Division of Science Resources Studies

Directorate for Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences

National Science Foundation NSF 95-336

John Tsapogas, Project Officer

Special Report

Federal

Scientists

and

Engineers:

1989-93
Suggested Citation

National Science Foundation, Federal Scientists and Engineers: 1989-93, NSF 95-336 (Arlington, VA, 1995).

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ii
FOREWORD

This report has two main objectives: (1) it

draws together general and statistical information

that shed light on the character and status of

Federal scientists and engineers by presenting a

new body of statistical data, and (2) it examines

the data to determine the character of Federal

scientific and engineering employment over the

1989-93 period.

The report is divided into eight sections and

provides a descriptive analysis of various characteristics of Federal scientists and engineers,

including the agency of employment, primary

work activity, educational

attainment, age, salary, and geographic patterns of

the Federal science and engineering (S&E) workforce.

Finally, the report presents data on Federal scientists

and engineers based on a new occupational classification system developed within the National Science

Foundation's Division of Science Resources Studies on

the U.S. science and engineering workforce. The new

system allows our readers to compare data on the occupations of Federal scientists and engineers with occupational data collected from other NSF surveys of the

U.S. science and engineering workforce.

vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

provided by Dr. Kenneth M. Brown, Director, Division of Science Resources Studies.

The data used in this report were prepared from

data collected on the Federal civilian workforce by the

Office of Workforce Information, Office of Personnel

Management, with valuable support provided by

Christine Steele.

This report was developed within the Division of

Science Resources Studies by John Tsapogas, Senior

Science Resources Analyst, Science and Engineering

Personnel Program (PER), with the assistance of

Simone Keith, Statistical Administrative Assistant,

under the direction of Dr. Carlos Kruytbosch, Program Director, PER. Guidance and review were

ix
CONTENTS

Section Page

Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... xiii

Section 1. Employment of Federal Scientists and Engineers ...................................................... 1

Levels and Trends ..................................................................................................... 1

Mobility .................................................................................................................... 1

Comparisons With Other Sectors.............................................................................. 2

Section 2. Character of Federal Science and Engineering Employment ..................................... 5

Employment Growth ................................................................................................. 5

Work Activities ......................................................................................................... 6

Work Activity by Major Agency............................................................................... 6

Department of Defense ................................................................................. 6

Department of Agriculture ............................................................................ 6

Department of the Interior ............................................................................ 7

National Aeronautics and Space Administration .......................................... 7

Section 3. Educational Attainment of Federal Scientists and Engineers.................................... 9

Field of Highest Degree ............................................................................................ 9

Highest Degree Level ................................................................................................ 9

Section 4. Age Profiles............................................................................................................... 11

Section 5. Salaries...................................................................................................................... 13

Section 6. Women and Minorities .............................................................................................. 15

Women15

Levels and Trends......................................................................................... 15

Primary Work Activities ............................................................................... 15

Minorities.................................................................................................................. 15

Levels and Trends......................................................................................... 15

Primary Work Activities ............................................................................... 16

Section 7. Geographic Patterns in the Employment of Federal Scientists and Engineers ........... 17

Section 8. Federal Scientists and Engineers Employed in nonscience/nonengineering

occupations ............................................................................................................... 19

Appendixes

A. Technical Notes...................................................................................................................... 23

B. Detailed Statistical Tables...................................................................................................... 33

xi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Employment of Federal scientists and engineers rose

from 185,623 in 1989 to 196,908 in 1993, 6.1 percent

growth. U.S. scientists and engineers employed in

science and engineering (S&E) jobs increased an

estimated 10.6 percent. Overall U.S. civilian employment during 1989-93 increased by 1.7 percent. In

1989, the Federal S&E workforce consisted of 89,530

scientists and 96,093 engineers. By 1993, scientists

(101,348) surpassed engineers (95,560).

During 1989-93, among Federal scientists, social

scientists had the largest increase (17.8 percent),

followed by life scientists (16.6 percent), computer

and mathematical scientists (15.4 percent), and

physical scientists (3.9 percent). Overall employment

of engineers decreased by 0.6 percent during this

period. Among the major engineering occupational

groups, the employment change ranged from a

decrease of

21.3 percent for industrial engineers to an increase of

4.0 percent for electrical, electronics, and computer

engineers.

Over the 1989-93 period, the change in Federal

S&E employment varied by agency. The largest

decrease during the period occurred within the

Department of Defense (DOD), where S&E employment decreased by 2.2 percent. In 1993, 46.8 percent

of all Federal scientists and engineers were employed

by DOD, down from 50.7 percent in 1989. Declining

defense spending during 1989-93 paralleled a decrease of S&E employment at DOD. The 4-year

employment growth for all other agencies (excluding

DOD) was 14.6 percent.

The distribution of work activities of Federal

scientists and engineers changed during 1989-93.

Scientists and engineers employed in primary work

activities associated with defense functions decreased

during the period. Scientists and engineers decreased

their activities involving design; installation, operations, and maintenance; planning; production; construction; and standards and specifications. Primary

work activities showing increasing importance in

Federal scientific and engineering employment during

1989-93 included clinical practice, counseling, and

ancillary medical practice; teaching and training;

scientific and technical information; regulatory

enforcement or licensing; natural resource operations;

and technical assistance and consulting. Employment

of scientists and engineers engaged in research and

development showed slow growth throughout the

period, but R&D continued to be the largest work

activities for the Federal S&E workforce.

The average age of Federal scientists and engineers

increased slightly during 1989-93. In 1989, 25.1

percent of the scientists employed by the Federal

Government were under the age of 35 and 10.6

percent were 55 or older. By 1993, 22.6 percent of

the scientists were under the age of 35 and 11.5

percent were 55 or older. Further, in 1989, 42.1

percent of the engineers were under the age of 35 and

11.5 percent were 55 or older. In 1993, however,

only 38.3 percent of the engineers were under the age

of 35 and 12.9 percent were 55 or older. Federal

scientists and engineers employed in development or

design work were likely to be younger than those

employed in research.

The number of female scientists and engineers

employed in the Federal Government increased by

27.3 percent between 1989 and 1993, from 29,328 to

37,341. By contrast, the number of male scientists

and engineers grew by only 2 percent over the same

period. Despite higher growth for women, in 1993

women accounted for only 27.3 percent of all scientists and 10.1 percent of all engineers (up from 23.6

percent and 8.6 percent in 1989, respectively).

The number of Federal scientists and engineers who

are members of ethnic/racial minority groups rose

18.3 percent between 1989 and 1993, from 26,052 to

30,810. Most of this increase represents growth in

the numbers of Asians, which rose from 9,866 to

11,930, or 20.9 percent, during the period. Black

scientists and engineers increased by 15.1 percent and

Native Americans grew 34.4 percent. Hispanics

showed a 19.9-percent increase, rising from 5,331 in

1989 to 6,394 in 1993.

The median annual base salaries of Federal scientists and engineers increased 21.9 percent, from

$41,100 to $50,100, during 1989-93. By contrast,

the average annual weekly earnings in private

nonagricultural establishments rose only 12 percent

during the same period.1 The median salaries for

1

 U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the

United States: 1994 (114th edition), Washington, DC, 1994, p.

420.

xiii
than those for scientists, and the rise in salaries for

engineers (24.5%) outpaced that for scientists

(19.1%).

The South Atlantic Region2 led the country in the

number of Federal scientists and engineers: 36 percent

of the Nation’s federally employed scientists and

engineers worked in this region (mostly in Maryland

and the District of Columbia, which accounted for

2 See table 12 for listing of States within the regions identified

in this section.

