by Carolina Milesi, Lance A. Selfa, and Lynn M. Milan [1]
In 2010, an estimated 805,500 individuals in the United States held research doctoral degrees in science, engineering, and health (SEH) fields, an increase of 6.2% from 2008.[2] Of these individuals, 709,700 were in the labor force, which includes those employed full time or part time and those actively seeking work (i.e., unemployed). The unemployment rate for SEH doctorate recipients was 2.4% in October 2010, up from 1.7% in October 2008 and similar to the rate in October 2003 (table 1).[3] Moreover, the 2010 unemployment rate of the SEH doctoral labor force was about one-third of the October 2010 unemployment rate for the general population aged 25 years or older (8.2%).[4]
TABLE 1. Number in labor force and unemployment rate for scientists and engineers with U.S. doctoral degrees, by field of doctorate: 2001–10
Field of doctorate
2001
2003
2006
2008
2010
Number in labor force
All SEH fields
582,500
606,300
630,300
670,200
709,700
Biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences
142,400
148,800
158,200
167,600
179,600
Computer and information sciences
10,900
12,300
13,700
16,300
19,400
Mathematics and statistics
26,300
29,000
29,500
31,200
32,500
Physical sciences
113,200
115,700
115,800
119,900
124,400
Psychology
89,600
93,000
97,500
101,000
104,200
Social sciences
77,200
79,600
81,000
85,100
88,700
Engineering
101,300
104,400
108,000
119,800
129,100
Health
21,500
23,600
26,500
29,300
31,800
Unemployment rate (percent)a
All SEH fields
1.3
2.1
1.4
1.7
2.4
Biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences
1.1
2.0
1.4
1.9
2.2
Computer and information sciences
0.9
2.4
1.4
1.2
2.1
Mathematics and statistics
1.5
2.4
1.0
1.0
1.5
Physical sciences
1.7
2.5
2.1
2.4
3.5
Psychology
0.8
1.7
0.9
1.3
1.7
Social sciences
1.3
1.5
1.0
1.3
1.9
Engineering
1.7
2.7
1.4
1.8
2.8
Health
0.5
1.3
0.7
1.0
1.9
SEH = science, engineering, and health.
a Based on count of doctorate recipients in labor force.
NOTES: Numbers represent weighted counts, rounded to the nearest 100. October was the survey reference month in 2003, 2008, and 2010; April was the survey reference month in 2001 and 2006. Estimates from 2001 to 2006 may vary slightly from those previously published due to revised nondisclosure procedures. Estimates from 2008 vary from those previously published to reflect a revised sample design that integrates the international component of the Survey of Doctorate Recipients. Estimates from 2010 also reflect the integrated sample design. See Data Sources and Availability for more detail.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
These and other findings in this InfoBrief are from the 2010 Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), which collects information from individuals who have earned research doctorates in SEH fields from U.S. academic institutions.
Employment Status
Field of Doctoral Study and Years since Doctorate
Of the approximately 709,700 SEH doctoral degree holders in the labor force in 2010, about one-quarter (25.3%) had earned a doctorate in the biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences; 18.2% had doctorates in engineering; 17.5% in physical sciences; 14.7% in psychology; 12.5% in social sciences; 4.6% in mathematics and statistics; 4.5% in health; and 2.7% in computer and information sciences (percentages derived from table 1). Unemployment rates ranged from 1.5% for those who received doctorates in mathematics and statistics to 3.5% for those who received doctorates in the physical sciences.
Of the total SEH doctoral population in October 2010, 88.1% was in the labor force, with 76.1% working full time and another 9.9% working part time (table 2). An additional 10.0% of the SEH doctoral population was retired in 2010, whereas the rest was not seeking work (1.9%). Across SEH degree fields, full-time employment ranged from 66.2% for those with psychology doctorates to 88.5% for those with computer and information sciences doctorates.
TABLE 2. Employment status of scientists and engineers with U.S. doctoral degrees, by field and years since doctorate: 2010 (Percent)
In labor force
Not in labor force
Working for pay or profit
Field and years since doctorate
Total (number)
All
All working
Full time
Part time
Unemployeda
All
Retired
Not working, not seeking work
All U.S. SEH doctorate holders
805,500
88.1
86.0
76.1
9.9
2.1
11.9
10.0
1.9
Field of doctorate
Biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences
201,800
89.0
87.1
79.6
7.5
2.0
11.0
8.4
2.6
Computer and information sciences
20,000
97.0
95.0
88.5
6.5
2.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
Mathematics and statistics
38,200
85.1
83.8
75.4
8.1
1.3
15.2
13.1
1.8
Physical sciences
145,900
85.3
82.3
74.6
7.7
2.9
14.7
13.2
1.5
Psychology
116,700
89.3
87.7
66.2
21.6
1.5
10.7
8.3
2.4
Social sciences
103,600
85.6
84.0
73.3
10.7
1.6
14.4
12.6
1.7
Engineering
143,800
89.8
87.3
81.3
6.1
2.5
10.2
9.0
1.2
Health
35,500
89.6
87.9
76.9
11.3
1.7
10.4
8.5
1.7
Years since doctorate
2 years or less
61,200
97.4
95.1
89.4
5.9
2.1
2.8
D
2.6
3–5 years
82,100
97.2
95.2
89.2
6.1
1.9
2.8
0.1
2.7
6–10 years
113,500
96.8
95.2
87.6
7.7
1.6
3.2
0.7
2.5
11–15 years
113,000
96.2
94.2
85.0
9.1
2.0
3.7
1.2
2.5
16–20 years
99,100
95.4
92.9
84.5
8.5
2.3
4.7
2.6
2.1
21–25 years
82,000
93.3
91.5
82.8
8.7
1.8
6.7
5.4
1.3
More than 25 years
254,500
71.0
68.8
54.3
14.4
2.3
29.0
27.9
1.0
D = suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information.
SEH = science, engineering, and health.
aBased on count of all doctorate recipients.
NOTES: Numbers represent weighted counts, rounded to the nearest 100. Designation of full-time and part-time employment status is based on principal job only, not on all jobs held in labor force. Full-time employed persons are those working at least 35 hours per week at their principal job. Part-time employed persons are those working fewer than 35 hours per week.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 2010.
Retirement and part-time work status differed by years since doctorate award. Those who earned their doctorates more than 25 years ago were, as expected, more likely to be retired and out of the labor force (27.9% in 2010) and more likely to be working part time (14.4%) than were younger cohorts (table 2).[5] In contrast, years since doctorate award had no significant relationship with the unemployment rate.[6]
Demographics
Women continue to represent a growing share of doctorate holders, rising to 31.5% of all SEH doctorate holders in October 2010, from 30.2% in October 2008 and 29.0% in April 2006. In 2010, the labor force participation rate among SEH doctorate holders was 88.9% for women, compared with 87.7% for men (table 3). Female SEH doctorate holders were less likely than their male counterparts to be employed full time in 2010 (72.4% of women, 77.9% of men) and more likely not to be seeking work (4.3% of women, 0.8% of men). Female SEH doctorate holders, who as a group are younger than male SEH doctorate holders, were also less likely than their male counterparts to be retired (6.7% of women, 11.5% of men). In contrast, the proportions of men (2.0%) and women (2.1%) who reported themselves as unemployed in October 2010 were not significantly different.
TABLE 3. Employment status of scientists and engineers with U.S. doctoral degrees, by sex, ethnicity, race, and citizenship: 2010 (Percent)
In labor force
Not in labor force
Working for pay or profit
Sex ethnicity race and citizenship
Total (number)
All
All working
Full time
Part time
Unemployeda
All
Retired
Not working, not seeking work
All U.S. SEH doctorate holders
805,500
88.1
86.0
76.1
9.9
2.1
11.9
10.0
1.9
Sex
Male
551,700
87.7
85.7
77.9
7.8
2.0
12.3
11.5
0.8
Female
253,700
88.9
86.8
72.4
14.4
2.1
11.1
6.7
4.3
Ethnicity and race
Hispanic or Latino
25,800
93.0
91.1
81.8
8.9
1.9
7.0
5.0
1.9
Not Hispanic or Latino
779,700
87.9
85.9
76.0
9.9
2.1
12.1
10.2
1.9
American Indian or Alaska Native
1,700
88.2
88.2
76.5
11.8
D
5.9
D
D
Asian
147,500
93.6
91.3
86.4
4.7
2.3
6.4
4.7
1.7
Black or African American
24,500
93.9
91.0
80.4
11.0
2.4
6.1
4.9
1.2
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
900
88.9
88.9
77.8
11.1
D
11.1
D
11.1
White
596,300
86.2
84.2
73.1
11.1
2.0
13.8
11.8
1.9
More than one race
8,800
93.2
89.8
79.5
10.2
2.3
6.8
4.5
2.3
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
775,300
87.7
85.6
75.4
10.2
2.1
12.3
10.4
1.9
Temporary visa holder
30,200
98.3
97.4
95.4
2.0
1.0
1.7
D
1.3
D = suppressed to avoid disclosure of confidential information.
