The STEM Labor Force: Scientists, Engineers, and Skilled Technical Workers

To remain competitive in today’s global economy, businesses and societies rely on contributions from the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. This report provides an overview of the STEM labor force and details its size, growth, educational pathways, salary, and diversity.
STEM workers are integral to the development and support of innovation and technological advancement. They also transform these advancements into tangible and useful goods and services through their skills and knowledge. The use of STEM skills is widespread in the United States, with STEM workers making up nearly a quarter of the total workforce and more than half holding less than a bachelor’s degree. Read more…
The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2024
The global competitiveness of the United States is supported through the nation’s STEM talent, R&D-driven discovery, and translation of knowledge into the economy and society through innovation. The United States is the largest performer of R&D, but the overall balance of global science and engineering (S&E) resources and activity continues a long-term shift toward other areas of the world. The United States is distinguished by the strength of U.S. universities as destinations for international students, its highly cited and collaborative S&E research, and its leadership in high-technology services. Read more…