31.5 percent and 24.6 percent of the region’s total,

respectively). The Pacific Region was the secondlargest region, with 16 percent of the total number of

Federal scientists and engineers (almost 62.7 percent

of the region’s Federal scientists and engineers work

in California). By contrast, New England was the

smallest region, with 3.8 percent of the Federal S&E

total. Massachusetts accounted for 44.2 percent of all

Federal scientists and engineers in New England.

xiv
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF FEDERAL SCIENTISTS AND

ENGINEERS

Table 1. Federal scientists and engineers by major occupational group: 1989-93

Occupation 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

 

Total, All S&E occupations......................................................................................................... 185,623 189,049 194,726 198,853 196,908 

All scientists......................................................................................................... 89,530 92,467 96,919 101,006 101,348

 Computer & mathematical scientists.............................................................. 25,737 26,725 28,210 29,371 29,691

 Life scientists.......................................................................................... 23,082 24,009 25,280 26,765 26,920

 Physical scientists............................................................................................. 23,204 23,725 24,140 24,427 24,118

 Social scientists............................................................................................... 17,507 18,008 19,289 20,443 20,619

All engineers......................................................................................................... 96,093 96,582 97,807 97,847 95,560

 Aerospace engineers......................................................................................................... 8,433 8,624 8,777 8,584 8,330

 Chemical engineers.................................................................................................................. 1,503 1,413 1,344 1,311 1,245

 Civil engineers............................................................................................................................ 13,945 13,621 13,357 13,231 12,874

 Electrical,electronics & computer engineers..................................................................... 31,121 31,899 32,753 32,955 32,374

 Industrial engineers................................................................................................................... 3,463 3,419 3,173 3,016 2,725

 Mechanical engineers.................................................................................................................. 12,186 11,787 11,763 11,532 11,159

 Other engineers.................................................................................................. 25,442 25,819 26,640 27,218 26,853

All other major occupational groups in engineering

decreased, with the largest decline being among industrial engineers (21.3 percent).

MOBILITY

Data on the mobility of scientists and engineers in the

Federal Government are not available. However, if we

examine the proportion of those employed in an occupational group who also held their highest degree in a field

related to their occupational group, we can infer some

conclusions concerning mobility.

If an occupational group has a large portion of

employees holding their highest degree in a field

The relatively small increase in Federal science and

engineering employment was part of the modest increase in overall Federal employment. Federal fulltime civilian white collar employees, which include

Federal scientists and engineers, increased by only 1.2

percent. In 1993 the number of scientists (101,348)

surpassed the number of engineers (95,560). Scientists accounted for 48.2 percent of the Federal scientific and engineering workforce in 1989, gradually increasing to 51.5 percent in 1993. Among scientists,

social scientists grew the most (17.8 percent).

Growth in two other major scientific occupational series was also high—life scientists increased by 16.6

percent, and computer and mathematical scientists increased by 15.4 percent. Physical scientists showed

the lowest growth, 3.9 percent.

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files

LEVELS AND TRENDS

Employment of Federal scientists and engineers

increased from 185,623 in 1989 to 196,908 in 1993,

or by 6.1 percent. Over the same period all U.S.

scientists and engineers employed in S&E jobs

increased an estimated 10.6 percent. Overall U.S.

civilian employment during 1989-93 increased by 1.7

percent (table 1).

Employment trends of the various engineering

occupational series were generally negative. Overall

employment of engineers decreased by 0.6 percent

during 1989-93. Only one major engineering occupational group enjoyed employment growth during the

period of analysis—electrical, electronics, and

computer engineers, which increased by 4 percent.

1
similar to the field of the occupational group, it may

mean that entry into the group is rigid and dependent

on the field of degree. Conversely, a lower proportion

indicates that entry is flexible and that educational

training in one of a variety of degree fields is acceptable for entry.

Across most scientific and engineering occupations

in the Federal Government, a large portion of those

employed in a particular field also hold their degree in

that field. In 1993, 72 percent of scientists employed

in the Federal Government had their highest degree in

a scientific discipline, whereas 86.3 percent of the engineers had their highest degree in engineering (table

2). In two occupational categories, fewer than

61 percent of Federal scientists and engineers had

their highest degree in a field corresponding to their

occupational field. The occupations include computer

and mathematical scientists (41.2 percent) and social

scientists (60.3 percent). In 1993 a significant proportion of computer and mathematical scientists (11

percent) had their highest degree in one of the social

sciences and a large proportion had degrees in nonS&E fields (35.7 percent). A large proportion of those

working as social scientists had their highest degree in

non-S&E fields (34.8 percent).

COMPARISONS WITH OTHER

SECTORS

The proportion of all U.S. scientists and engineers

employed by the Federal Government is small and

declining. In 1989 7.3 percent of all scientists and

engineers were employed by the Federal Government,

with the proportion decreasing to 7.0 percent in 1993

(table 3). However, the growth in the number of

Federal scientists and engineers (6.1 percent) is higher

than that for all Federal civilian white collar employees (1.2 percent). The growth in employment of R&D

scientists and engineers (2.3 percent) did not keep

pace with the growth for all Federal scientists and

engineers (6.1 percent).

Table 2. Proportion of Federal scientists and

engineers whose occupational group is the same as

their field of degree: 1993

Occupation Percent

 1989 1993

 All S&E occupations............................................................................................. 85.2 84.1 

 All scientists............................................................................................. 73.0 72.0 

 Computer & mathematical scientists.............................................................. 40.3 41.2 

 Life scientists.......................................................................................... 75.3 72.2 

 Physical scientists............................................................................................. 69.8 69.2 

 Social scientists............................................................................................... 59.9 60.3 

 All engineers........................................................................................................ 86.2 86.3 

 Aerospace engineers............................................................................................. 86.2 87.4 

 Chemical engineers.............................................................................................. 88.3 87.2 

 Civil engineers..................................................................................................... 93.5 92.7 

 Electrical, electronics & computer 

 engineers........................................ 84.5 84.6 

 Industrial engineers.............................................................................................. 75.7 83.0 

 Mechanical engineers............................................................................................ 92.3 91.8 

 Other engineers.................................................................................................. 82.7 83.0 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of

Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files

In 1989 research or development was the primary

work activity of 27 percent of all Federal scientists

and engineers. By 1993 this percentage had decreased

slightly, to 26 percent. Federal support for research

and development is one of the most important factors

affecting Federal Government employment of scientists and engineers. During the period covered in this

report there was a significant increase reported in the

Federal R&D intramural budget—the actual intramural performance of R&D supported by Federal

agencies. But although the Federal intramural R&D

budget grew by 10 percent, the growth amounted to a

very small increase when adjusted for inflation.

2
SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files, except as noted

1 Compiled from data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from The Occupatuional Employment Matrix. Data were not available for

off numbered years and have been interpolated from even numbered years. The Occupational Employment Matrix data mearsure the

number of jobs in the economy, not the number of people holding those jobs. Postsecondary teachers of science and engineering are

not included in the data.

2

The data include all civilian full-time, white-collar employees working for the Federal Government.

3

Excludes the U.S. Postal Service

4 Data obtained from The Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1994, page 395.

Table 3. Comparison of Federal scientific and engineering employment with other 

demographic and economic variables: 1989-93

Year

Federal 

scientists 

and 

engineers 

Federal 

R&D 

scientists 

and 

engineers

U.S. scientists 

and 

engineers 

(thousands)1

Federal civilian 

white-collar 

employment 2, 3

U.S. civilian 

employment 

(thousands)4

U.S. labor 

force 

(thousands)4

Noninstitution

al population 

(thousands)4

Federal R&D 

obligations 

(millions of 

dollars)

Federal "R&D 

intramural 

obligations 

(millions of 

dollars)

1989 185,623 50,033 2,534 1,775,658 117,342 125,557 188,081 61,407 15,121 

1990 189,049 50,571 2,652 1,791,875 117,914 126,424 189,686 63,688 16,003 

1991 194,726 49,270 2,679 1,832,403 116,877 126,867 191,329 61,295 15,238 

1992 198,853 52,545 2,706 1,831,286 117,598 128,548 193,142 70,368 16,635 

1993 196,908 51,199 2,802 1,797,289 119,306 129,525 195,034 71,445 16,643 
SECTION 2. CHARACTER OF FEDERAL SCIENCE AND

ENGINEERING EMPLOYMENT

In this section we examine the number of employed

Federal scientists and engineers by agency and work

activity, with emphasis on the agencies with the largest

number of Federal scientists and engineers. Research,

development, and design, together with data collection, processing and analysis, and natural resource

operations are the major work activities of Federal

scientists and engineers. In 1993, the Department of

Defense (DOD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture,

the Department of the Interior, and the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration employed

almost three-quarters of all Federal scientists and

engineers. Work activity and agency of employment

are indicators of the character of the Federal science

and technology establishment. Whereas the overall

number of Federal scientists and engineers increased,

their numbers declined in the defense agencies and

increased in most nondefense agencies. This shift

resulted in a decrease in the number of scientists and

engineers engaged in defense R&D.

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

During 1989-93, employment of scientists and engineers in DOD decreased by 2.2 percent. All other

agencies increased by 14.1 percent. Within DOD the

number of Federal scientists and engineers employed

in the Department of Army decreased by 4.7 percent,

followed by the Navy (-3.6 percent), and the Air

Force (-1.3 percent). Other Defense agencies, which

account for a smaller portion of DOD’s share of

Federal scientists and engineers, increased significantly

(34.8 percent) (table 4).

The large DOD decrease reflected weakened

demand within DOD for engineers and scientists to

work on various defense-related activities (e.g.

research; design; production; and installation,

operations, and maintenance). Despite the decrease

in the number of scientists and engineers at DOD

during 1989-93, DOD continued to maintain the

largest share of Federal S&E human resources.

Most nondefense agencies, such as the Departments

of Commerce, Energy, Health and Human Services,

Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Justice,

Table 4. Employment change and five year growth 

rate of Federal scientists and engineers, by 

selected agency: 1993

Agency 5-Year Employment

growth rate change

 TOTAL....................................................................................... 6.1 % 11,285 

Department of Agriculture........................................................................................ 5.3 % 889 

Department of Commerce........................................................................................ 12.8 % 998 

Department of Defense............................................................................................- 2.2 % - 2,031 

 Department of the Army.......................................................................................- 4.7 % - 1,657 

 Department of the Navy.......................................................................................- 3.6 % - 1,426 

 Department of the Air Force................................................................................- 1.3 % - 221 

 Other Defense Agencies...................................................................................... 34.8 % 1,273 

Department of Energy............................................................................................. 33.7 % 1,294 

Department of HHS................................................................................................ 18.4 % 1,493 

Department of HUD............................................................................................... 12.8 % 50 

Department of the Interior....................................................................................... 13.5 % 1,604 

Department of Justice.............................................................................................. 63.6 % 1,004 

Department of Labor............................................................................................... 13.2 % 250 

Department of State............................................................................................... 18.2 % 524 

Department of Transportation................................................................................... 19.3 % 882 

Department of the Treasury...................................................................................... 37.6 % 945 

Department of Veterans Affairs................................................................................ 21.7 % 954 

Environmental Protection Agency.............................................................................. 24.0 % 1,558 

General Services Administration................................................................................ 32.0 % 237 

NASA................................................................................................................... 4.2 % 504 

National Science Foundation....................................................................................- 13.0 % - 49 

Nuclear Regulatory Commission............................................................................... 9.3 % 136 

US Intl Development Coop Agency...........................................................................- 19.7 % - 115 

All other agencies................................................................................................... 5.0 % 158 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of

Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files

Labor, State, Treasury, Transportation, Veterans

Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, and

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, showed higher

than average growth during 1989-93.

The relative importance of each agency in providing employment opportunities for scientists and

engineers varied significantly. In 1993, the Department of Defense employed 66.9 percent of all Federal

engineers but only 27.9 percent of all Federal scientists. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the

second-largest employer of Federal scientists and

engineers, employed 15.3 percent of all Federal

scientists and 2.3 percent of all Federal engineers. The

agencies with the largest populations of Federal

scientists and engineers are discussed in the agency

sections that follow.
less likely to be employed in activities such as research, design, management, planning, data collection

processing and analysis, standards and specifications,

production, and construction, and more likely to be

employed in activities such as development; test and

evaluation; regulatory enforcement and licensing;

clinical practice, counseling, and ancillary medical

services; and scientific and technical information.

Department of Agriculture

Employment of Federal scientists and engineers at

USDA reached 17,764 in 1993, or 9 percent of all

Federal scientists and engineers. This number was up

from 16,875 and represents an increase of 5.3 percent. The growth was accompanied by some shifts in

both occupational groups and work activities. For

instance, as a proportion of total science and engineering employment at USDA, the number of scientists

increased from 86.4 percent in 1989 to 87.5 percent in

1993.

The occupational distribution of scientists and engineers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

changed over the 4-year period covered in this report.

The growth of USDA scientists was 6.6 percent,

whereas engineers decreased by 3.0 percent. Among

the individual occupational series, computer and

mathematical scientists showed the most rapid growth

(23.8 percent), followed by electrical, electronics, and

computer engineers (23.7 percent), and social scientists (8.7 percent). Notably slower growth was recorded by life scientists (5.9 percent) and chemical engineers (5.3 percent). Decreases in employment were

recorded for civil engineers (5.9 percent), physical

scientists (4.0 percent), and mechanical engineers (2.6

percent).

Work activities of scientists and engineers employed

at USDA shifted during 1989-93. Scientists and

engineers employed at USDA were less likely to be

employed in research, design, planning, technical

assistance and consulting, and construction and more

likely to be employed in development; test and evaluation; management; installation, operations and maintenance; and natural resource operations. Natural

resource operations was the largest primary work

activity (51.8 percent of all USDA scientists and

engineers in 1993). During 1989-93 the number of

scientists and engineers at USDA engaged in this

work activity increased by 10.2 percent.

WORK ACTIVITIES

Scientists and engineers employed in primary work

activities associated with defense programs decreased

more rapidly than those employed in nondefense work

activities during 1989-93. The proportion of Federal

scientists and engineers engaged in development decreased slightly, from 15.5 percent in 1989 to

15.0 percent in 1993. The proportion employed in

design activities decreased from 8.2 percent in 1989

to 7.2 percent in 1993, whereas those engaged in

installation, operations, and maintenance decreased

from 6.2 percent in 1989 to 5.8 percent in 1993. Test

and evaluation; technical assistance and consulting;

regulatory enforcement or licensing; clinical practice,

counseling, and ancillary medical service; and

scientific and technical information all increased in

relative importance during 1989-93. Nevertheless,

research (11 percent) and development (15 percent)

activities continued to be the major work activities of

Federal scientists and engineers in 1993 (appendix

table B-2).

WORK ACTIVITIES BY MAJOR

AGENCIES

Changes in primary work activities reflect shifts in

employment and work activity patterns within

individual agencies. To better understand activities

within the Federal sector, we examine the agencies

with the largest number of scientists and engineers.

Department of Defense

The number of scientists and engineers employed at

DOD decreased during 1989-93. This drop was

accompanied by significant decreases in certain

occupational groups and certain primary work activities.

Over the 4-year period, employment of engineers at

DOD decreased while that for scientists increased.

The occupations with the highest growth included life

scientists (30.9 percent), social scientists (11.2 percent),

and computer and mathematical scientists (4.8 percent).

All engineering occupations showed decreases except

for electrical, electronics, and computer engineers,

which showed a small increase during the period.

There was a slight shift in the primary work activities of DOD scientists and engineers over the period

1989-93. In general, those employed in 1993 were
Department of the Interior

The number of scientists and engineers employed at

the Department of the Interior increased by 13.5 percent

during 1989-93, from 11,846 in 1989 to 13,450 in

1993. There were also some shifts in the occupational

mix and the work activities of those employed. The

scientists and engineers at Interior made up approximately 6.8 percent of all Federal scientists and engineers in 1993, up from 6.4 percent in 1989.

Excluding chemical engineers, all major occupational

series increased in number at the U.S. Department of

the Interior over the 4-year period covered in this

report. Scientists increased by 16.7 percent, whereas

engineers increased by a lower amount, 2.8 percent.

Among individual occupational series, life scientists

showed the most rapid growth (31.8 percent), followed by computer and mathematical scientists (29.8

percent), social scientists (19.9 percent), industrial

engineers (13.3 percent), and mechanical engineers

(12.9 percent). Notably slower growth was recorded

by physical scientists (2.0 percent), civil engineers

(3.6 percent), and electrical, electronics, and computer

engineers (7.5 percent). Negative growth was recorded for chemical engineers (8.2 percent).

There was a shift in the primary work activities of

scientists and engineers employed at Interior during

1989-93. Those employed in 1993 were more likely

to be engaged in activities such as natural resource

operations, technical assistance and consulting,

development, management, planning, scientific and

technical information, research, construction, and test

and evaluation.

The largest number of scientists and engineers at

Interior were engaged in natural resource operations,

and they increased by 33.5 percent during 1989-93.

In 1993, 18.3 percent of Interior’s scientific and

engineering workforce was conducting research, down

from 19.2 percent in 1989. This portion of Interior’s

workforce experienced moderate growth between

1989 and 1993 (7.8 percent). The next largest group

was employed in data collection, processing, and

analysis. In 1993 there were 2,200 scientists and

engineers at Interior in this category, up from 2,029 in

1989, representing an increase of 8.4 percent. Scientists and engineers in planning accounted for only 6.2

percent of Interior’s S&E workforce and decreased by

5.6 percent during 1989-93.

