|
|||||||
9 |
Epidemiologists |
50
|
|||||||
10 |
Foresters |
70
|
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
a. The numbers in this column are derived by dividing the net job creation during the 2012-20222014-2024 projection period for each occupation by 10 to get the average annual number of net new jobs created.
Table 13 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the fastest projected job growth rates. Information security analysts (3.2%) and biomedical engineers (2.4Statisticians (2.9%) and operations research analysts (2.7% CAGR) are the fastest -growing S&E occupations. The remaining occupations on the list range from 1.94% to 2.4% CAGR, faster than the overall projected job growth rate for all occupations (1.00.6% CAGR). The list includes four computer occupations, four mathematical occupations, and two engineering occupationsone engineering occupation, and one management occupation.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Projected Job Growth Rate (CAGR) |
Projected Average Annual Job Growtha |
|||
1 |
Information security analysts |
3.2% | 2,740
|
|||
2 |
Biomedical engineers |
2.4% | 520
|
|||
3 |
Operation research analysts |
2.4% | 1,950
|
|||
4 |
Statisticians |
2.4% | 740
|
|||
5 |
Actuaries |
2.3% | 630
|
|||
6 |
Petroleum engineers |
2.3% | 980
|
|||
7 |
Computer systems analysts |
2.2% | 12,770
|
|||
8 |
Mathematicians |
2.1% | 80
|
|||
9 |
Software developers, applications |
2.1% | 13,990
|
|||
10 |
Software developers, systems software |
1.9% | 8,280
|
|||
Non S&E Occupations with Fastest Projected Growth |
|
|||||
1 |
Industrial-organizational psychologists |
4.6% |
90 |
|||
Personal care aides |
4.1% |
58,080 |
||||
Home health aides |
4.0% |
42,420 |
||||
Insulation workers, mechanical |
3.9% |
1,350 |
||||
Interpreters and translators |
3.9% |
2,930 |
||||
All Occupations |
1.0% |
1,562,800 |
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-2022, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
2 Occupational therapy assistants
3 Physical therapist assistants
4 Physical therapist aides
5 Home health aides
All Occupations
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.a. The numbers in this column are derived by dividing the net job creation during the 2012-2022Wind turbine service technicians
7 .7%
480
3 .6%
1,410
3 .5%
3,190
3 .3%
1,950
3 .3%
34,840
0 .6%
978,890
Table 14 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the slowest projected job growth rates, ranging from -0.18% to 0.41% CAGR, well below the overall projected job growth rate of 1.00.6% CAGR. The list includes sevensix engineering occupations, two physical sciences occupations, one biological sciences occupationsoccupation, and one computer occupation.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Projected Job Growth Rate (CAGR) |
Projected Average Annual Job Growtha |
||||||||
1 |
Biological scientists, all other |
-0.1% |
-20
|
||||||||
2 |
|
0.1% | 20
|
||||||||
3 |
Conservation scientists
|
4
|
Electronics engineers, except computer
|
0.1% |
10 |
||||||
4 |
Electronics engineers, except computer |
0.3% |
480 |
||||||||
5 |
Computer occupations, all others
|
6
|
Astronomers
|
0.4% |
780 |
||||||
6 |
Engineers, all others |
0.4% |
510 |
||||||||
7 |
|
0.4% | 10
|
||||||||
8 |
|
0.4% |
1,160 |
||||||||
9 |
Chemical engineers |
0.4% |
150
|
9
|
Physical scientists, all other
|
||||||
10 |
|
0.4% | 1,010
|
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
a. The numbers in this column are derived by dividing the net job creation during the 2012-20222014-2024 projection period for each occupation by 10 to get the average annual number of net new jobs created.
Table 15 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the most projected job openings (jobs growth plus net replacements). This category shows where the most job opportunities are projected to be. Six of the ten occupations are computer occupations and another is computer and information systems managers. The other three occupations on the list are engineering occupations—civil, mechanical, and industrial engineeringengineers.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Projected Average Annual Job Openingsa |
|
1 |
Software developers, applications |
21,850
|
|
2 |
Computer systems analysts |
20,960
|
|
3 |
Computer user support specialists |
19,690
|
|
4 |
Software developers, systems software |
13,470
|
|
5 |
Civil engineers |
12,010
|
|
6 |
Computer programmers |
11,810
|
|
7 |
Network and computer systems administrators |
10,050
|
|
8 |
Mechanical engineers |
9,970
|
|
9 |
Computer and information systems managers |
9,710
|
|
10 |
Industrial engineers |
7,540
|
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
a. The numbers in this column are derived by dividing the net job creation during the 2012-20222014-2024 projection period for each occupation by 10 to get the average annual number of net new jobs created.
