NSF Releases Data on Scientists & Engineers

The South Atlantic region leads the nation in doctoral scientist and engineer employment rates, according to Characteristics of Doctoral Scientists and Engineers in the United States: 1997 (NSF 00-308), prepared by the National Science Foundation (NSF). NSF completed an in-depth demographic and employment study of doctoral scientists and engineers taken from the 1997 Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR). It includes a ranking of doctoral scientists’ and engineers’ employment and salary levels by region and by state. 

Of the 10 regions, the study found the South Atlantic region (DE, DC, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, and WV) employs 18.4 percent of the nation’s 518,440 doctoral scientists and engineers. Following closely behind is the Pacific region (AK, CA, HI, OR, and WA), with employment rates of 18.1 percent. The East South Central region (AL, KY, MS, and TN) employs the fewest, accounting for just 4.3 percent of the total. 

Tables 24 and 58 of the report provide state-by-state breakouts of employment and salaries by broad field. These statistics can be useful measures of the progress and effectiveness of regional and state investment in science and technology-based economic development. The report is issued by NSF every two years. For more information or to view the complete report, visit: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/cdse/start.htm  

Additionally, in February, the National Science Foundation released detailed statistical tables for science and engineering degrees awarded from 1966 through 1997. Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degree data are included in the 87-page report. While none of the 63 tables characterize the data geographically, the information may still be useful for state S&T programs as they explore workforce issues and educational trends for science and engineering in their own states. Science and Engineering Degrees: 1966-1997 (NSF 00-310) can be downloaded from: http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/sed/start.htm