National Aeronautics and Space

Administration

The number of scientists and engineers employed at

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA) increased slightly during 1989-93. Despite

low employment growth, there were some shifts in the

occupational mix and the work activities of those employed. The number of scientists and engineers employed at NASA grew by 504 employees, from

11,920 in 1989 to 12,424 in 1993. The scientists and

engineers at NASA made up approximately 6.3 percent of all Federal scientists and engineers in 1993,

down from 6.4 percent in 1989. During 1989-93 the

number of scientists decreased by 1.2 percent and that

of engineers increased by 5 percent. Among the individual occupational series, industrial engineers

showed the most rapid growth (30.8 percent), followed by life scientists (24.5 percent) and electrical,

electronics, and computer engineers (7.6 percent).

Notably slower growth was recorded for physical scientists (4.1 percent), aerospace engineers (2.1 percent),

and mechanical engineers (1.5 percent). Negative

growth was recorded for civil engineers (37.5 percent), computer and mathematical scientists (14.3 percent), and chemical engineers (3.8 percent).

There was a shift in the primary work activities of

scientists and engineers employed at NASA during

1989-93. Those in 1993 were more likely to be

employed in management, design, research, and

development work, and less likely to be employed in

most other activities.

The largest number of scientists and engineers at

NASA were engaged in development; they increased

their numbers by 4.8 percent. The next largest group

(2,324) was employed in research, up very slightly

from the number in 1989 (2,306). In 1993, 10.8

percent of NASA’s scientific and engineering

workforce was classified in management. This

portion of NASA’s workforce grew rapidly; the

increase from 1989 to 1993 was 12.9 percent. Employment growth in all other activities (planning;

standards and specifications; scientific and technical

information; installation, operations, and maintenance; data collection, processing, and analysis; and

technical assistance and consulting) declined during

1989-93.
SECTION 3. EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF FEDERAL

SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

FIELD OF HIGHEST DEGREE

The most common highest-degree field among all

Federal scientists and engineers was engineering. In

1993 approximately 44 percent of all Federal scientists

and engineers had obtained a highest degree in engineering (table 5). Life sciences was the second most

common highest degree field among Federal scientists

and engineers (12.5 percent) followed by physical

HIGHEST DEGREE LEVEL

In 1993, 10.6 percent of all Federal scientists and

engineers had acquired a Ph.D. degree as their highest

degree, 25.1 percent a master’s degree, and 63.4 percent

a bachelor’s degree (table 6). These ratios remained

fairly steady and were approximately the same ratios

evident in all years of the 1989-93 period covered in

this report. In 1993 the most Ph.D.-intensive occupaTable 5. Federal scientists and engineers, by highest degree field: 1989-1993

 

Highest degree field 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

 

 Total........................................................................................................ 185,623 189,049 194,726 198,853 196,908 

 Physical sciences............................................................................ 21,501 21,867 22,053 22,263 21,914 

 Computer & mathematical sciences.............................................. 13,505 14,218 14,931 15,474 15,591 

 Life sciences............................................................................................... 22,108 22,850 23,711 24,738 24,541 

 Social sciences.................................................................................. 14,773 15,333 16,403 17,294 17,315 

 Engineering................................................................................................. 86,270 87,288 88,325 88,378 86,177 

 Non-science/non-engineering..................................................................... 25,668 27,042 28,713 30,161 30,662 

 No report....................................................................................................... 1,798 451 590 545 708 

 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data

science (11.1 percent), social science (8.8 percent),

and computer and mathematical sciences (7.9 percent).

Among Federal scientists, the most common highestdegree field in 1993 was life sciences (23.9 percent),

followed by physical sciences (18.3 percent) and

computer and mathematical sciences (12.9 percent).

The most prevalent highest degree among Federal

engineers was the engineering degree (86.3 percent),

followed by the physical sciences degree (3.5 percent).

tional group among Federal S&Es was physical

scientists, 27.8 percent of whom had a Ph.D. as their

highest degree. Other Federal S&E occupational

groups with high levels of Ph.D.s included life

scientists (21.2 percent) and social scientists

(19.7 percent).

Table 6. Federal scientists and engineers, 

by highest degree level: 1989-93

 

Highest degree level 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

 

 

 

 Total, All S&E occupations....................................................... 185,623 189,049 194,726 198,853 196,908 

 Ph.D...................................................................................................... 19,273 19,758 20,461 21,100 20,888 

 MS/MA................................................................................................ 43,208 44,509 46,620 48,453 49,495 

 BS/BA..................................................................................................... 121,628 123,194 125,976 127,594 124,862 

 Professional.......................................................................................... 1,514 1,588 1,669 1,706 1,663 

 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files
SECTION 4. AGE PROFILES

The average age of the Federal science and engineering (S&E) workforce increased over the 1989-93

period. In 1989, 25.1 percent of the scientists employed by the Federal Government were under the age

of 35 and 10.6 percent were 55 years of age or older

(table 7). By 1993, 22.6 percent of the scientists were

under the age of 35 and 11.4 percent were 55 years of

age or older. In 1989, 42.1 percent of the engineers

in development; design; installation, operations, and

maintenance; test and evaluation; and production are

more likely to be younger than those employed in

research. This trend intensified during the period

covered in this report. Of the Federal S&E workforce

under the age of 35 in 1989, 24.5 percent were engaged

in research work; 42.6 percent in development work;

and 41.4 percent in design work (table 8). In 1993,

Table 7. Federal scientists and engineers, by age and 

occupational group: 1993

1989 1993

 Age Scientists Engineers Scientists Engineers

 TOTAL................................................... 89,530 96,093 101,348 95,560 

 Under 35 years............................................ 22,440 40,421 22,868 36,606 

 35-39 years............................................... 16,886 11,104 17,034 13,406 

 40-49 years............................................... 31,002 22,866 36,772 22,925 

 50-54 years............................................... 9,702 10,233 13,067 10,334 

 55-56 years............................................... 2,664 3,066 3,409 3,341 

 57-59 years............................................... 3,187 3,665 3,678 3,689 

 60-61 years............................................... 1,395 1,655 1,655 1,879 

 62 years & over......................................... 2,252 3,083 2,862 3,378 

 No report................................................. 2 - 3 2 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data

were under the age of 35 and 11.9 percent were 55

years of age or older. In 1993, however, 38.3 percent

of engineers were under the age of 35 and 12.9

percent were 55 years of age or older.

An analysis of age profiles by selected work activity

reveals that Federal scientists and engineers employed

these same proportions were 21.4 percent, 40.2 percent,

and 35.3 percent, respectively. As expected, the

proportion of Federal S&Es working in management

under the age of 35 was small (12.8 percent in 1989

and 13.1 percent in 1993). The share of Federal S&Es

55 years of age or older in management increased

from 18.7 percent in 1989 to 20.8 percent in 1993.

Table 8. Federal scientists and engineers, by age and 

selected work activity: 1993

1989 1993

Age Research Development Design Management Research Development Design Management

 Total..................................................... 21,242 28,791 15,171 8,407 21,670 29,529 14,209 8,488 

 Under 35 years............................................ 5,211 12,257 6,277 1,076 4,637 11,859 5,016 1,113 

 35-39 years............................................... 3,398 3,154 2,045 906 3,551 4,021 2,162 976 

 40-49 years............................................... 6,620 6,925 3,685 3,172 6,753 6,506 3,809 2,998 

 50-54 years............................................... 2,771 3,177 1,531 1,681 3,043 3,402 1,461 1,634 

 55-56 years............................................... 807 922 434 475 971 1,056 460 536 

 57-59 years............................................... 1,067 1,095 509 525 1,103 1,143 583 574 

 60-61 years............................................... 471 464 232 216 528 580 249 267 

 62 years and over......................................... 897 795 458 356 1,084 962 469 390 

 No report................................................. - 2 - - - - - - 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files.
SECTION 5. SALARIES

The median annual base salaries of Federal scientists and engineers increased 21.9 percent during

1989-93, from $41,100 to $50,100. By contrast, the

average annual weekly earnings in private nonagricultural industries rose only 12 percent during the

same period (table 9).

