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DOCUMENT RESUME . HE 013 607

Scopino,'JOhn A.

Employment Attributes of-Recent Science and

Engineering Graduates. Special Report.

'National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C.

NSF-80-325

Oct 80

Statistical tables may notreproduce well.

National Science Foundation, Washington, DZ.

MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.

*Bachelors Degrees; *College Graduates; Cmputer

Science; Educations Work Relationship; Empl7;yment

Level; *Employment Patterns; *Engineering; ;7:ngineers:

Females; Graduate Surveys; Higher Education: labor

Market; Males; *Masters Degrees; Occupational

Surveys'; Salaries: *Sciences: Scientists; Sex

Differences; Social Sciences: Vocational Followup

ABSTRACT

information on the 1979 employment activities of 1977

graduates with bachelor's and master's degrees in science and

engineering (S/E) fields is presented. Trends in cohort size are

analyzed to provide a historical perspective for the survey findings.

Factors causing employment levels to be lower than the cohort size as

S/E graduates made the transition from school to work are suarmarized,

and the employment patterns of S/E graduates who are employed in. S/E

jobs and the implications of these patterns are examined. Among the

r-inding*;afe,the-folloWing:- employment in S/E jobs was oktained-bq

abcdt 'one4half of 'the bachelor's degree-holders and about

three - fourth's of the master's degree-holders: employment in part-time

and non-S/E jabs occurs among only. about one-sixth of the

degree-holders in the labor force; while about 9 out of 10 of, the

engineering and-computer science graduates were working'in.S/E jobs,

only about 1 in 5 of the social science degree - holders were so

employed: employment opportunities for'recent S/E graduates have

shifted toward jobs in industry and with the federal government: in

general, the S/E utilization rates for men were higher than those for

,women at both the bachelor's and master's level; most of the

differences in utilization'rates can be attributed to concentrations

cf men-or women in particular fields (men predominate in engineering

and women in the social sciences): R&D activities continue to be the

primary work cf about one-third Of scientists and engineers with

recently acquired bachelor's and master's degrees. Salary information

-is also analyzed. (SW)

***********************************************************************

Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made

from the original document.

****************45******************************************************
employment

attributes of recent

science and

engineering

graduates

(\ri

national science

foundation

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS

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TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

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U S DEPARTMENT

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RE P SENT OF F ICIAL NATIONAL

INSTITUTE OF

EDUCATION

POSITION OR POLICY

special report

NSF 80-325
"lb

foreword

This report presents findings on the employment patterns of recent science

and engineering (SIE) graduates who gained employment in SiE jobs. These

employment patterns provide early and dramatic indicators of labor market

changes for scientists and engineers. The extent to which young SiE graduates

seek and are able to find employment provides a measure of the robustness of

the economy: the degree to which they are employed in SiE jobs and the attributes of that employment generally reflect the level of activity of the Nation's

scientific and technological enterprise. This type of information can be of

value to scien e policymakers, potential employers of scientists and engineers,

and studentht educational counselors.

Two earlier reports on recent SiE graduates have been issued. The first investigated the extent to which SiE graduates entered the labor force and found

employment, and the relationship of that employment to the field of study.

The second report investigated the effects of the acquisition of skill over time

and of changes in the economic environment on labor market performance.

Information contained in this report is based on a 1979 survey of bachelor'sand master's -degre recipients in SiE fields. Surveys in this series provide one

of the mai:. data bases used by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to estimate the characteristics and activities of the total U.S. S/E population.

October 1980

Charles E. Falk

Director, Division of Science

Resources Studies

National Science Foundation

iii
iv

acknowledgments

This report was developed by John A. Scopino. Program Analyst. Demographic Studies Group. Supervision, review, and guidance were provided by J.

James Brown, Study Director, Demographic Studies Group; Michael F. Crowley. Senior Staff Associate for Methods and Analysis, Scientific and Technical

Personnel Studies Section; Alan Fechter, Head, Scientific and Technical Personnel Studies Section; and Charles E. Falk. Director, Division of Science Resources Studies.

*-1
Contents

Page

Highlights 1

Introduction 2

Employment in S/E Jobs 4

Employment in Field of Degree 6

Adequacy of Recent S/E Degree Production 8

Sector of Employment 9

Primary Work Activity 11

Salaries 12

Appendix:

Detailed Statistical Tables 14
related. publications

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Science and Engineering Graduates: The

EffeCts of Work Experience, Advanced

Degrees, and Business Cycles" 80-311 $1.50

No. 32. "Employment Patterns of Recent Entrants

into Science and Engineering" 78-310 S0.80

Reports

Science and Engineei mg Personnel: A National

Overview 80-316 54.25

National Patterns of Science and Technology

Resources, 1980 80-308 $3.75

Availability of Publications

Those publications marked with a price should be obtained directly from the Superintendent of

Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Where no price is listed.

single copies may be obtained gratis from the National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C.

20550.

(See inside back*cover for Other Science Resources Publications.)
highlights.

The S/E utilization rate, i.e., the proportion of 1977

S/E graduates in the labor force employed in S/E jobs

in 1979, indicates a limited potential for S/E employment among recent graduates at the bachelor's- and

master's-degrze levels. Employment in S/E jobs was

obtained by about one-half of the bachelor's degreeholders and about three-fourths of the master's

degree-holders. Between 1978 and 1979, the S/E

utilization rate showed a modest increase at both degree levels.

The observed low S/E utilization rates are not necessarily indicators of underemployment since underemployment in the form of involuntary employment in

part-time and non-S/E jobs occurs among only about

one-sixth of the recent S/E baccalaureate and master's degree-holders in the labor force.

The S/E utilization rate of the recent S/E degree recipients varied substantially by field of degree. While

about 9 out of 10 of the engineering and computer

science graduates were working in S/E jobs, only

about 1 in 5 of the social science degree-holders were

so employed.

There was an excess demand for computer scientists,

approximate supply/demand balance in chemistry and

engineering, and an excess supply in other scientific

fields. This excess supply in most fields was observed

at both the bachelor's- and master's-degree levels.

The imbalances, however, were smaller for recent

master's-degree recipients.

Employment opportunities for recent S/E gradUates

have shifted toward jobs in industry and with the Federal Government. Between 1976 and 1979, the increase in the number of recent S/E graduates hired

in these two sectors were 20 percent and 15 percent,

respectively. Other sectors showed absolute &clines.

The growth in industrial employment correlates with

recovery from the 1974-75 economic recession while

the increase in Federal employment appears related

to the increased emphasis on environmental and

energy programs, areas where S/E-skills are sought.

In general, the S/E utilization rates for men were

higher than those for women at both the bachelor'sand master's-degree level. Much of the difference in

utilization rates can be attributed to concentrations of

men or women in particular fields. Men predominate in

engineering and women are concentrated in the social

sciences. When these field effects are taken into consideration, the S/E utilization rates actually invert in

favor of women at the bachelor's-degree level and the

differential narrows from 21 per 100 to 8 per 100 for

master's degree-holders.

R&D activities continue to be the primary work of

about one-third of scientists and engineers with recently acquired bachelor's and master's degrees. This

level of involvement, however, is substantially lower

than that of Ph.D.'s where almost one-half are primarily engaged in R&D activities.

Recent S/E graduates in S/E jobs enjoyed higher

salaries than their peers in non-S/E jobs. Average

earnir.is of the S/E-employed group were about

one-third higher. Bachelor's degree-holders in engineering and the life and social sciences, however,

reported compavable salaries for S/E and non-S/E

employment.
introduction

This study focuses on, the 1979 employment activities of

a subset o' recent graduates with bachelor's and master's

degrees in science and engineering (S/E) fieldsthe 1977

graduating cohorts. A brief analysis of trends in cohort size

is first.offered to provide historical perspective for current

findings. Then follows a summary of the factors causing

employment leve!s to be lower than the cohort size as S/E

graduates make the transition from school to work. The remainder of this report examines the employment patterns of

S/E graduates who are employed in S/E jobs and the implications of these patterns. The report concentrates on involvement in science and engineering because it is a good

index of the demand for these graduates within the Nation's

scientific and technical enterprise.

There have been divergent trends, betweem 1974 and

1976, in the number of degree recipients in S/E fields.' At

the bachelor's-degree level, the number declined; at the

master's-degree level the number increased slightly (chart

1). These divergent trends reflect a combination of demographic effects and other factors such as the perceived attractiveness of S/E careers.

'Pepariment or Health. Education, and Welfare, National Center for Education

Statistics. Fornitil Degrees Conferred, annual series.

2
When the 1977 graduating cohorts were surveyed in

1979, not all were employed and only part were employed

in S/E jobs (chart 2). Some stayed in school full time for

further training; others (about 3 percent) opted to ri_main

outside of the labor force; i.e., choosing neither to work nor

to seek work. An equally small number were unemployed

(i.e., they were not employed, but sought work); and a substantial number were working in non-S/E jobs (about onehalf of the employed S/E bachelor's-degree recipients and

about one-quarter of the employed S/E master's-degree recipients).

The movement of 1977 graduates to SIE jobs amounted

to about 104,000 baccalaureate recipients and 33,000

master's degree-holders. These employment levels represented a modest absolute gain since 1976 for baccalaureate recipients (up from 99,000) but no significant increase for master's degree-holders. The observed movement away from S/E employment does not necessarily indicate underutilization of these highly trained people. Much of

the leakage described above (i.e., full-time enrollment in

graduate school, decisions to remain outside the labor

force, and decisions to work in non-S/E jobs) can be attributed to voluntary actions. For example, decisions to remain

in school represent voluntary decisions to forego current income and to incur some costs to derive future benefits in

the form of enhanced career opportunities.

An aspect of underutilization in 1979, however, can be

inferred from the number who were unemployed or involuntarly employed part time or in non-S/E jobs. The 1979

unemployment rate for these cohorts ranged around 2 and

3 percent, down from the 4 to 8 percent levels that prevailed

in 1976 reflecting improved economic conditions during the

later period. While these cohorts fared well in terms of unemployment, there appeared to be a significant amount of

involuntary employmentin part-time and non-S/E jobs

particularly for recent S/E graduates with a bachelor's degree. Involuntary part-time employment rates were about 2

percent for master's- and bachelor's-degree recipients in

the labor force. The analogous rates of involuntary non-S/E

employment (full time) were 9 percent and 2 percent for

bachelor's and master's degree-holders, respectively. Thus, the data indicate that almost all of those who

sought jobs found them, but many of these jobs were in

non-S/E occupations. Since employment in S/E jobs provides the clearest indication of demand for these graduates

in scientific and technological activity, the remainder of this

analysis focuses on the subset of recent graduates who reported that they were so employed.

Chart 2. Transition of 1977 science/engineering bachelor'sand master's-degree recipients from school to work: 1979

Full-time

post-mister's

graduate students

11 000 Master's

Science/engineering

graduates not enrolled

full -time in

graduate studies

222,000

Full-time

graduate

students

77,000

1

In labor force

214,000

Science/engineering

graduates not enrolled

full-time in

past master's

graduate studies

45,000'

,--Outside the

labor force

Employed

208,000

Employed in Employed in

nonscience/ science/

engineering engineering

jobs jobs

103,000 104,000

SOURCE: National Science Foundation

8,000 1.000

In labor force

44,000

Unemployed

7,000 1,009.

Employed

43,000

Employed ri

science/

engineering jobs

33,000

Employed In

nonscience/

engineering jobs

10,000

3
employment

in S/E jobs

The "S :E utilization rate"the

number of recent S/E graduates employed in S/E jobs per 100 recent S/E

Graduates in the labor force2is an

indication of relative demand. These

rates were substantially below the

full utilization of SiE graduates in S/E

jobs in 1979 (chart 3). About one-half

of the relevant 1977 S/E bachelor'sdegree recipients and about three- quarters of the corresponding

master's-degree recipients were employed in S/E jobs.

The S/E utilization rates varied by

field as well as by level of degree. Examination of recent trends

(1976-79) in these rates shows an increased demand for life science

degree-holders at the bachelor's

level, and for physical science

degree-holders at the master's level.

Engineering degree-holders showed

increasing demand at both degree

levels (chart 4).

The field variability in the 1979 S/E

utilization rates of baccalaureate recipients reflects the supply/demand

balance of the S/E labor market for

individuals at this degree level. In

general, the data indicate a relatively

greater demand for individuals with degrees in engineering than for

science-degree recipients and, within

the scientific specialties, a greater

demand for computer specialists.3

Throughout the remainder of this report. the

analysis of labor market performance involves only

those who were not full-time graduate students at

the time of the survey.

' bate for detailed fields are included in table A.

4

While more than 9 out of 10

engineering and computer science graduates in the labor force were

working in S/E jobs, less than 1 in 5

of the social science degree-holders

were so employed. Similar findings

are noted for recent S/E graduates

with master's degrees, with a smaller

of the difference in utilization r :s between engineers and social scientists

(9 out of 10 versus 1 out of 2). These

data are consistent with the recognized fact that, in many fields, the

baccalaureate does not accord professional standing in S/E occupations.
Utilization rates for recent S/E

master's-degree recipients in the

mathematical sciences (which include computer sciences) and engineering were comparable to those

of bachelor's degree-holders. Rates

were considerably higher, however,

among master's degree-holders in the

physical, life, and social sciences,

especially among the latter fields.

In general, men reported higher

utilization rates than women, given

field and level of degree. The SiE

utilization rate of male baccalaureate-holders across all fields was 55

percent as compared with 37 percent

for women. Among master's-degree

recipients the rates for men and

women were 79 percent and 58 percent, respectively. These differentials

are largely the result of concentrations of men or women in certain SiE

fields. Men predominate in engineering . whereas women are concentrated in the social sciences.

When the sex differences in field

distribution are accounted for, as

summarized below, the differences in

S/E utilization rates invert in favor of

women for bachelor's degree-holders

and narrow from 21 per 100 to 8 per

100 for master's degree-holders. The

remaining unexplained difference

may reflect employer hiring preferences in S/E jobs.{

''f he effects of the greater relative supplies of recent female graduates are more difficult to assess

but can he estimated. ff. other things being the

same. the number of female .eraduares had not

grown relative to male graduates since 1970, the

estimated S b utilization rates for females would

have been 45 per DM and 75 per 1(1(1 for bachelor's

and master's degrees. respectively, Thus, the

greater relative supple is estimated to have contributed 44 percent and 90 percent of the observed

differentials at the bachelor's- and master's-degree

levels. respectively.

Effects of sex differences in field

distribution on S E utilization rates

Bachelor's Master's

Male Female.

(Percent(

Mali! ',Female

Actual S;17:

utilization

rate 55 37 79 58

Modified I S/E j utilization

rate '34 I 37 '66 58

' Derived by giving men thc, field characteristics of

women and then computing the average utilization

rate from the male field-specific rates. 5
employment in

field of degree

Data regarding the extent to which

1977 S'E graduates were employed

within their field of degree in 1979

are presented in chart 5.5 Except for

engineering and the mathematical

sciences, less than one-half of the

baccalaureate recipients in S/E fields

were employed within their field of

study. As before, the field employment rate in computer sciences, a

subfield of the mathematical sciences, was about as large as the

analogous rate for engineers. About 6

out of 7 bachelor's-degree recipients

in engineering and computer sci- ences were employed within their

degree fields, The employment rates

in other degree fields were substantially lower, especially among social science degree-holders of whom

about 1 in 10 were working in social

science occupations. The proportion of women em- ployed in the field of their degree

was lower than that .of men; i.e., 29

percent as compared with 46 percent

among male baccalaureate recipients.

Once again, however, this sizable

overall differential appears to be the

result 'of different field patterns of

men and women, since the rates for

women baccalaureates are equal to,

or exceed. those of men in each of the

broad fields examined (chart 5).

s For purposes of this study. an individual whose

degree and employment fall within the same hruad

field category is considered to he working in his or

her field

The overall field employment rates

of master's-degree recipients were

significantly higher, both for men

and women. Among men, as before.

this higher rate was especially evident in all fields but mathematical

scienceshand engineering, where

field employment rates of master's

were no higher than those of bachelor's degree-holders.

A similar pattern emerges with respect to women except that field ern-.

ploYment rates in the matematical sciences and in engineering were

lower than at the baccalaureate level.
Because of the relatively -large sampling errors associated with the employment characteristics of women at

the master's level, these differences

must be interpreted with caution.

Nevertheless, the data indicate that

the acquisition of a master's degree

in these fields by women results in a

greater level of field switching than

was the ease at the baccalaureate

level.

This anomaly may be related to the

change in the pattern of employment

affiliation of women upon attainment

of tl.e master's degree in these fields.

For example, among mathematical science degree-holders at the baccalaureate level, about two-thirds of

both men and women were employed

by business 'and industry. At the

master's-degree level about .48 percent of men N.vere industrially employed while the corresponding rate

for women mathematicians ,was only

35 percent. At the same time, academic employment rates for men and

women (in all educational institutions) holding the master's degree

were 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively. Thus, the data suggest

that women holding the master's degree in the mathematical sciences

continue to he oriented to the teaching occupations.

7
adequacy of recent

SlE degree production

Cip

8

The adequacy of recent SiE degree

production in terms of employment

demand can be indexed by the ratio

of employment (classified by field of

employment) to labor force (classified by field of degree.) A ratio of

less than one indicates a relative excess supply, of recent graduates in

that field: a ratio greater than one indicates a relative excess demand.

Based on this index, one can conclude that supply exceeds demand in

most fields at both the bachelor'sand the master's-degree levels, although in 1979 relative imbalances were somewhat smaller at the

master's-degree level (chart 6). The

index shiws conditions of substantial excess supply in the 'ife and so-

/ cial sciences, approximate supplydemand balance for chemistry and

engineering, and excess demand for

computer scientists.

Since the transition of recent SiE

degree recipients from school to

work entails a shift from degree field

to employment field, the latter clas- sification will be used in the remaining sections of this report unless

otherwise noted.
sector of

employment

Employment data for recent

graduates for the years 1976 and 1979

reveal an annual growth rate of less

than 2 percent per year for S/E jobs

and a relative shift of employment

opportunities to jobs in industry and

the Federal Government (chart 7).

These findings hold at both the bachelor's- and master's-degree

levels. Overall employment in SIE

activities grew by 5.5 percent for recent S/E bachelor's-degree recipients

and '2.8 percent for master's-degree

recipients between 1976 and 1979.

This modest overall growth in employment. however. consisted of increases in excess of 20 percent for

business and industry and 15 percent

for the Federal Government. and absolute employment declines in the

other sectors combined. The academic sector showed no growth

during the period: a small increase in

employment for recent S/E bachelor's-degree recipients was more than

offset by a decline in employment for

SIE master's recipients.

The differentials in growth rates

observed between 1976 and 1979 can

partially be explained by the recovery from the 1974-75 recession

(which contributes to the strong em7 ,Y -4-

ployment trend observed in business

and industry.) The uncertain financial situation in academiabrought

about largely by expected declines in enrollmentsmay explain the leveling off of employment in academia.

At the same time, the growth of employment in the Federal Government

may reflect increased emphasis on

environmental and energy issues.

areas where S/E skills are essential.

Thus, business and industry remains the principal sector of employment for recent S/E graduates in

19-79, especially for bachelor's-degree

recipients (chart 8). This finding is

not surprising, considering the following: (1) 86 percent of all economic activity took place in the private sector in 19796 and (2) 62 percent of all scientists and engineers (both experienced and recent graduates) were employed in business and industry in 1978.'7

"Based on the gross national product. Council of

Economic Advisers. Economic Report of the President. !Washington. D.C.: Supt. of Documents. U.S.

Government Printing Office. 19801

'tiational Science Foundation, U.S. Scientists and

Engineers, 1978 (Detailed Statistical Tables) (NSF

80-3114) /Washington, D.C.. 19811.1

9
The differences by degree level in

sectoal employment distributions may be the result of diffefences in

field distribution by degree level.

The numbers of recent S/E grad' ;es

at the bachelor's-degree level working in ST. jobs are greatest in the

fields of engineering, computer science (included with the mathematical sciences), and chemistry (included with the physical sciences).

10

These fields have traditionally enjoyed relatively strong employment affiliations with the private sector

(chart 8).

Examination of S!E employment

rates by sector shows that business and industry and the Federal Government employed a larger sha're of

recent S!E graduate hires in SJE jobs

than did other sectors of the economy, regardless of sex or level of deze,

gree (chart 9). Within sectors, this

employment share was larger for

master's-degree recipients than for

bachelor's degree-holders and was

larger for men than for women. The

degree-level differential is in part attributable to the fact that the master's

degree is a prerequisite for -S/E work

in many fields. The sex differential is

due in part to the sex distribution

within fields.

Total

Men

Women

I_ I
primary work activi

Research and development continues to be the dominant we rk activity for recent graduates in SIE

jobss (chart 10). Over one-third of the

recent graduates were primarily engaged in R&D activities in 1979. This

degree of R&D involvement is notably

lower than comparable involvement

by Ph.D.'s in SIE jobs: almost one-half

of these Ph.D.'s reported some R&D

activity as their primary work in

1979.4 Involvement in research and

development varied among recent SIE

graduates by level of SIE degree and

sex. Among recent graduates with

master's degrees. men were more

likely to be involved in R&D activities as their primary work.

Women tended to be concentrated in

the social and mathematical science

fields where teaching and report

generating or computational work are

the primary activities. The degree effect may, be due to

differences in distributions by field

and employment sector or to the relative complexity of R&D work. There

were disproportionate numbers of

engineers and computer specialists at

the bachelor's-degree level. Graduates employed in these fields were

more likely to be primarily engaged

in iroduction- related activities (e.g.

tNlore detailed direct comparisons with earlier

periods are not possible because of changes that

have been made in the primary work activity

iIxonotny.

National Science Foundation, Characteristics of

Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in .he United

States. Mt 'Detailed Statistical TableN) (NSF Flo34:3) (Washington. D (:

engineers) or in report generating or

computational activities (e.g., compititer specialists). Similarly,

bachelor's-degree recipients were

more likely to be employed in the industrial sector, where R&D activity is

Total men women

less often the primary work than in

the academic sector. Finally. the relative complexity of R&D activity may

cause employers to prefer using recent graduates with advanced degrees in the-Se'types of activity.

11
salaries

Recent S/E graduates employed in

S/E jobs generally enjoyed higher

salaries than comparable graduates in

non-S/E jobs (chart 11). The exceptions were the fields of engineering,

life sciences, and social sciences at

the bachelor's- degree level. On aver- age, those employed in S1E jobs earned about one-third more than

those in non-S/E jobs.

The differentials between S/E and

non-S/E salaries were not substantial

among degree-holders in engineering and the life and social sciences,

especially at the baccalaureate level.

The salary premium for SiE employ- ment was most evident among

mathematical science degree-holders.

Lim

12

S/E

Non-S/E
appendix

detailed statistical tables
appendix

detailed

statistical

tables

Page

A. Selected employment characteristics of 1977 bachelor's-degree recipients

in science and engineering by field and sex: 1979 15

B. Selected employment characteristics of 1977 master's-degree recipients

in science and engineering by field and sex: 1979. 16

C. Distribution of 1977 science/engineering bachelor's-degree recipients

employed in SiE jobs by field, sector of employment, and primary work

activity: 1979 17,

D. Distribution of 1977 science/engineering master's-degree recipients employed in S/E jobs by field, sector of employment, and primary work activity: 1979 17

E. Median annual salaries of 1977 science /engineering, baccalaureate recipients by field of degree and S/E employment status: 1979 18

F. Median annual salaries of 1977 science/engineering master's-degree recipients by field of study and S/E emloyment status: 1979 19

14
Table A. Selected employment characteristics of 1977 bachelor's-degree recipients' in

science and engineering by field and sex: 1979

Field of study

Total

Physical sciences

Chemistry

Physics,

astronomy

Environmental

science

Other physical

sciences

Mathematical

sciences

Mathematics

Computer sciences

Engineering

Life sciences

Biology

Agricultural

sciences

Social sciences

Psychology

Economics

Sociology,

anthroplology

Other 'social

sciences

Total

Total: Men

Labor force rotal employed

'Women I Total r Men I Women Total , Men . Women1

f

222 2001245500

l6,200

r 5.600 4,200

1500 1.500

476,700 _214,500 144,500i

L 3.8001 15,600 12.200_1

I 1.400 5,400 4.100

; 300 1,800 I 1500

i 7,8001 5,900 ; 1,900 7 500 f 5,900

1 , 1,000; 700 ; 300 1,000 ; 700

_.... 18.0001 11,100 6,9001 17,900 11.100

12.300 6,800 5.5001 12,100-6,80-61

5.800 4,300 1.500j 5,800 4.30_,

-45,80-0Thr3 --2- 200 I 45,700 43,401.)-1-

52.300 33,000 19,300 50.800 32,800

34,7061i-9500 15,200 ; 33,600 19,300

1-,,600 13,500 4.100 17 200 13 500

8-9500 45.400 44.400 4 84.600 45,000

36.300 15.000 21.200 I 32,800 15.000 f10,900 8,600 2.300 , 10,600 8,6001

25,700 10,100 15,600j 24,700 9,800 I

' 17,00G 11.700 .. 5,300: 16,500 ; 11.500 ;

Employed in

science, engineering I Employed in field

Total Men ; Women Total ; Men ; Women

70,100 207,500 140.700 56.9001104.500 I 78,900 ' 25.700 84.000 64.5001. 19.500

3,400_11 0,100 11,900 5.2004_ 16.10-6 ; 6.4uu ;

1.300 ; 5,300 4,100 r-1,200 4,0004,- 3,100 9001 3.200i 2 400 800

I 300 1.700 1,400 300 1,300 1,1001 200 1 400 1 "3001

1,600 7,200 5,700 1.500 4.300 3.500 800 ; 2.800 ; 2,200 ; 600

3001 900 700 200 500 400 100 ' 200 i 100 (2)

(2)

6,800

5,300

1.500

2,200

18,000

14.300

17.800 i 11.000

12,000 ; 6.70CI

5.804 4 300

45 100 ; 43.000 49,2004_31.900 1 32,300 18.600 1

6,800 12.200 7,5001 4,700 10,800 ; 6.500 4.300

5,300 7,000 3.700 3,300 5.9601 3.0001 3.000

1,500 5.100 3.800 1 400 I 4 900 ; 3.500 1,400

2.100 140 000 F 2006.4736 57.600 1,660

7.300 25.600 16.100 5.500 18.200 ; 11,3001 6.900

3,7007-14.800 7.400 7.400 8,900 4,000/ 4,900

3.700 16.900 13.300 3.600 10.800 8,700 ,'4,

17,800 31,000-14,500.) 16.50-0-7 6500 2.700- 39.60e-80.400 , 37.506-1-- 14.700 7200

2,000 9.900' 8.100 1.9001 2,500 1,800

14,900 23.4001 9,100 14,3001 3.800 1.600

4,9001 16,100 ; 11.300 4.800; 7.900 1.100

2 100 ; 9,300 i 7.300 ; 2,000

7.500'4- 6-.000'4- 4. )00 4,u0

3.800 4.000 1 1,600 ; 2,400

700 ; 1,500 1 700 I 700

2,200 2.200

8001 1,300

900 1 1,300

900 4'400

'Excludes those enrolled lull-time on graduate school.

2 Less than 50

NOTE Detail may not to totals because of rounding Statistics generated from these data may be slightly different from those presented in the text since the

tatter were based on absolute numbers

SOURCE- National Science Foundation

9 ;

15
Table B. Selected employment characteristics of 1977 master's-degree recipients' in

science and engineering by field and sex: 1979

Field of study

Total

Total Men t Women

Employed .n

Labor force Total employed science/engineering

Total Men omen I Total? Mend Women Total -1 Men t Women

Employed in field

Total Men Women

Total

Physical

sciences

Chemistry

Physics'

astronomy

Environmental

sciences I 2.100 1,700

Other physical

sciences

Mathematical

sciences 5.700 4,200

Mathematics . 3.0001-1.900

Computer

sciences

Engineering

Life sciences

Biology. ...

Agricultural

sciences

Social sciences

Psychology

Economics

Sociology(

anthropology 2,000 I 1,000

Other social

sciences 1.900 1,500

45.300 1 35.300 I 10.000 '44.300 35.100 9.200 ! 43,400 1 34.500 8,800 1 33.000 ! 27.700

-1--- 1 -4 --* 4- -4- ----,-. ---- - -

i 1 . 4.400 1 3,500 900 I 4.200 3.400 800 4.200 3.400 . 800 , 3.700 3,100 ,

1.300T 9001 400 1.200 T 900 7 400 1- 1.200 , 900 300 1,200 8001

700 I 600 I 100 I 700 600 100' 700. 600 100 . 700 , 600

400 2.000 1,700 300 2.000 1.700 300 1,600 1.400

5.300 33.600 I 27,800 5,800

600 I 2.400 2,010 400

3001, 900 70'1 200

100 j 300 I 300 I (2)

200 I 1.100 1.0001 100

300 300 VI 300 300 (2) 300 300* 4_4(2) 200* 200 , (2)

1,500 . 5.500 4.100444_ 1.300 5,300 4.000 I 3.600 2,900 700

1.1007 3.000 1,900 1.000 2.800 I 1,8001- 1.000 1.700 1 1.2007 500

2 600 t 2.300 , 400 2,5 00 2,200 300 2 400 1 2.200 300 2.000 1.700 i 300 I ,.- --- .- - -}--- - 14.900 : 14.200 i 700 14.800 14.100 700 14.700 1 14.000 700 14,100 13,500 i 6001-

8.100 I 6.000 2.100 I 7.900 I 6.000 1.900 7.700 I 5.900 1.800 1. 5.500 L 4.200 1.200 ! 7---5.0o -. 3.500 '4._ 1.865 it 5 100 -1 3.400T 1,700-7 4,9T:10173.300T 1.600 ! 3,400 I 2.400 I 1.100 t,

I 2.800 2.600 300 , 2.800 I 2.600 L4_. 20041 2,800 2,600 i 2.000 1.800 200

i 12300 7,4064.906 ,11.900- 7,400 4.500 i 11.500I_ 7.200 4.200 6.200 Tii 4,100. 2.200

7-6:4007 3.200 3.200 t 6,2061-3.200 3.000 6,000 I 3.100 2,900 3,500 ' 2.000 I 1.500

2.000 1 1.700 200 I 2,000 1 1.700 200 ' 1.900 1 1.700 200 1.300 1.200 100

1.000 I 1.800 1.000 900 1.700 900 800 900 500 500

400 1.900 ' 1.500 400 1.900 j 1.500 400 600 600 100

. 100 loo+

' 1,100 400

3.100 I; 2.500 700

1.500

( 2 )

1.700 1 400 300

12.900 12.400 500

4.100 3,100 1.000

2.600T 1,700 900

1.500 1,400 100

5.100 '3.2001 2.000-

3.300 1,800-7 1.400

1.000 900 100

700 3001 300

300 200 l

' Excludes those enrollee dime In graduate school

Less than 50 '" NOTE Detail may not add to totals because of roundmg _Statistics generated from these data may be slightly different from those presented in the text since the

latter were based on absolute numbers.

SOURCE National Science Foundation.

16 ti
Table C. Distribution of 1977 science/engineering bachelors'-degree recipients" employed in S/E jobs by

field, sector of employment, and primary work activity: 1979

S ctor of empl...yment Primary work activity

Field of

employment

Total

number

employed

71 -1 I

I Non I

; Bus., I Educ. ; profit Fed. ;

, Ind. ! instits. 1 orgs. Govt. I

I State; I I ; local I 1 Mgt., Prod.: 1

govts. I Other ! R&D I admin 'Teaching inspec. ; Rep.

stat., I comp. : advs. ! Sales,

prof. servs. Other

Total

Physical sciences

Mathematical

sciences

Engineering

Life sciences

Social sciences 1

104.500

10.500

17.900

46.800

19,600

9.700

69.800:4_ 7.600 1 t;" 7.600 1 800 1: 13.000 ; 1,300

39.600 I 1.100

8.500 3,800 I

, 1,200 600 1

2.900

200

800

200

500

1,200

8.200 j!

1,000 ! 1 000 I

1 2,800 ! 2.500 ,

I 900 !

9.500'

700 !

900 , 1,800

2.200

3,800 ,

6.603 1 34.400 : 300 4.500 "

, 900 1 3,400 I

1,300 I 19.000 I 2.200 : 6.100 I

1,900 : 1.400 i

10,000

900

. 600

3,900;

2,700!

1.900,

5.500

700'

400

1.2001

700:

2,500,

24,000

2.500

700 ;

14.200

6.100 I

500

21,300

1.300 1 1

11,800 I 5.500

1,500

1.200

6.300

400

200

1,900

2.100

1,800

2.800

200

900

1,000

400

300

' Excluding those enrolled full time in graduate school. NOTE: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding

Less than 50 cases. SOURCE National Science Foundation

Table D. Distribution of 1977 science/engineering master's-degree recipients' employed in SIE jobs by field,

sector of employment, and primary work activity: 1979

Sector of e:nptoyment Primary work activity

Rep.:

Total ! Non- I I State/ stat.; Sales!

Field of

employment

number

employed

BUS.'

Ind.

Educ.

instils.

profit j orgs.

Fed. i local I Govt. govts. : Other R&D

Mgt.,

admin Teaching

Prod;

inspec.

comp.

activs.

\ prof. servs. Other

Total 33 000 15,B00 5,700

!1- 1,100 3.900 1 3.000 2.700 .._ 12.100 -. 4,900 3.300 3 900 5.700 1,700 -1.500

Physical sciences 3.600 1,600 700 100 500 1 500 100 1.700 400 4001 500 500 (2) (2)

Mathematical

sciences. 4,900 3,000 . BOO : 100 600 I 100 200 1,200 300 500 200 2.500 (2) 100

Engineering .. 14,600 10.500 ; 800 ! 300 1,400 900 800 6,700 2.600 500 2.500 1,600 (2) 900

Life sciences 4,600 1,200 : 1.600 100 700 500 400 1,700 1,000 500 500 400 200 200

Social sciences ... 5,400 500 1.800 500 600 900 1.200 700 600 1,400 200 700 L600 300

' Excluding those enrolled full time in graduate school NOTE Detail may not add to totals because of rounding

Less than 50 cases SOURCE Nauonal te ce Foundation

9.t)

17
Table E. Median annual salaries of 1977 science/engineering baccalaureate

recipients' by field of degree and S/E employment status: 1979

Field of

degree Total

Total employed

Men Women

Science/engineering

employed

Total Men Women

Non-science,

engineering employed

Total Men Women

Total .*7

Physical sciences

Chemistry

Physics/

astronomy

Enviromental

sciences

Other physical

sciences

Mathematical

sciences

Mathematics

Computer sciences

Engineering

Life sciences

Biology

Agricultural

sciences

Social sciences sciences

Psychology

Economics

Sociology/

anthropology

Other social

sciences

14.100

14,200

14,100

15,100

13.600

(2)

16.000

14,600

18,100

18,900

12,000

11,600

12,20.0

12.000

11,600

15,000

11,000

12,900

i

:

..._

i

15.300

14,300

14,200

15.100

14,100

( 2)

16.300

15,000

18,600

18,900

12.200

12.100

12.800

13..000

.12,200

15,300

12,000

13,000

... 11,500. 13,600

13,700

(2)

12,100

(2)

15.100

14,400

(7)

19.200

11:200

11,400

10,200

10,500

11,100

(2)

10,100

11.200

.

4

'

-

16.300

14.7C0

14,500

15,500 l 14,500

( 2)

17,100

16,400

16,600

1E.900

12,000

11,200

12.400

12,000

10,400

(2)

11,200

(2)

17 100

14,700

14,500

15.400

14,600

( 2)

17.200

16,800

18:900

18.900

12:410000 12 900

11,300.

10,100

(2)

(2)

(2)

!

'

13,200

14,500

14,500

(2)

(2)

(2)

16,500

16,200

(2)

19,300

11,100

11,100

10,600

1t,100

11,100

(2)

(2)

(2)

12.100

12.100

11,600

(2)

12,200

(2)

11.300

11.100

( 2)

18.900

12,100

12,100

12.200

12,000

12,000

14,800

10,800

13,000

13.100

12.200

12,100

(2)

12,900

(2)

12,100

11.600

(2)

k ' 18,900

12,500

12.200

12.600

13,300

13,200

15,100

12,100

13,400

:.

'

10,500

(2)

( 2)

10.200

( 2)

10,700

10,700

(2)

(2)

11,600

11,700

9,100

10,300

11,000

(2)

10,100

9,400

' Excludes individuals enrolled full-pre in graduate NOTE: Median annual salaries computed only for

school. full -time employed civilians.

2 No median computed for groups with less than 20 SOURCE: National Science Foundation

respondents.

9

18
Table F. Median annual salaries of 1977 science/engineering masters'- degree recipients' by field of study

and S/E employment status: 1979

Field of study Total

Total employed

Men Women

Science, engineering

employed

Total Men Wom( 1

Non-science/engineering

employed

Total Men Women

Total

Physical sciences

Chemistry

Physics/

astronomy

Environmental

sciences

Other\physical

sciences

MathematiCal

sciences

Mathematics

Computer sciences

Engineering

Life sciences

Biology

Agricultural

sciences

Social sciences

Psychology

Economics

Sociology,'

anthropology

Other social

sciences

18,900

19,000

16,900

19,100

19,100

(2. )

19.300

16,900

24,200

22,300

14,800

14,800

14.800

16,000

14,400

18.800

16,000

-17,300

19,500

, 19,300

19.500

i 19,400

! 19,300

(2)

i__. . "

-20.21V0

18,100

24,200

22.300

14,900

1'5,000

14.800

17.200

15,200

18,900

18,000

17.500

1

7

:t.

14,900

16,200

(2)

(2)

16,400

(.2)

16.900

16,200

(2)

20,300

13.300

13,400

(2)

13.600

13.500

(2)

(2)

-(2)

19,400

. _ . 19,300

19,100

19,200

19,900

(2)

20,300

18,600

24.100

22,200

15.200

15,500

14,900

16.200

14,100

19.100

(2)

(2)

7 20,100

.,,..,,,

'19.500

19,600

19,200

20,300

(2)

20.400

19,200

24.100

22.200

15.500

16,200

15.000

17,000

15,000

19,100

(2)

(2)

i--

15.300

16.800

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

17,400

(2)

(2)

19.800

13.300.

13.600

(2)

13.000

12,600

(2)

(2)

(.2)

l

!

15.000

16,100

(2)

(2).

(2)

(2)

.16,000

14,300

(2)

' (2)

13,300

12,200

14,400

15.100

14,900

(2)

13,600

17,400

,.

1,000 . 16.900

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

16,100

14,800

(2)

(2)

13,300

12,200

14.400. . 16,500--

16.200

(2)

(2)

(2)

14,200

(2)

(

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

14,300

14,400

(2)

(2)

(')

' Excludes individuals enrolled full time in graduate

school

No median computed for groups with less than 20

respondents

NOTE Median salaries computed only for full time

employed civilians.

SOURCE National Science Foundation

19
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1979 81-

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1977

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