SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INDICATORS

Workers in S&E occupations have undertaken more education than the general workforce. The majority (76%) of workers in S&E occupations hold a bachelor’s or higher degree compared to 36% of workers in all other occupations (Figure 3-5).^{​Many comparisons using Census Bureau data on occupations are limited to looking at all S&E occupations except postsecondary teachers because the Census Bureau aggregates all postsecondary teachers into one occupation code. National Science Foundation (NSF) surveys of scientists and engineers and some BLS surveys collect data on postsecondary teachers by field.} In addition, most (82%) college graduates working in S&E occupations have an S&E degree at the bachelor’s level or higher (Table 3-2). This suggests that S&E training is the usual pathway into S&E occupations. However, the prevalence of having an S&E degree or a degree in the same broad field as one’s S&E occupation varies across the broad occupation groups. For example, among computer and mathematical scientists, less than one-half (45%) have at least a bachelor’s degree in the same broad field and about one-fifth (20%) do not have a degree in any S&E or S&E-related field of study. In contrast, between 71% and 82% of life scientists, physical scientists, social scientists, and engineers have at least one degree at the bachelor’s or higher level in their respective broad field of study.

Although working in an S&E occupation often requires an S&E degree, many S&E highest degree holders pursue careers in other areas. About a third of S&E highest degree holders (35%) work in S&E occupations, while the rest work in S&E-related (14%) or non-S&E occupations (51%). In contrast, at least half of S&E-related or non-S&E highest degree holders each are employed in S&E-related and non-S&E occupations, respectively (Figure 3-6).

Most S&E highest degree holders not working in S&E occupations (69%) reported that their occupations were closely or somewhat related to their highest degrees (Table 3-3). In addition to S&E occupations, occupation groups in which relatively large numbers of S&E highest degree holders are employed include management-related occupations (1.5 million workers), non-S&E managers (1.2 million workers), and sales and marketing (1.0 million workers) (Table S3-2). Among S&E highest degree holders in non-S&E management and management-related occupations, 71% indicate that their jobs are related to their S&E degree.

The proportion of S&E highest degree holders who go on to work in S&E occupations varies substantially by S&E degree fields and level of degree. Those with a highest degree in computer and mathematical sciences and engineering tend to work in occupations that are more related to their fields of study. Individuals with social sciences degrees, in contrast, work primarily in non-S&E occupations (80%) (Figure 3-7). Additionally, S&E doctorates tend to work in S&E occupations, whereas the link between S&E field of study and S&E occupation is less salient at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels (Figure 3-8). For information on certifications and licenses, see sidebar Certifications and Licenses.