Median annual base salaries for Federal scientists

and engineers vary by occupation, work activity, and

years of service. In 1993, median annual salaries for

Table 9. Median average annual base salaries of 

 Federal scientists and engineers, by major 

occupation group: 1989 and 1993

Major occupational group In dollars Percent

change

1989 1993

Total....................................................................................... $41,100 $50,100 22

All scientists.......................................................................... 40,400 48,100 19

 Computer & mathematical scientists........................................... 42,100 49,900 19

 Life scientists................................................................... 35,300 42,600 21

 Physical scientists............................................................ 43,800 52,300 19

 Social scientists............................................................................... 41,000 48,000 17

All engineers............................................................................................ 42,000 52,300 25

 Aerospace engineers.......................................................................... 45,200 54,400 20

 Chemical engineers.............................................................................. 39,800 51,000 28

 Civil engineers....................................................................................... 41,100 49,900 21

 Electrical, electronics & 

 computer engineers.......................................................... 41,100 52,200 27

 Industrial engineers.......................................................................... 38,800 48,300 24

 Mechanical engineers........................................................................ 38,800 49,200 27

 Other engineers............................................................ 45,100 54,300 20

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel 

 Management's Central Personnel Data Files

scientists ($48,100) were below those for engineers

($52,300), with the highest salaries reported for aerospace and civil engineers and the lowest salaries reported for life scientists. Among scientists, the highest

median annual base salaries were paid to physical

scientists, followed by computer and mathematical

scientists, social scientists, and life scientists. The

highest S&E salaries for engineers after aerospace

engineers were reported for electrical, electronics, and

computer engineers; chemical engineers; and civil

engineers.

The median annual base salaries for engineers increased more rapidly (25.3 percent) than did the salaries

of scientists (19.1 percent). In general, all engineering

occupations (except for civil engineers) received higher

than average annual base salary increases, and all

scientific occupations received lower than average

increases. The fastest growing median salaries were for

chemical engineers (28.1 percent), and the slowest

growing salaries were for social scientists (17.1 percent).

Federal scientists and engineers with a Ph.D. degree

reported a median annual salary of $60,400 in 1993,

20.6 percent higher than the average for all degree

levels. Employees with a master’s degree reported a

median annual base salary of $52,500—4.8 percent

higher than the average—and those with a bachelor’s

degree reported a median annual salary of $48,300—

3.7 percent less than the average for all Federal scientists and engineers.
SECTION 6. WOMEN AND MINORITIES

WOMEN

Levels and Trends

The number of women scientists and engineers in the

Federal Government increased by 27.6 percent between

1989 and 1993, from 29,328 to 37,431 (table 10). By

contrast, the number of men scientists and engineers in

Primary Work Activity

Men and women scientists and engineers vary in

their pattern of primary work activities. The largest

proportion of women are employed in research,

whereas the largest proportion of men are engaged in

development work. Other primary work activities for

women in order of importance include development;

Table 10. Federal scientists and engineers, by sex: 1989-93

Gender 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

 

 Total................................................................. 185,623 189,049 194,726 198,853 196,908 

 Women..................................................................... 29,328 31,733 34,787 36,854 37,431 

 Men..................................................................... 156,294 157,316 159,939 161,997 159,474 

 No report............................................................. 1 - - 2 3 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central 

 Personnel Data Files

data collection, processing, and analysis; natural

resource operations; clinical practice, counseling, and

ancillary medical services; test and evaluation; and

design. Other primary work activities for men in order

of importance include research; design; data collection,

processing, and analysis; natural resource operations;

installation, operations, and maintenance; and test and

evaluation.

Between 1989 and 1993 the fastest growing work

activities for women included management; natural

resource operations; and clinical practice, counseling,

and ancillary medical services. The fastest growing

work activities for men included teaching and training;

clinical practice, counseling, and ancillary medical

services; and regulatory enforcement or licensing.

MINORITIES

Level and Trends

The number of Federal scientists and engineers who

are members of ethnic/racial minority groups rose

18.3 percent between 1989 and 1993, from 26,052 to

30,810 (table 11). In 1993, members of minority/

ethnic groups represented 15.6 percent of the Federal

S&E labor force, up from 14 percent in 1989. Most of

this increase is attributable to the increased number of

the Federal Government grew by 2.0 percent over the

same period. The growth of women was 18.6 percent

during 1989-91 and 7.6 percent during 1991-93. The

growth trend for men scientists remained at a low

2.3 percent in 1989-91. A slight decrease occurred

during 1991-93.

Employment growth for women outpaced that for men

across all major occupational groups between 1989 and

1993. The highest employment growth for women in

the sciences was posted for the life sciences (42 percent); the lowest level was among physical scientists (19

percent). Corresponding growth levels for men ranged

from 9.6 percent for life sciences to 0.7 percent for

physical scientists. Employment growth increases for

women were highest in the engineering occupations, at

17.6 percent. The highest growth was posted for

electrical, electronics, and computer engineers (23.5

percent), and the lowest growth was for industrial

engineers (-18.7 percent). Corresponding levels for

men ranged from 2.4 percent to -21.7 percent, respectively.

Despite experiencing more rapid employment growth

than men, women in 1993 accounted for only

27.4 percent of all Federal scientists and 10.1 percent of

all Federal engineers. These ratios were higher than the

1989 ratios (23.6 percent for scientists and 8.6 percent

for engineers).
Table 11. Federal scientists and engineers, by 

racial/ethnic status: 1989-93

Racial/ethnic status 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993

Total................................................................................... 185,623 189,049 194,726 198,853 196,908 

White..................................................................................... 159,401 161,431 165,564 168,316 166,084 

Black...................................................................................... 8,409 8,712 9,216 9,579 9,682 

Asian...................................................................................... 9,866 10,565 11,192 11,764 11,930 

Hispanic................................................................................ 5,331 5,687 6,071 6,354 6,394 

Native American.................................................................. 929 1,002 1,106 1,198 1,249 

All other.................................................................................. 1,517 1,576 1,523 1,516 1,555 

No report.............................................................................. 170 76 54 126 14 

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central 

 Personnel Data Files

Asian scientists and engineers, from 9,866 to 11,930.

Black scientists and engineers in the Federal Government increased by 15.1 percent over the same period.

Hispanic scientists and engineers grew 19.9 percent

during 1989-93, and Native Americans increased by

34.4 percent.

In 1993, 15 percent of all Federal scientists and

engineers were a member of an ethnic or racial minority

group. Asians were the largest minority group representing 6 percent of Federal scientists and engineers,

followed by Black Americans with 5 percent of the

total. Hispanics and Native Americans were the

smallest minority groups representing 3 percent and

1 percent of the total number of Federal scientists and

engineers, respectively.

Employment growth for all minority groups

(19.2 percent) outpaced the growth of white Federal

scientists and engineers between 1989 and 1993

(4.2 percent). The growth of Asians and Native Americans outpaced that of other minorities, with increases of

21 percent and 34 percent, respectively. Hispanics in

the Federal science and engineering workforce during

the same period grew by 20 percent and Blacks rose by

15 percent.

Specific occupational areas of growth among

selected minority groups included

• an 82-percent increase in aerospace engineering jobs

for Native Americans,

• a 53-percent increase in computer and mathematical

science jobs for Asians,

• a 35-percent rise in social science jobs for

Hispanics, and

• a 29-percent growth in social science jobs for

Blacks.

Primary Work Activity

Minorities employed as Federal scientists and

engineers have varied primary work activities. The

largest proportion of Asians are employed in work

activities such as development, research, and design,

whereas the largest proportion of blacks are engaged in

development; data collection, processing, and analysis;

and research. Hispanics are primarily engaged in

development, test and evaluation, and design. Almost

one-quarter of the Native Americans employed as

scientists and engineers in the Federal Government are

engaged in natural resource operations work.
SECTION 7. GEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS IN THE EMPLOYMENT

OF FEDERAL SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

3

 See table 12 for a listing of States within the regions

indentified in this section.

In 1993 almost 1.8 million civilian white collar employees worked for the Federal Government. Fewer

than one-fifth of the white collar employees worked in

the Washington DC metropolitan statistical area; the

remaining four-fifths held U.S. duty stations in the

other 50 States or were employed in U.S. territories

and foreign countries. The decision to open and close

Federal facilities has a large impact on the economic

growth and development of States and localities.

This is especially true for Federal laboratories that

employ large numbers of scientists and engineers.

This section analyzes the geographic distribution of

Federal scientists and engineers, examining the regional patterns that have emerged during the eighties

and nineties and the concentration of Federal scientists and engineers in States.

The South Atlantic Region led the country in the

number of Federal scientists and engineers; 36 percent of the Nation’s federally employed scientists and

engineers work in this region (mostly in Maryland

and the District of Columbia, which accounted for

31.5 percent and 24.6 percent of the region’s total, respectively) (table 12). The Pacific region was the

second-largest region, with 16 percent of the total

number of Federal scientists and engineers (almost

62.7 percent of the region’s Federal scientists and engineers work in California). By contrast, New England was the smallest region, with 3.8 percent of the

Federal S&E total. Massachusetts accounted for

44.2 percent of all Federal scientists and engineers

employed in New England.

