Life, physical, and social science workers

This occupational group includes agricultural scientists, food scientists, 

biological scientists, medical scientists, astronomers, physicists, chemists, 

hydrologists, economists, survey researchers, psychologists, sociologists, 

urban planners, anthropologists, archeologists, geographers, historians, 

political scientists, and nuclear technicians.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, 

interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 90.3 percent of life, physical, and social science workers, and 

basic people skills were required for 9.7 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of life, physical, and social science workers with cognitive and 

mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 82.6 17.4

Interaction with general public 69.7 30.3

Working around crowds 0.6 99.4

Telework 16.6 83.4

Work review: Supervising others 16.0 84.0

Work review: Presence of supervisor 49.5 50.5

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 51.2 percent of 

life, physical, and social 

science workers. Prior work 

experience was required for 

71.1 percent and on-the-job 

training was required for 71.3 

percent.

A bachelor's degree was 

required for 52.0 percent of 

life, physical, and social 

science workers.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete 

hazards or difficulties that are in the 

vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are 

performed.

In 2023, 95.1 percent of life, physical, 

and social science workers were not 

exposed to extreme cold, and 96.9 

percent were not exposed to extreme 

heat. Wetness was not present for 64.6 

percent, 98.6 percent were not 

exposed to heavy vibrations, and 63.7 

percent were not exposed to the 

outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some 

cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for 99.1 

percent of life, physical, and social science 

workers and was not required for 0.9 percent. 

For 1.1 percent of workers, keyboarding was 

seldom performed, for 63.1 percent keyboarding 

occurred occasionally, 34.0 percent frequently, 

and for 1.0 percent keyboarding occurred 

constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required 

for 46.6 percent of life, physical, and social 

science workers and was not required for 53.4 

percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 71.5 percent of life, physical, and social science

workers. On average, workers spent 62.7 percent of the workday sitting and 37.3 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of life, physical, and social science workers with physical demands, 

2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 71.5 28.5

Driving 38.7 61.3

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 23.5 76.5

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey