Professionals in the Workforce: Life, Physical, and Social Scientists

Professionals in the Workforce: Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Updated December 2014 Life, physical, and social scientists (scientists for brevity) are highly educated professionals, who work in a wide variety of occupations and industries. Scientists collect and analyze data and report their findings, used for many purposes such as research and development, planning and prediction, and medical treatment. While many occupations for scientists have experienced overall growth in both employment and real wages, and weathered the 2008 recession reasonably well, still others face on-going decreases in employment and stagnating or declining wages. Employment in the Sciences The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects data on a number of occupations within the life, physical, and social sciences. In 2013, there were over 790,000 people employed as scientists, divided roughly evenly across the three sub-categories. Over 90 percent of those in science occupations work in one of five industries: professional, scientific, and technical services; federal, state, and local government; educational services; manufacturing; and health 100% 90% 80% 70% Employment of scientists by industry, 2013 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Other indistries employing scientists: Mining Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services Management of Companies and Enterprises Wholesale Trade Other Services (non government) 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Federal, State, and Local Government (OES designation) Educational Services Manufacturing Health Care and Social Assistance Utilities Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Information Transportation and Warehousing Construction Retail Trade Real Estate and Rental and Leasing Accommodation and Food Services source: "Occupational Employment Statistics Query System." Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2013. Retrieved from http://data.bls.gov/oes/datatype.do

care and social assistance. While most scientists work in the private sector, approximately 26 percent work for the federal, state, or local governments. 1 Life Scientists In 2013, there were approximately 277,100 people employed as life scientists in the U.S. Life scientists study living organisms, and the field includes professionals working as animal scientists, biochemists and biophysicists, biologists, conservation scientists, epidemiologists, food scientists and technologists, foresters, medical scientists, microbiologists, soil and plant scientists, and zoologists and wildlife scientists. The BLS also reports on professionals not distinguished in one of these categories under the category all other life scientists. 2 Medical scientists represented the largest proportion of life scientists, with approximately 104,280 (or 37.6 percent of all life scientists) employed in the occupation in 2013. Biologists and biochemists and biophysicists were the next two most common occupations, with approximately 33,100 and 29,110 employees, respectively. Animal scientists were the smallest profession, with just 2,320 employed in 2013. 3 Physical Scientists The work of physical scientists is generally centered around the study and application of the principles of physics and chemistry. This field includes astronomers, atmospheric and space scientists, chemists, environmental scientists (including those in health and safety), geoscientists, hydrologists, materials scientists, physicists, and the category all other physical scientists. There were approximately 276,750 physical scientists in 2013, which was roughly the same number as life scientists. 4 Chemists and environmental scientists had the highest employment in 2013, each representing over 87,000 employees, or 63 percent of all physical scientists. Geoscientists were the second largest occupation with 34,690 employed in 2013 or 12.5 percent of physical scientists. Astronomers represented the smallest occupation in the field with just 1,750 workers. 5 Social Scientists The social sciences are those which examine human society and the relationships of individuals and includes occupations such as anthropologists and archaeologists; clinical, counseling, and school psychologists; economists; geographers; historians; industrial and organizational psychologists; political scientists; other psychologists; sociologists; survey researchers; and urban and regional planners. Those not included in a category are reported under all other social scientists and related workers. 6 In 2013, there were approximately 237,790 social scientists in the U.S., nearly 44 percent of whom were clinical, counseling, or school psychologists (104,480). Urban and regional planners was the next largest occupation with 35,940 employed. Industrial and organizational psychology and geography were the smallest occupational groups with 1,040 and 1,480 employed, respectively. 7 Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 2 of 9

Demographics and Regional Distribution Demographics In general, women, African Americans, and those of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity are under-represented in science occupations. Data is not available on all occupations due to small sample sizes; however, there are observable differences in gender, racial, and ethnic diversity across those occupations for which data is available. In 2013, women represented 51.4 percent of the total professional workforce and 46.1 percent of those in life, physical, and social science occupations. By occupation, representation of women varied from a low of 27.9 percent of environmental and geological scientists to a high of 73.8 percent of psychologists. African Americans were 11.2 percent of the total U.S. workforce in 2013, 8.5 percent of the professional workforce, but only 5.6 percent of the scientist workforce. African Americans had below average representation in all but one science occupation; in 2013, approximately 11.3 percent of miscellaneous social scientists and related workers identified as African American. Hispanic or Latino professionals were 15.6 percent of the total U.S. workforce in 2013, 8.3 percent of the professional workforce, but only 7.9 percent of the scientist workforce. Chemical and materials scientists and psychologists both had above average representation of Hispanic or Latino workers, while environmental and geological scientists had the lowest representation of this ethnic group with only 3.8 percent. Asian Americans had far greater than average representation in most sciences with a few notable exceptions. In 2013, 5.7 percent of the U.S. workforce was Asian, 7.4 percent of the professional workforce identified as Asian, compared to 11.8 percent of those in science occupations. While 26.3 percent of medical scientists were Asian, this was only true of 6.3 percent of environmental and geological scientists. Nearly 17 percent of biologists were Asian, compared to less than 2.5 percent of psychologists. 8 Overall, these demographics have changed little in the last decade. In 2003, 43 percent of those in science occupations were women, 6.3 percent were black or African American, 10.3 percent were Asian, and 5.9 percent were Hispanic or Latino. 9 Regional Distribution Larger states often have higher numbers of employment for most occupations, which is generally a function of larger populations; however, the BLS also measures concentration of employment, i.e. the number of scientists as a percentage of all employment in the state or metropolitan area. California, unsurprisingly given its size, had the highest level of employment for science occupations in 2013 with 13.7 percent of the national science workforce, including technicians and support staff. Texas and New York followed with 6.1 and 5 percent of the scientific workforce, respectively. 10 However, when compared to the size of the local workforce, Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 3 of 9

The District of Columbia, Alaska, and Delaware, which all have relatively small populations, had the three highest concentrations of scientists in 2013. 11 Local industry also influences concentration of scientists in specific occupations. For example, in 2013, over 25 percent of medical scientists were in California, while Texas claimed over 30 percent of geoscientists. Additionally, California was home to over 16 percent of all environmental scientists and specialists. Sixteen percent of atmospheric and space scientists were employed in Colorado, 20 percent of urban and regional planners were in California, and 28 percent of all economists were employed in the District of Columbia. 12 Job Outlook for Scientists Most occupations for scientists saw an overall increase in the total number of jobs since 2004. The number of astronomers increased by over 150 percent; however, this is a very small occupation and subject to sampling bias. 120.00% 100.00% 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% Percent change in employment by occupation, 2004 2013 source: "Occupation Profiles." Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2003 2013. Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 4 of 9

While most occupations experienced overall growth in the last decade, many saw a loss in total employment following the 2008 recession. For example, the number of medical scientists grew substantially each year from 2003 to 2009; however, between 2009 and 2010 the occupation lost over 8,000 jobs. Since 2010, the number has rebounded above pre-recession levels. Employment for urban and regional planners grew steadily until 2009, but has stagnated since. The number of physicists over the last decade was somewhat mercurial, with moderate positive and negative changes year-to-year. 13 The unemployment rate for workers in all life, physical, and social science occupations, was two percent in September 2014, compared to 5.9 percent for the workforce writ large. 14 Education and Training Scientists are a highly educated workforce and the vast majority of workers hold at least a bachelor s degree; however, the distribution of education attainment varies by occupational group. Many occupations in the sciences require both an advanced degree and specific training and experience such as working as a research assistant or post-doctoral fellows. 15 In the life sciences, biological scientists and medical and all other life scientists had the highest concentrations of professionals with doctoral degrees, while the bachelor s degree was most common amongst conservation scientists and foresters and agricultural and food scientists. 16 Educational attainment of life scientists 25 years and older, September 2014 Medical and all other life scientists 43.87% 23.62% 31.25% Conservation scientists and foresters 67.27% 15.55% 2.30% Biological scientists 33.04% 39.42% 26.29% Agricultural and food scientists 77.34% 2.70% 11.84% Associate's degree or less Bachelor's degree Master's or professional degree Doctorate degree source: U.S. Census Bureau, DataFerrett, Current Population Survey, Public Use Microdata, September 2014. Note: The unit of observation in the ACS is the person, while in OES data the unit of observation is the job. Therefore sum totals for each occupation may differ. The ACS data also have some limitations associated with self reporting. The most common degree among physical science professionals was the bachelor s degree; 55.4 percent of astronomers and physicists, 49.5 percent of chemists and material Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 5 of 9

scientists, and 57.8 percent of environmental scientists and geologists had a bachelor s degree in 2014. Doctoral degrees were most common among professionals labeled under the other physical scientists category. 17 Educational attainment of physical scientists 25 years and older, September 2014 Astronomers and physicists 55.54% 30.85% 13.61% Chemists and materials scientists 49.51% 34.43% 10.25% Environmental scientists and geologists 57.87% 24.98% 10.28% Other physical scientists 28.82% 25.86% 42.68% Associate's degree or less Bachelor's degree Master's or professional degree Doctorate degree source: U.S. Census Bureau, DataFerrett, Current Population Survey, Public Use Microdata, September 2014. Note: The unit of observation in the ACS is the person, while in OES data the unit of observation is the job. Therefore sum totals for each occupation may differ. The ACS data also have some limitations associated with self reporting. Psychologists had the highest education attainment amongst social scientists with just fewer than 90 percent holding at least a master s degree in September 2014. Sixty percent of economists held a master s, professional, or doctorate degree, while roughly half of all other social scientists held a master s degree. 18 Educational attainment of social scientists 25 years and older, September 2014 Economists 39.27% 39.36% 21.37% Psychologists 11.43% 52.42% 36.15% Urban and regional planners 59.29% 40.09% 0.62% Other social scientists 36.59% 32.56% 16.59% Associate's degree or less Bachelor's degree Master's or professional degree Doctorate degree source: U.S. Census Bureau, DataFerrett, Currently Population Survey, Public Use Microdata, September 2014. Note: The unit of observation in the ACS is the person, while in OES data the unit of observation is the job. Therefore sum totals for each occupation may differ. The ACS data also have some limitations associated with self reporting. Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 6 of 9

