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General Science and Engineering Indicators
R&D Investment Patterns
S&E Workforce Development
Average Annual Growth Rates of S&E Occupations v. All Workers
Number of Degrees Awarded by S&E Field at U.S. Colleges and Universities
Freshmen Intending S&E Major by Field
Knowledge Output

Selected Education Indicators
High School Completion Patterns
High School Teachers
Higher Education Enrollments

Selected Global Marketplace Indicators
Competitiveness

Glossary
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Since 1960, the U.S. science and engineering workforce has grown faster than the full workforce.

Why is this indicator important?

  • A growing S&E workforce is an indicator of increased capacity for innovation.

Key Observations

  • S&E employment grew at an average annual rate of 3.6% between 1990 and 2000, compared with an average annual rate of 1.1% for the U.S. workforce as a whole.

Related Discussion

  • Today, S&E workers make up approximately 4% of the total U.S. civilian labor force, up from 2.6% in 1983.
  • Growth in the S&E workforce in the United States was made possible by three factors:
    (1) Increases in S&E degrees earned by both native and foreign-born students,
    (2) Both temporary and permanent migration to the United States of those with foreign S&E education, and
    (3) The relatively small number of scientists and engineers old enough to retire (SEI 2008 Chapter 3).