SEH = science, engineering, and health.
aBased on the count of all doctorate recipients.
NOTES: Numbers represent weighted counts, rounded to the nearest 100. Designation of full-time and part-time employment status is based on principal job only, not on all jobs held in labor force. Full-time employed persons are those working at least 35 hours per week at their principal job. Part-time employed persons are those working fewer than 35 hours per week. Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin may be of any race.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 2010.
Underrepresented minorities—racial and ethnic groups whose representation in science, engineering, and health fields is smaller than their representation in the U.S. population; namely, American Indians or Alaska Natives, blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, and individuals reporting more than one race—collectively constituted 7.7% of all SEH doctorate recipients (derived from table 3). A majority of the SEH doctoral population was white (74.0%), followed by Asian (18.3%). The percentage of Hispanics or Latinos who were employed full time was higher than the percentage of all others employed full time (81.8% versus 76.0%). Among those who are not Hispanic or Latino, Asian doctorate holders exhibited a higher level of full-time employment (86.4%) than blacks or African Americans (80.4%), whites (73.1%), and those who reported more than one race (79.5%). Whites were more likely to be retired (11.8%) than Hispanics or Latinos (5.0%), Asians (4.7%), blacks or African Americans (4.9%), and those reporting more than one race (4.5%) (table 3), reflecting the younger ages of the individuals in the SEH doctoral population who are not white.[7]
In 2010, 3.7% of the SEH doctoral population held temporary visas (derived from table 3). As might be expected based on U.S. visa requirements, almost all of these individuals (97.4%) were working full or part time; a small fraction was not in the labor force in October 2010 (1.7%).
Sector
Four-year educational institutions employed 41.8% of all working SEH doctorate recipients in 2010. Private for-profit firms employed the next-largest share of the doctoral workforce at 32.3% of the total (derived from table 4). Employment in 4-year educational institutions was most common for doctorate recipients in the social sciences (62.1%). Employment in private for-profit firms was most prevalent for doctorate recipients in the field of engineering (56.9%) (derived from table 4).
TABLE 4. Employed scientists and engineers with U.S. doctoral degrees, by employment sector and field of doctorate: 2010
Employment sector
Field of doctorate
All employed
4-year educational institutiona
Private for-profitb
Private non-profit
Federal government
State or local government
Self-employedc
Otherd
All SEH fields
692,900
289,400
223,900
45,100
48,700
17,300
41,700
26,800
Biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences
175,700
83,500
46,400
14,200
15,600
4,100
5,700
6,200
Computer and information sciences
19,000
7,400
9,400
700
600
100
500
300
Mathematics and statistics
32,000
18,100
9,000
1,300
1,300
300
700
1,300
Physical sciences
120,100
42,500
49,800
6,300
9,700
2,300
4,500
5,000
Psychology
102,400
34,100
20,700
9,800
6,000
5,200
20,200
6,400
Social sciences
87,000
54,000
10,900
5,400
5,100
2,400
4,300
4,900
Engineering
125,500
33,000
71,400
4,400
8,200
2,300
4,500
1,600
Health
31,200
16,800
6,200
3,000
2,300
700
1,100
1,100
SEH = science, engineering, and health.
a Includes 4-year colleges or universities, medical schools (including university-affiliated hospitals or medical centers), and university-affiliated research institutes. b Includes those self-employed in an incorporated business. c Self-employed or business owner in a nonincorporated business. d Includes 2-year colleges, community colleges, technical institutes, other precollege institutions, and employers not broken out separately.