• Among the six remaining regions the number of

Federal scientists and engineer’s is concentrated

in a few States; for example:

• Pennsylvania and New Jersey accounted for 77.6

percent of Federal scientists and engineers in the

Middle Atlantic Region.3

• Ohio accounted for more than 42.9 percent of the

Federal scientists and engineers in the East North

Central Region.

• Missouri accounted for 37.6 percent of the

Federal scientists and engineers in the West North

Central Region.

• Alabama accounted for 56.4 percent of Federal

scientists and engineers in the East South Central

Region.

• Texas accounted for 62.3 percent of the Federal

scientists and engineers in the West South

Central Region.

• Colorado and New Mexico accounted for 51.2

percent of the Federal scientists and engineers in

the Mountain region

Employment growth varied by region during the late

1980s and early 1990s, ranging from a high of 12.8

percent for the Mountain region to a low of 1 percent

for the Middle Atlantic region. Idaho and Colorado

contributed heavily to the increasing employment

growth in the Mountain States with growth levels of

29.8 and 17.7 percent, respectively. The substantial

growth level of the South Atlantic States (8.4 percent)

was fueled by significant growth in Federal S&E

employment for West Virginia (19.4 percent), North

Carolina (16.2 percent), and Maryland (8.7 percent).

All other regions showed employment growth levels at

or less than 7.5 percent. Despite the varying levels of

regional employment growth, the regional rankings

had minor changes during 1989-93. The Mountain

States showed the most strength, surpassing the

Middle Atlantic States and the East North Central

States and becoming the third most populous Federal

S&E region after the South Atlantic region and the

Pacific region.
Table 12. Federal scientists and engineers (S&Es): distribution by region 

and ranking by State: 1993

Page 1 of 1

Region/State Federal S&Es

Percent of U.S. 

total Region/State Federal S&Es

Percent of U.S. 

total

New England............................................... 7,491 3.8 East South Central.............................................. 11,206 5.7

Middle Atlantic............................................16,018 8.1 West South Central...........................................13,375 6.8

East North Central.................................................. 16,552 8.4 Mountain............................................................. 17,067 8.7

West North Central........................................... 8,072 4.1 Pacific.............................................................31,420 16.0

South Atlantic............................................70,947 36.0 State unknown..................................... 4,760 2.4

Region/State U.S. ranking Region/State U.S. ranking

New England: East South Central:

Connecticut.......................................................................... 32 West Virginia................................................................................. 41

Maine.................................................................................. 42 Alabama........................................................................................ 8

Massachusetts.................................................................... 16 Kentucky................................................................................. 39

New Hampshire................................................................. 49 Mississippi................................................................................. 22

Rhode Island....................................................................... 30 Tennessee................................................................................... 33

Vermont.................................................................................. 50

West South Central:

Middle Atlantic: Arkansas..................................................................................... 44

 New Jersey.............................................................................. 7 Louisiana................................................................................... 29

 New York............................................................................... 15 Oklahoma...................................................................................... 20

 Pennsylvania....................................................................... 10 Texas......................................................................................... 5

East North Central: Mountain:

 Illinois...................................................................................... 14 Arizona........................................................................................... 27

 Indiana......................................................................................... 21 Colorado.................................................................................. 11

 Michigan.................................................................................... 24 Idaho........................................................................................... 34

 Ohio..................................................................................... 6 Montana.................................................................................. 38

 Wisconsin........................................................................... 43 Nevada....................................................................................... 40

West North Central: New Mexico.............................................................................. 18

 Iowa...................................................................................... 46 Utah............................................................................................ 25

 Kansas.................................................................................. 37 Wyoming.................................................................................... 45

 Minnesota............................................................................. 36

 Missouri.............................................................................. 17 Pacific:

 Nebraska................................................................................ 35 Alaska........................................................................................... 31

 California..................................................................................... 2

 North Dakota............................................................................. 47 Hawaii........................................................................................... 26

 South Dakota............................................................................. 48 Oregon......................................................................................... 19

 Washington............................................................................... 12

South Atlantic:

 Delaware.................................................................................. 51

 District of Columbia.................................................................... 3

 Florida.................................................................................. 9

 Georgia.................................................................................... 13

 Maryland................................................................................ 1

 North Carolina.......................................................................... 23

 South Carolina........................................................................... 28

 Virginia......................................................................................... 4

SOURCE: National Science Foundation tabulations from Office of Personnel Management's Central Personnel Data Files
SECTION 8. FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES EDUCATED AS

SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS EMPLOYED IN NON-S&E

OCCUPATIONS

To accurately measure the supply of scientific and

engineering skills in the Federal Government, a more

complete examination would be required of Federal

employees who are trained as scientists and engineers

but work in non-S&E occupations. In 1993, 73 percent of

all Federal white collar employees with a bachelor’s

degree or higher were employed in a non-S&E occupation. These levels remain consistent throughout the

4-year period covered in this report. Federal employees

trained as social scientists and life scientsts are more

likely to be employed in non S&E jobs than other

scientists and engineers.

There is also a group of Federal employees with

degrees in nonscientific or nonengineering fields who

are increasingly employed in S&E occupations.

They may have acquired skills during the attainment

of that degree that are easily transferable to other

S&E occupations. This group grew from 6.9 percent

of white collar employees in 1989 to 7.6 percent in

1993. Federal employees with their highest degree in

a non-S&E field and employed as life scientists have

grown more rapidly than any other group (29.8 percent).

Other rapidly growing S&E occupations that include a

larger proportion of graduates with non-S&E degrees

include computer and mathematical scientists

(19.1 percent), social scientists (18.4 percent), and

physical scientists (17.4 percent).
Appendixes

Page

A. Technical Notes ....................................................................................................................... 23

B. Detailed Statistical Tables ....................................................................................................... 33
APPENDIX A. TECHNICAL NOTES

SCOPE

The preceding report presents data on the demographic and employment characteristics of Federal

scientists and engineers. This population consists of

individuals in selected white collar civilian occupational groups who hold at least a university or college

bachelor’s degree. One table also provides information on Federal civilian white collar personnel educated in S&E fields but employed in non-S&E occupations. This report differs from previous reports on

Federal scientists and engineers in that it presents for

the first time a historical 5-year time-series on Federal

scientists and engineers. The statistical tables were

prepared by selecting various crosscuts of the following data elements on Federal scientists and engineers:

1. Agency of employment

2. Primary work activity (functional classification)

3. Sex

4. Occupational group and series

5. Highest degree field

6. Race/ethnicity

7. Geographic division and State of official duty

station

8. Age

9. Highest degree level

DATA SOURCES

The data presented in this report were collected by

the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and provided to the National Science Foundation on magnetic

tape. OPM extracted the data from its Central Personnel Data File (CPDF). The CPDF, which was established in 1972 and is maintained by OPM, is an automated system of individual records for almost all Federal civilian employees. Agencies collect these data on

their employees from requests and notifications of individual personnel actions. The CPDF is maintained by

monthly agency input of employment status files. All

input files are edited for validity. The CPDF contains

over 2 million records on full-time nonpostal Federal

civilian employment.

DATA REFERENCE PERIOD

The information provided by OPM for the years

1989-93 is from the Central Personnel Data Files

(CPDF). The effective date of data provided for

1989-93 is as of September 30 of each year.

AGENCY COVERAGE

The CPDF does not contain information for (and as

a result the report excludes data for) Members and employees of Congress, Architect of the Capitol, Botanic

Gardens, Library of Congress, Congressional Budget

Office, Copyright Royalty Tribunal, Office of Technology Assessment, Judicial Branch (except the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts), White House Office,

Office of the Vice President, Board of Governors of the

Federal Reserve System, Defense Intelligence Agency,

Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency,

U.S. Postal Service, Postal Rate Commission, foreign

nationals employed overseas, or the Public Health

Commissioned Corps. The General Accounting Office

was included in all years except 1993. The Tennessee

Valley Authority (TVA) does not report to the CPDF, but

the magnetic tape provided to the National Science

Foundation by OPM was supplemented to include TVA

data for 1993 only. TVA data were not included in the

years 1989-92.