Table 16 shows the 10 S&E occupations with the fewest projected job openings. This list includes occupations from the life sciences, engineering, physical sciences, and mathematical fieldsengineering, and mathematics.
Rank |
S&E Occupation |
Projected Average Annual Job Openingsa |
|||||||
1 |
Mathematical science occupations, all other |
70 |
|||||||
2 |
Agricultural engineers |
80
|
2
|
Mathematical science occupations, all other
|
|||||
3 |
Astronomers |
90
|
|||||||
4 |
Animal scientists |
120
|
|||||||
5 |
Epidemiologists |
160
|
|||||||
6 |
Mathematicians |
170
|
|||||||
7 |
Materials scientists |
260
|
|||||||
8 |
Marine engineers and naval architects |
260 |
|||||||
9 |
Hydrologists |
290 |
|||||||
10 |
Mining and geological engineers, incl. mining safety engineers |
300
|
9
|
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers
|
10
|
Marine engineers and naval architects
|
Source: CRS analysis of Employment Projections, 2012-20222014-2024, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
a. The numbers in this column are derived by dividing the net job creation during the 2012-20222014-2024 projection period for each occupation by 10 to get the average annual number of net new jobs created.
Scientists and engineers are widely believed to be essential to U.S. technological leadership, innovation, manufacturing, and services, and thus vital to U.S. economic strength, national defense, and other societal needs (e.g., treating and preventing diseases, ensuring access to affordable energy, protecting and restoring the environment). The adequacy of the U.S. science and engineering workforce has been an ongoing concern of Congress for more than 60 years. Congress has enacted many programs to support the education and development of scientists and engineers. Congress has also undertaken broad efforts improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to prepare a greater number of students to pursue science and engineering (S&E) degrees. Some policy makerspolicymakers have sought to increase the number of foreign scientists and engineers working in the United States through changes in visa and immigration policies.
While there is a broad consensus on the important role of scientists and engineers to the United States, policy makerspolicymakers, business leaders, academicians, S&E professional society analysts, economists, and others hold diverse views with respect to the adequacy of the S&E workforce and related policy issues. In particular, there are varying perspectives about whether a shortage of scientists and engineers exists in the United States, what the nature of such a shortage might be (e.g., too few people with S&E degrees, a mismatch of worker skills and employer needs), and whether the federal government should undertake policy interventions to address a putative shortage or allow market forces to work in this labor market.
Here are some general ways in which their views may be expressed:
These disparate perspectives contribute to a variety of opinions on the roles the federal government should play in fostering the development of the S&E workforce, including the merits of federal policies focused on:
As Congress considers approaches to bolstering U.S. competitiveness and scientific, engineering, technological, and industrial leadership, it may wish to consider these perspectives and opinions.
Occupation |
Description |
Entry-level Education |
Computer Occupations |
||
Computer and Information Research Scientists |
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software. |
Doctoral or professional degree |
Computer Programmers |
Create, modify, and test the code, forms, and script that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software developers or other individuals. May assist software developers by analyzing user needs and designing software solutions. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information. |
Bachelor's degree |
Computer User Support Specialists |
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, or via telephone or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. |
Some college, no degree |
Computer Network Support Specialists |
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption. |
Associate's degree |
Computer Systems Analysts |
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software. |
Bachelor's degree |
Database Administrators |
Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases. |
Bachelor's degree |
Information Security Analysts |
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses. |
Bachelor's degree |
Web Developers |
Design, create, and modify websites. Analyze user needs to implement website content, graphics, performance, and capacity. May integrate Web sites with other computer applications. May convert written, graphic, audio, and video components to compatible Web formats by using software designed to facilitate the creation of Web and multimedia content. |
Associate's degree |
Computer Network Architects |
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software. |
Bachelor's degree |
Network and Computer Systems Administrators |
Install, configure, and support an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system. Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and may perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. May monitor and test website performance to ensure Web sites operate correctly and without interruption. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. May supervise computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists. May administer network security measures. |
Bachelor's degree |
Software Developers, Applications |
Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers. |
Bachelor's degree |
Software Developers, Systems Software |
Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. May design embedded systems software. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. |
Bachelor's degree |
Computer Occupations, All Other |
All computer occupations not listed separately. Excludes Computer and Information Systems Managers; Computer Hardware Engineers; Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary; Multimedia Artists and Animators; Graphic Designers; Computer Operators; and Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairs. |
Bachelor's degree |
Mathematical Occupations |
||
Actuaries |
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits. |
Bachelor's degree |
Mathematicians |
Conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods. |
Master's degree |
Operations Research Analysts |
Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decision making, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, service, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation. |
Bachelor's degree |
Statisticians |
Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as bio-statistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians. |
Master's degree |
Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other |
All mathematical scientists not listed separately. |
Bachelor's degree |
Engineers |
||
Aerospace Engineers |
Perform engineering duties in designing, constructing, and testing aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft. May conduct basic and applied research to evaluate adaptability of materials and equipment to aircraft design and manufacture. May recommend improvements in testing equipment and techniques. |
Bachelor's degree |
Agricultural Engineers |
Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products. |
Bachelor's degree |
Biomedical Engineers |
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems. |
Bachelor's degree |
Chemical Engineers |
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering. |
Bachelor's degree |
Civil Engineers |
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers. |
Bachelor's degree |
Computer Hardware Engineers |
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components. |
Bachelor's degree |
Electrical Engineers |
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. |
Bachelor's degree |
Electronics Engineers, Except Computers |
Research, design, develop, or test electronic components and systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use employing knowledge of electronic theory and materials properties. Design electronic circuits and components for use in fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls. |
Bachelor's degree |
Environmental Engineers |
Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology. |
Bachelor's degree |
Health and Safety Engineers, except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors |
Promote worksite or product safety by applying knowledge of industrial processes, mechanics, chemistry, psychology, and industrial health and safety laws. Includes industrial product safety engineers. |
Bachelor's degree |
Industrial Engineers |
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination. |
Bachelor's degree |
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects |
Design, develop, and evaluate the operation of marine vessels, ship machinery, and related equipment, such as power supply and propulsion systems. |
Bachelor's degree |
Materials Engineers |
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers. |
Bachelor's degree |
Mechanical Engineers |
Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems. |
Bachelor's degree |
Mining and Geological Engineers |
Conduct sub-surface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs. |
Bachelor's degree |
Nuclear Engineers |
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal. |
Bachelor's degree |
Petroleum Engineers |
Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice. |
Bachelor's degree |
Engineers, All Other |
All engineers not listed separately. |
Bachelor's degree |
Life Scientists |
||
Animal Scientists |
Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals. |
Doctoral or professional degree |
Food Scientists and Technologists |
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food. |
Bachelor's degree |
Soil and Plant Scientists |
Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity. |
Bachelor's degree |
Biochemists and Biophysicists |
Study the chemical composition or physical principles of living cells and organisms, their electrical and mechanical energy, and related phenomena. May conduct research to further understanding of the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity. May determine the effects of foods, drugs, serums, hormones, and other substances on tissues and vital processes of living organisms. |
Doctoral or professional degree |
Microbiologists |
Investigate the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi. Includes medical microbiologists who study the relationship between organisms and disease or the effects of antibiotics on microorganisms. |
Bachelor's degree |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists |
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats. |
Bachelor's degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other |
All biological scientists not listed separately. |
Bachelor's degree |
Conservation Scientists |
Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering. |
Bachelor's degree |
Foresters |
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules. |
Bachelor's degree |
Epidemiologists |
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control. |
Master's degree |
Medical Scientists, except Epidemiologists |
Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities. Includes physicians, dentists, public health specialists, pharmacologists, and medical pathologists who primarily conduct research. |
Doctoral or professional degree |
Life Scientists, All Other |
All life scientists not listed separately. |
Bachelor's degree |
Physical Scientists |
||
Astronomers |
Observe, research, and interpret astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge or apply such information to practical problems. |
Doctoral or professional degree |
Physicists |
Conduct research into physical phenomena, develop theories on the basis of observation and experiments, and devise methods to apply physical laws and theories. |
Doctoral or professional degree |
Atmospheric and Space Scientists |
Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses. Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology. |
Bachelor's degree |
Chemists |
Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. |
Bachelor's degree |
Materials Scientists |
Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists. |
Bachelor's degree |
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, including Health |
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources. |
Bachelor's degree |
Geoscientists, except Hydrologists and Geographers |
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists. |
Bachelor's degree |
Hydrologists |
Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere. |
Master's degree |
Physical Scientists, All Other |
All physical scientists not listed separately. |
Bachelor's degree |
S&E Managers |
||
Architectural and Engineering Managers |
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields. |
Bachelor's degree |
Computer and Information Systems Managers |
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming. |
Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers |
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields. |
Bachelor's degree |
Source: Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm; Employment Projections, BLS, U.S. Department of Labor, http://data.bls.gov/projections/occupationProj.
1. |
For additional information about P.L. 110-69 and P.L. 111-358, see CRS Report R42430, America COMPETES 2010 and the FY2013 Budget, by [author name scrubbed]. |
Author Contact Information [author name scrubbed], Specialist in Science and Technology Policy
([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
Footnotes1. |
For additional information, see CRS Report R42530, Immigration of Foreign Nationals with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Degrees |
See, for example, Carolyn M. Veneri, "Can Occupational Labor Shortages Be Identified Using Available Data?," Monthly Labor Review, March 1999, p. 18. |
|
For purposes of the BLS analysis, the authors defined the STEM occupation group as consisting of 97 occupations, including computer and math sciences, architecture and engineering, life and physical sciences, managerial and post-secondary teaching occupations associated with these functional areas, and two sales occupations that require scientific or technical education at the postsecondary level—sales engineers and wholesale and engineering manufacturing sales representatives of technical and scientific products. Ben Cover, John Jones, and Audrey Watson, "Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Occupations: A Visual Essay," Monthly Labor Review, May 2011, p. 3. |
|
National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators |
|
|
|
The Standard Occupational Classification system is a federal system that defines over 840 detailed occupations, and groups them into 461 broad occupations, 97 minor groups, and 23 major groups. Detailed occupations in the SOC with similar job duties, and in some cases skills, education, and/or training, are grouped together. The system is used by federal statistical agencies for the purpose of collecting, calculating, and disseminating data. First established in 1977, the SOC system has been revised periodically; the latest revision is the 2010 SOC. |
|
Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) employment figures for the occupation group "architectural and engineering managers" are reported as a single number, thus the architectural managers are included in this group, though data on architect and other architectural-related occupations are not otherwise included in this report. |
|
Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes. |
|
Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/cps. |
|
Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/emp. |
|
The Current Employment Statistics survey provides industry employment data used by BLS in making its biennial 10-year projections. The CES survey does not collect occupational information. |
|
Telephone conversation with Michael Wolf, economist, Division of Occupational Outlook, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, March 4, 2013. |
|
BLS website, Occupational Employment Statistics, Frequently Asked Questions, http://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm. |
|
BLS website, Employment Projections, Projections Methodology, http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_projections_methods.htm. |
|
For links to past evaluations of BLS projections, see http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_pub_projections_eval.htm. For the latest evaluation, see " | |
17. |
Science and engineering occupations are part of the larger category of "Professional and Related Occupations" used in the Current Population Survey. |
18. |
Mathematical occupations was the only S&E occupational group with a higher unemployment rate (5.3%) than the professional and related occupations group (4.3%). |
The occupational classification system used in the Current Population Survey is based on the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification System but differs somewhat from those used | |
20. |
|
A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is a calculated growth rate which, if applied year after year to a beginning amount reaches a specified final amount. |
|
22. |
Several changes were made in the occupational classifications used in the Occupational Employment Statistics survey over the 2008-2012 period in the computer occupations. For the most part, these changes involved minor changes in titles and definitions, and the splitting of some occupations into two or more occupations. According to BLS, these changes could have both direct and indirect effects on the way that employers classify particular jobs. For a more detailed explanation of these effects, please contact the author of this report. |
23. |
The definitions for computer user support specialists and computer network support specialists are broadly comparable to the previously used occupational classification "computer support specialists." |
24. |
The definitions for information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects are broadly comparable to the previously used occupational classification "information security analysts, web developers, and computer network architects." |
CRS analysis of BLS |
|
See, for example, National Research Council, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, 2007, http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11463; U.S. Department of Energy, Secretary Chu, Intel President Discuss Need for More U.S. Engineers, September 1, 2011, http://energy.gov/articles/secretary-chu-intel-president-discuss-need-more-us-engineers; Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, The Quite Crisis: Falling Short in Producing American Scientific and Technical Talent, Building Engineering and Science Talent (BEST), 2002; and Vinton G. Cerf, "How to Fire Up U.S. Innovation," Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2011, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704461304576216911954533514.html; and Rodney C. Atkins, Senior Vice President, Systems and Technology Group, IBM, "America Desperately Needs More STEM Students. Here's How to Get Them," Forbes, July 9, 2012, http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2012/07/09/america-desperately-needs-more-stem-students-heres-how-to-get-them. |