NOTE: Numbers represent weighted counts, rounded to the nearest 100.
SOURCE: National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Doctorate Recipients, 2010.
Comparative terms in this InfoBrief (e.g., higher, more or less likely, differ, increase) are based on statistical tests for significant differences at the 95% level. Percentage comparisons in this report are based on unrounded estimates and may differ from percentages calculated from the rounded estimates displayed in the tables.
The ethnicity and race categories reported here are mutually exclusive. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity refers to all individuals who reported Hispanic or Latino origin regardless of racial background. The estimates on racial backgrounds refer to individuals who were not of Hispanic or Latino origin and who reported only one racial background. Individuals who reported more than one racial background are shown as a separate group.
Data in this InfoBrief are from the SDR, a biennial longitudinal survey of individuals who earned doctoral degrees in SEH fields from U.S. institutions. A sample of doctorate recipients is followed throughout their careers until they reach age 76, and the panel is refreshed each survey cycle with a sample of recent doctoral graduates. The SDR has been conducted since 1973 and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health.
The 2010 SDR provides data from 31,462 responding sample members (80% response rate), representing an estimated 805,500 SEH doctorate recipients in the United States. Historically, the SDR sample included only U.S.-degreed doctorate recipients residing or working in the United States on the survey reference date. In 2003, NSF initiated a feasibility study to include U.S.-degreed doctorate recipients located outside of the United States (i.e., an international sample). From 2003 to 2008, individuals selected for the international sample were considered ineligible for the survey if they were located in the United States. Beginning in 2010, an integrated sample design was implemented, allowing international sample members who were found in the United States to be considered eligible for the survey and counted among the national sample. Once developed, this integrated approach was also applied to the 2008 SDR data, resulting in the revised estimates shown in table 1.
[1] Carolina Milesi and Lance A. Selfa are with NORC at the University of Chicago. For more information, contact Lynn M. Milan, Human Resources Statistics Program, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 965, Arlington, VA 22230 (lmilan@nsf.gov; 703-292-2275).
[2] Counts in this InfoBrief represent weighted numbers rounded to the nearest 100. The standard error of the overall doctoral population of 805,500 is 950 (rounded up to the nearest 50). As such, the true number of doctorate recipients with U.S. doctoral degrees living in the United States in October 2010 is estimated (at a 95% confidence interval) to be between 803,600 and 807,400. For a listing of science, engineering, and health fields included in the 2008 Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR), see appendix table B-1 at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf13302/. The estimated 2008 doctoral population count used in this InfoBrief reflects the integration of the SDR’s international component. Therefore, the count is slightly higher than the previously reported estimate. See further details in the Data Sources and Availability section.
[3] Although the 2010 unemployment rate of 2.4% appears to be the highest in a decade, it does not differ in a statistically significant way from the 2003 rate of 2.1%.
[4] Unemployment statistics for the general population aged 25 years or older are published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and were obtained from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_11052010.pdf on 22 October 2012. The civilian unemployment rate for the population aged 16 years or older in October 2010 was 9.5%, which is available at http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000 (accessed on 26 April 2013). Persons are classified as unemployed if they do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior 4 weeks, and are currently available for work.
[5] The length of time since doctorate receipt is associated with age: the median age of those with more than 25 years since doctorate receipt is 65 years, and the median age of those with 25 or fewer years since doctorate receipt is 45 years.
[6] Two measures of unemployment are used in this InfoBrief: (1) the unemployment rate as noted in table 1, which is based on the count of doctorate recipients in the labor force, and (2) the percentage unemployed as noted in table 2 and 3, which is based on the count of all doctorate recipients, regardless of whether they are in the labor force.
[7] Because of the small sizes of the populations of (1) American Indians or Alaska Natives and (2) Native Hawaiians or Other Pacific Islanders, statistically reliable comparisons between these two groups and others were not possible.
[8] Results from the 2013 SDR are expected to be available by the summer of 2014.
National Science Foundation, National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics Unemployment among Doctoral Scientists and Engineers Increased but Remained Below the National Average
Arlington, VA (NSF 14-310) [April 2014]