The acronyms and abbreviated references of the

Federal agencies for which tabular data are provided in

this report are as follows:

Air Force - Department of the Air Force

Army - Department of the Army

Commerce - Department of Commerce

DOE - Department of Energy

DOT - Department of Transportation

Defense - Department of Defense

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

HHS - Department of Health and Human

Services

Interior - Department of the Interior

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space

Administration

Navy - Department of the Navy

TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority

USDA - Department of Agriculture

VA - Veterans Administration

Other abbreviations used are as follows:

R&D - research and development

S&E - science and engineering
OCCUPATIONAL COVERAGE

The data reported in this report should be used with

caution when examining data reported on Federal scientists and engineers in previous years. Some reports

published prior to this report contain data about all

scientists and engineers, regardless of their highest degree level. This report covers only Federal scientists

and engineers with at least a bachelor’s degree.

The Federal scientists and engineers included in this

report were compiled from a group consisting of all

Federal white collar employees as presented and

reported by the Office of Personnel Management. The

list on the following pages indicates the occupational

group and series, by code number, of all scientific and

engineering personnel in the Federal Government. The

list of occupations that were selected is presented

together with the occupational codes established for

NSF’s SESTAT (Scientists and Engineers Data

System). SESTAT is an occupational classification

system that NSF has established for all its S&E

personnel surveys. The table lists the occupations

selected as S&E occupations from the CPDF and the

corresponding SESTAT major and minor occupational

groups.

DEFINITIONS OF WORK-ACTIVITY

CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES4

Research. Systematic, critical, intensive investigation directed toward the development of new or

fuller scientific knowledge of the subject studied. It

may be with or without reference to a specific application. The work involves theoretical, taxonomic, and

experimental investigations or simulation of experiments and conditions for several purposes. The

following list identifies these activities:

(1) Determining the nature, magnitude, and

interrelationships of natural and social

phenomena and processes.

(2) Creating and developing theoretical or

experimental means of investigating such

phenomena or processes.

4 These definitions are used by the Office of Personnel

Management to gather information on work activities of Federal

scientists and engineers

(3) Developing the principles, criteria, methods,

and a body of data of general applicability for

use by others.

Excluded from this research category is work concerned primarily with the administration and monitoring of research contracts and research grants.

Development. Systematic application of scientific knowledge directed toward the creation of new or

substantially improved equipment, materials, instrumentation, devices, systems, mathematical models,

processes, techniques, and procedures that will

perform a useful function or be suitable for a particular duty.

The work involves the following activities:

(1) Establishing requirements for technical

objectives and characteristics.

(2) Devising and evaluating concepts for design

approaches, criteria, parameters, characteristics,

and interrelationships.

(3) Experimenting, investigating, and testing to

produce new data, mathematical models,

methods of testing concepts; formulating design

criteria; and measuring and predicting natural

and social phenomena and performance.

(4) Designing and developing prototypes, bread

boards, and engineering models including the

direction of their fabrication as required.

(5) Developing standards and test plans to assure

reliability.

(6) Managing specific developments being

executed in-house or under contract.

As does research, development advances the state of

the art, but it is further characterized by the creation

of specific end-items in the form of equipment or

equipment systems (hardware development) and/or

methodologies, mathematical models, procedures, and

techniques (software development).
Crosswalk of NSF's SESTAT Major and Minor Occcupational Groups and OPM Occupations

SESTAT Major and Minor Groups OPM Occupation Codes

Detail Level

1.0 Computer and Mathematical Scientists

1.1 Computer and information scientists

1550 Computer scientists (those individuals = or > GS-15 or equivalent)

1550 Computer scientists (those individuals < GS-15 or equivalent)

334 Computer specialists (those individuals = or > GS-12 or equivalent)

1670 Equipment specialists

330 Digital equipment specialist, administration

1.2 Mathematical scientists 1520 Mathematicians

1515 Operations research analysts

1529 Mathematical statisticians

1530 Statisticians

1540 Cryptographers

1541 Cryptography analysts

1.8 Postsecondary teachers- Computer & mathematical sciences

2.0 Life and Related Scientists

Agricultural, forestry, and conservation scientists

2.1 Agricultural and food scientists 28 Environmental protection specialists

406 Agricultural extension specialists

437 Horticulturalists

454 Range conservationists

 457 Soil conservationists

470 Soil scientists

471 Agronomers

487 Animal scientists

Biological scientists, including biochemists and biophysicists

2.2 Biological scientists 403 Microbiologists

408 Ecologists

410 Zoologists

413 Physiologists

414 Entomologists

415 Toxicologists

430 Botanists

434 Plant pathologists

435 Plant physiologists

440 Geneticists

482 Fishery biologists

486 Wildlife biologists

405 Pharmacologists

401 Biological scientists, general

2.3 Environmental life scientists, including forestry scientists Included above under agricultural, forestry, and conservation scientists

2.8 Postsecondary teachers- Life & related Sciences
3.0 Physical and Related Scientists

3.1 Chemists, except biochemistry 1320 Chemists

3.2 Earth scientists, geologists & oceanographers 1330 Astronomers and space scientists

1340 Meteorologists

1313 Geophysicists

1315 Hydrologists

1350 Geologists

1372 Geodesists

1360 Oceonographers

1310 Physicists

3.4 Other physical scientists 1306 Health physicists

1301 Physical scientists, general

3.8 Postsecondary teachers- Physical & related sciences

4.0 Social and Related Scientists

4.1 Economists 110 Economists

135 Foreign agricultural affairs

1140 Trade specialist

1146 Agricultural market specialists

1147 Agricultural market reporting

2110 Transportation industry analysis

4.2 Political scientists and related scientists 130 Foreign affairs analysts

131 International relations specialists

4.3 Psychologists 180 Psychologists

4.4 Sociologists and anthropologists 190 General anthropologists

184 Sociologists

4.5 Other social scientists 106 Unemployment insurance specialist

132 Intelligence specialist

136 International cooperation specialist

150 Geographers

160 Civil rights analysts

193 Archeologists

140 Manpower research analysts

1730 Education research analysts

238x Social scientists, general

4.8 Postsecondary teachers- social & related sciences

5.0 Engineering

5.1 Aerospace and related engineers 861 Aerospace enineers

5.2 Chemical engineers 893 Chemical engineers

5.3 Civil and architectural engineers 810 Civil engineers

5.4 Electrical, electronic, computer, & communications engineers 854 Computer engineers

850 Electrical engineers

855 Electronics engineers

5.5 Industrial engineers 803 Safety engineers

804 Fire prevention engineers

896 Industrial engineers

5.6 Mechanical engineers 830 Mechanical engineers
5.7 Other engineers 890 Agricultural engineers

858 Biomedical engineers

819 Environmental engineers

871 Naval architects

806 Metallurgical engineers

892 Ceramic engineers

894 Welding engineers

1321 Metallurgists

880 Mining engineers

840 Nuclear engineers

881 Petroleum engineers

801 Engineers, general

5.8 Postecondary teachers- Engineering
Design. The planning, synthesis, and portrayal for

purposes of fabrication or construction of structures,

equipment, materials, facilities, devices, and processes

that will perform a useful function or be suitable for a

certain duty.

The work involves the following activities:

(1) Investigating, analyzing, and determining

needs and design considerations.

(2) Planning, synthesizing, and proportioning the

structure of mechanisms so that the result is

achieved with safety and economy.

(3) Preparing design criteria, detailed designs,

specifications, cost estimates, and operating

instructions.

(4) Reviewing and evaluating design proposals

and designs prepared by others including the

management of architectural and engineering

contracts.

For present purposes, design in an R&D organization is the application of the known state-of-the-art in

the form of standard guidelines and references to

prepare the detailed working plans and data required

for fabrication, assembly, and production.

Data collection, processing, and

analysis. The collection, processing, and analysis

of general-purpose scientific data describing natural

and social phenomena. General-purpose scientific data

include newly gathered statistics, observations, instrument readings, measurements, specimens, and other

facts obtained from such activities as statistical and

field surveys, exploration, laboratory analyses, photogrammetry, and compilations of operating records for

use by others. The following activities are involved:

(1) Determining data needs and data processing

requirements.

(2) Planning, directing, and evaluating collection

activities performed in-house or under con tract.

(3) Designing overall processing plans and

systems to handle, control, operate, manipulate,

reduce, store, check, and retrieve data.

(4) Analyzing raw and processed data for validity

and subject-matter interpretation.

(5) Providing analytic services such as chemical

analyses.

(6) Forecasting and projecting data conditions.

(7) Summarizing and presenting data for general

use.