|
See, for example, testimony of Ralph Gomory, President, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, before the U.S. Congress, House Committee on Science and Technology, The Globalization of R&D and Innovation, Part I, 110th Cong., June 12, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008); testimony of Michael Teitelbaum, Vice President, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Harold Salzman, Senior Research Associate, The Urban Institute, before the U.S. Congress, House Committee on Science and Technology, The Globalization of R&D and Innovation, Part IV, 110th Cong., November 6, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008); Robert J. Samuelson, "Sputnik Scare, Updated" Washington Post, August 26, 2005, p. A27, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/25/AR2005052501812.html; and Michael Teitelbaum, "The U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce: An Unconventional Portrait," Pan-Organizational Summit on the U.S. Science and Engineering Workforce, Government-Industry-University Research Roundtable, National Research Council, 2003, pp. 1-7, http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10727. |
|
See, for example, U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, Chairman's Staff, STEM Education: Preparing for the Jobs of the Future, April 2012, http://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=6aaa7e1f-9586-47be-82e7-326f47658320. |
|
See, for example, Vern Ehlers, before the U.S. Congress, House Committee on Science and Technology, The Globalization of R&D and Innovation, Part IV, 110th Cong., November 6, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2008). |
|
See, for example, Leonard Lynn, Case Western Reserve University, and Hal Salzman, Rutgers University, "Dynamics of Engineering Labor Markets: Petroleum Engineering and Responsive Supply," presentation at "U.S. Engineering in the Global Economy," sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Cambridge, MA, September 26, 2011, |
|
See, for example, Office of Technology Assessment, Demographic Trends and the Scientific and Engineering Workforce, OTA-TM-SET-35, December 1985, http://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk2/1985/8507/8507.PDF. |
|
See, for example, Richard B. Freeman, Is a Great Labor Shortage Coming? Replacement Demand in the Global Economy, National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 12541, Cambridge, MA, September 2006, http://www.nber.org/papers/w12541. |
|
See, for example, Richard B. Freeman, Does Globalization of the Scientific/Engineering Workforce Threaten U.S. Economic Leadership?, National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 11457, Cambridge, MA, June 2005, http://www.nber.org/papers/w11457.pdf. |
|
See, for example, National Research Council, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, 2007. |
|
See, for example, various writings of Norm Matloff, Professor of Computer Science, University of California at Davis, http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/matloff.html. |
|
See, for example, Tom Kucharvy, Solutions to STEM Skills Mismatch, Beyond IT, February 25, 2012, http://beyond-it-inc.com/GKEblog/solutions-to-stem-skills-mismatch.html; and "Statistic of the Month: Investigating the Skills Mismatch," Center on International Education Benchmarking, July 31, 2012, http://www.ncee.org/2012/07/statistic-of-the-month-investigating-the-skills-mismatch. |
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See, for example, Vivek Wadhwa, Anna Lee Saxenian, Richard Freeman, and Alex Salever, Losing the World's Best and Brightest: America's New Immigrant Entrepreneurs, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, March 2009, http://www.kauffman.org/ |
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See, for example, Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President, Economic Policy Institute, "Op-Ed: America's Genius Glut," New York Times, February 7, 2013; Remarks of Brian Keane, Founder and CEO, Ameritas Technologies, and Neeraj Gupta, Founder and CEO, Systems in Motion, at Senate briefing on "Understanding the Impact of the H-1B Program: On the Economy, Employers and Workers," March 14, 2013, http://www.epi.org/files/2013/Keane_H-1B_briefing_14_March_2013.pdf; and Stan Sorscher, Labor Representative, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, Flooding the STEM Labor Market, March 3, 2013, http://www.ifpte.org/downloads/issues/2013-3-3%20Flooding%20the%20STEM%20labor%20market.pdf. |
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U.S. Department of Education, "Secretary Arne Duncan's Remarks at OECD's Release of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009 Results," press release, December 7, 2010, http://www.ed.gov/news/speeches/secretary-arne-duncans-remarks-oecds-release-program-international-student-assessment; Paul E. Peterson, Ludger Woessmann, Eric A. Hanushek, and Carlos X. Lastra-Anadon, Globally Challenged: Are U.S. Students Ready to Compete, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, PEPG Report No. 11-03, August 2011, http://www.hks.harvard.edu/pepg/PDF/Papers/PEPG11-03_GloballyChallenged.pdf; and Brandon Wright, "What do International Tests Really Show About U.S. Student Performance," Thomas B. Fordham Institute, January 24, 2013, http://www.edexcellence.net/commentary/education-gadfly-weekly/2013/january-24/what-do-international-tests-really-show-about-us-performance.html. |
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Martin Carnoy and Richard Rothstein, What Do International Tests Really Show About U.S. Student Performance, Economic Policy Institute, January 15, 2013, http://www.epi.org/publication/us-student-performance-testing. |