Compensation and Working Conditions The high level of training and education of scientists means they are often wellcompensated professionals. Median annual earnings in 2013 for life scientists ranged from $57,110 for foresters to $84,320 for biochemists and biophysicists. In the physical sciences, median earnings were lowest for environmental scientists at $65,090 and highest for physicists at $110,110. In the social sciences, survey researchers reported the lowest median annual earnings of $47,720, while political scientists reported the highest at $100,920. 19 Controlling for inflation, some science occupations have experienced an increase in median wages over the last decade, while others have stagnated or decreased. Survey researchers saw the largest (approximately 46 percent) increase in real wages; however, some changes to occupation definitions may influence this change. All life, physical, and social science occupations, except for survey researchers, experienced changes in median real wages ranging from a decline of as much as eight percent to an increase of just over eight percent. 20 10.00% 8.00% 6.00% 4.00% 2.00% 0.00% 2.00% 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% Percent change in median real wages for scientists, 2004 2013, in 2013 dollars source: "Occupation Profiles." Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2003 2013. note: excludes astronomers ( 18.45%) and survey researchers (39.92%). Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 7 of 9

Because scientists work in a wide variety of occupations, their working conditions may vary significantly. Some scientists, such as food and agricultural scientists or atmospheric scientists may spend their time in a lab or office as well as in the field gathering data. Psychologists or medical scientists might work directly with patients providing treatment as well as conducting research. Biochemists and biophysicists or geoscientists may face specific work related hazards such as toxic chemicals or physically demanding fieldwork. Some scientists may work independently, while others work as part of a larger research team. 21 Unions in the Science Professions Union density varies by occupation. In the life sciences, conservation scientists and foresters has the highest density with 23.3 percent union membership, while medical scientists and other life scientists had the lowest, with 8.3 percent membership in 2013. In the physical sciences, astronomers and physicists reported a union membership of 12.4 percent, while chemists and materials scientists reported a union membership of 3.2 percent. In the social sciences, both psychologists and urban and regional planners had high rates of union membership, with 30.2 and 17 percent. respectively. Economists had a union membership rate of 6.3 percent in 2013. 22 A number of different unions count scientists among their members, including the America Federation of Government Employees, the American Federation of Teachers, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, and the Office and Professional Employees International Union. For more information about scientists, engineers, and professional and technical workers, visit the DPE website, www.dpeaflcio.org. The Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE) comprises 22 AFL- CIO unions representing over four million people working in professional, technical and administrative support occupations. DPE-affiliated unions represent: teachers, college professors, and school administrators; library workers; nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals; engineers, scientists, and IT workers; journalists and writers, broadcast technicians and communications specialists; performing and visual artists; professional athletes; professional firefighters; psychologists, social workers, and many others. DPE was chartered by the AFL-CIO in 1977 in recognition of the rapidly growing professional and technical occupations. Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 8 of 9

Source: DPE Research Department 815 16th Street, N.W., 7th Floor Washington, DC 20006 Contact: Jennifer Dorning December 2014 (202) 683-0320, extension 114 jdorning@dpeaflcio.org 1 Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2013. Retrieved from http://data.bls.gov/oes/datatype.do 2 May 2013 Occupation Profiles. Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, April 1, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm#19-0000 3 4 5 6 7 8 Table 11. Employed persons by detailed occupation, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Current Population Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2013. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.pdf 9 10 Charts of the States with the highest employment level for each occupation, May 2012. Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from www.bls.gov/oes/ 11 19-0000 Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations (Major Group). Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, April 1, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes190000.htm 12 Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2013. Retrieved from http://data.bls.gov/oes/datatype.do 13 Occupation Profiles. Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2003 2013. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm#19-0000 14 U.S. Census Bureau, DataFerrett, Current Population Survey, Basic Monthly Microdata, June 2014; Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/lns14000000 15 Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, January 8, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-socialscience/ 16 U.S. Census Bureau, DataFerrett, American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata, 2014. 17 18 19 May 2013 Occupation Profiles. Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, April 1, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm 20 21 Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, January 8, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-socialscience/ 22 Hirsch, Barry T. and Macpherson, David A. 2014 Union Membership and Earnings Data Book. The Bureau of National Affairs Inc., 2014. Life, Physical, and Social Scientists Page 9 of 9