Excluded from this category are collection and

analysis of data only for R&D projects and internal

operating or administrative purposes such as policy

formulation or planning.

Natural resource operations. The development and utilization of federally owned lands and

natural resources for the purposes of bringing current

use into balance with natural processes of renewal to

assure sustained yields to meet present and future public needs. Natural resources include land, air, and water, and their related products or uses, such as soil,

minerals, timber, forage, wildlife, power, and recreation. The work involves implementing programs and

projects to inventory, classify, utilize, improve, conserve, regulate, protect, sell, lease, exchange, or market natural resources. Resource operations as defined

here are concerned with managing and conserving the

land and resources in a specified geographic area.

Management. The direction and control of science and engineering (S&E) programs in any one or

combination of functions in a line or staff capacity

with responsibilities that have a direct and substantial

effect on the organizations and programs managed.

The work involves decisions, actions, and recommendations that establish the basic content and character

of the programs directed in terms of program objectives and priorities, program initiation and content,

funding, and allocation of organizational resources.

This category is not intended to cover those primarily

engaged in the supervision or monitoring of work carried out through contracts and grants, or in the contracts and grants administration. Such positions are to

be coded to the appropriate function.
Installation, operations, and

maintenance. The installing, assembling,

integrating, and assuring of the proper technical

operation and functioning of systems, facilities,

machinery, and equipment. The work involves the

following activities:

(1) Analyzing operating and environmental

conditions in order to provide design inputs

and feedbacks, and modifying designs as

necessary to adapt them to actual

environments.

(2) Developing and determining logistic require

ments, documentation, technical plans,

procedures, controls, and instructions.

(3) Equipping, supplying, and commissioning

facilities.

(4) Analyzing performance and cost data and

developing actual performance and cost-data

requirements.

(5) Integrating equipment installation and

operating schedules.

(6) Managing onsite an operating facility such as

a power plant, test range, mission control

center, irrigation station, data acquisition

station, or flight control station.

(7) Managing installation, operations, or

maintenance contracts.

Planning. The study and projection of present

and future needs and the formulation of alternative

policies and ways of meeting these needs for the

utilization of land; natural, social, industrial, material,

and manpower resources; physical facilities; and

social and economic services and programs. The work

involves the following activities:

(1) Gathering, compiling, analyzing, and

evaluating data.

(2) Projecting needs and establishing goals.

(3) Developing single or alternative plans,

policies, programs, and recommendations, and

measures of their economic, social, and

political costs, benefits, and feasibility.

(4) Reevaluating progress to assure that objectives

are realized in putting the plans into effect.

This category includes physical, economic, and

social planning for land population centers and

mission, policy, and program planning.

Test and evaluation. The testing of equipment,

materials, devices, components, systems, and methodologies under controlled conditions and the systematic

evaluation of test data to determine the degree of compliance of the test item with predetermined criteria and

requirements. This work is characterized by the development and application of test plans to be carried out

in-house or under contract or grant utilizing one or

more of the following kinds of tests: physical measurement techniques; controlled laboratory, shop, and field

(demonstration) trials; and simulated environmental

techniques.

Activities included in this category are as follows:

(1) Development testing to determine the

suitability of the test item for use in its

environment.

(2) Production and postproduction testing to

determine operational readiness.

(3) Testing in regulatory programs to determine

compliance with laws, regulations, and

standards.

(4) Testing in the social sciences using demonstration or experimental and control groups to

determine the effectiveness of new

methodologies or practices.

Research contract and grants

administration. The administration and monitoring of research contracts and research grants.

Construction. The original erection, repair, and

improvement of structures that provide shelter for

people and activities, support transportation systems,

and control natural resources. The work involves

surveillance and control of construction operations
carried out in-house or under Federal grants, contracts,

or loans through the following activities:

(1) Conducting site surveys.

(2) Reviewing and interpreting project plans and

specifications.

(3) Making cost analyses and estimates.

(4) Laying out and scheduling operations.

(5) Investigating materials, methods, and

construction problems.

(6) Negotiating with utilities, contractors, and

agencies involved.

(7) Inspecting work in progress and completed

work and final acceptance of completed work.

Production. The fabrication and manufacture of

structures, equipment, materials, machines, and

devices. The work involves surveillance and control of

production operations carried out in-house or under

contract through the following activities:

(1) Planning, directing, controlling, inspecting,

and evaluating production processes,

equipment, and facilities.

(2) Refining designs to adapt them to production

facilities and processes.

(3) Devising, applying, and monitoring

procedures to measure and assure quality.

Scientific and technical information.

The processing and dissemination of published and

unpublished technical documents and information on

work to facilitate their use. The work involves developing and implementing information systems through

numerous activities:

(1) Providing for the selection, acquisition,

compilation, exchange, and storage of

scientific and technical information.

(2) Cataloging, abstracting, and indexing

information for retrieval and dissemination.

(3) Providing reference, literature search, and

bibliographic services for information users.

(4) Interpreting, evaluating, and briefing on the

significance and relevance of information.

(5) Disseminating information through briefings,

technical publications, and other communications media.

(6) Classifying and declassifying technical

information where use must be controlled in

the national interest.

Standards and specifications. The

preparation and determination of mandatory and/or

voluntary standards including rules, regulations, and

codes. Some of the purposes for which these standards

are developed include the following:

(1) Drafting Government codes and regulations.

(2) Assuring the acceptability, quality, and/or

standardization of products, materials, and

parts as required for design, production,

purchasing, logistics, and documentation.

The work involves the development of performance

criteria, test and inspection methods, and data for the

application of the standards to technological products

and services.

Regulatory enforcement and licensing.

The application and enforcement of laws, rules, regulations, orders, and governmental agreements through

inspection, investigation, surveillance, licensing, certification, and similar activities.

The work includes activities such as the following:

(1) Licensing power plants and radio stations.

(2) Enforcing plant or animal-disease eradication

programs.

(3) Examining applications for patents.

(4) Inspecting operations for compliance with

requirements.

(5) Approving utility rates and services.
(6) Investigating aircraft accidents.

(7) Allocating radio frequencies.

(8) Determining compliance with engineering

aspects of Federal tax laws.

Teaching and training. The teaching of scientific and technical subjects; the education and training of scientific and technical personnel in-house and

through programs consisting of fellowships, traineeships, and training grants; and the development of curriculums, training materials, and aids.

Technical assistance and consulting.

The provision of scientific and technical expert assistance, consultation, and advice to other scientific personnel; foreign governments; government agencies at

the Federal, State, or local level; private industry; organized groups; and individuals. The work involves

advising and promoting application of the results of

research and specialized program knowledge.

Other—not elsewhere classified. This category is to be

used for the following positions:

(1) Those with highly specialized activities that

are not covered in any of the other categories.

(2) Those of such generalized nature that a

primary function cannot be identified.

(3) Trainee positions without functional

assignments.

LIMITATIONS OF THE DATA

The criterion used in this report to classify a Federal

white collar employee as a scientist and engineer is to

select the occupational group or series that is considered to be an S&E series. Although some of the occupational series have been selected as S&E series, employees within these series or groups are not necessarily

working as scientists and engineers or on S&E work.

On the other hand, there are some occupations that

have not been classified as S&E occupations because

their occupational series are technical and not professional in nature. For example, patent examiners have

not been included as as having S&E occupations, even

though some of the employees within this occupation

are trained as scientists and, particularly, engineers.

(These employees were included in the statistical table

on Federal personnel who held their highest degree in

S&E but who were employed in non-S&E work.)

The information presented in this report is obtained

from OPM’s CPDF. The CPDF is updated on a quarterly basis by agency submissions. The agencies collect their data from individual notifications of (SF-50-B)

and requests for (SF-52-B) personnel action. The

forms are usually updated by personnel clerks and are

subject to misclassification and miscoding. This is

particularly true for three of the data elements: primary work activity (functional classification), highest

degree field, and highest degree level. Primary work

activity data are updated by personnel clerks, and unless the clerks refer to position descriptions or contact

the employee (or the employee’s manager) whose

records are being updated, the coding is subject to

misclassification. Education data (highest degree field

and highest degree level) are collected only on permanent employees at the time of entry into the Federal

Service and are not routinely updated by additional

educational experience after the time of hiring.

For further information on data quality, survey

methodology, and error analyses on the data provided

to NSF, refer to the Federal Civilian Workforce

Statistics, Occupations of Federal White-Collar and

Blue-Collar Workers, issued biennially by OPM.