Science and Engineering Workforce

Learn about data and trends within the U.S. science and engineering workforce, their demographic characteristics, educational history, additional training, and career pathways. Areas of exploration include information on individuals in science and engineering occupations and individuals in non-science and engineering occupations, including fields of study, degree levels, work credentials and training, and employment characteristics.

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Workforce Statistics

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Science and Engineering Workforce Topics

People: Workforce

Employment Sector

Employment Status

Occupation

Faculty Rank, Tenure Status

Income and Salary

Skilled Technical Workforce

Work Activity

People: Demographics

Citizenship

Disability Status

Family Characteristics

Race and Ethnicity

Sex

Research & Development (R&D) Activity

R&D Employment

Higher Education R&D

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC) R&D

Business R&D

Federal Government/Agency R&D

State Government/Agency R&D

R&D Publications & Articles

R&D Intensity

Type of R&D (basic, applied, experimental development)

People: Students/Education

Higher Education Degrees

Certifications and Licenses

Postgraduation Plans

Financial Support

Student Loan Debt

Colleges and Universities, People: Workforce

Postdoctorates

Colleges and Universities

Institutions

Minorities in Higher Education

Non-faculty Research Personnel

Current Topics

COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts

Innovation & Production

Patenting and Trademark Activities

Product & Business Process Innovation

Production and Value Added

Most U.S.-Trained Science and Engineering Doctorate Recipients on Temporary Visas Remain in the United States.

Analysis

Most U.S.-Trained Science and Engineering Doctorate Recipients on Temporary Visas Remain in the United States

February 24, 2025

Retirement Experiences of U.S.-Trained Doctoral Scientists and Engineers: Findings from the 2023 Survey of Doctorate Recipients.

Analysis

Retirement Experiences of U.S.-Trained Doctoral Scientists and Engineers: Findings from the 2023 Survey of Doctorate Recipients

January 23, 2025

Survey of Doctorate Recipients: 2023.

Data

Survey of Doctorate Recipients: 2023

January 23, 2025

Data Highlights

The share of U.S. college graduates employed full time trended downward between 2015 and 2021

Figure 1. The share of U.S. college graduates employed full time trended downward between 2015 and 2021)

In 2015, 66.8% of this population was employed full time, compared with 65.0% in 2021

34%

Percentage of 2023 doctorate recipients with definite non-postdoc U.S. employment commitments who reported academic employment

20%

Percentage increase of female postdocs at federally funded R&D centers between 2019 and 2023

U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers ages 55–75 who were employed but previously retired follow a distinct pattern, with a majority (63.1%) in a part-time job in 2023

Figure 2. U.S. residing doctoral scientists and engineers ages 55–75 who were employed but previously retired follow a distinct pattern, with a majority (63.1%) in a part-time job in 2023

More than half (59.1%) of this group still held a job closely related to their doctorate