Scientific

• The vast majority of bachelor’s degree holders in political science find employment in niche areas with specialized titles, such as market analyst, research assistant, writer, or policy analyst.
• Employment growth of political scientists is projected to grow faster than the average.
• Candidates who hold a master’s or Ph.D. degree will have the best employment prospects and advancement opportunities; competition for teaching positions, while keen, should ease as the expected number of retirements increases.
• Quantitative and qualitative skills are important for all workers.

• The vast majority of bachelor’s degree holders in sociology find employment in niche areas with specialized titles, such as market analyst, research assistant, writer, or policy analyst.
• Employment growth of sociologists is projected to grow much faster than average.
• Candidates who hold a master’s or Ph.D. degree will have the best employment prospects and advancement opportunities; competition for teaching positions, while keen, should ease as the expected number of retirements increases.
• Quantitative and qualitative skills are important for all workers.

• A bachelor's degree in engineering usually is required; many sales engineers have previous work experience in an engineering specialty.
• Competition for jobs is expected.
• Earnings typically are based on a combination of salary and commission.

• About 22 percent of technicians worked in government agencies that enforce rules on safety, health, and the environment.
• Technicians attend postsecondary school or enter the occupation through work experience and training.
• Individuals with a well-rounded breadth of knowledge in more than one health and safety specialty will have the best job prospects.

• Excellent job opportunities are expected.
• Clinical laboratory technologists usually have a bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology or in one of the life sciences; clinical laboratory technicians generally need either an associate degree or a certificate.
• Most jobs will continue to be in hospitals, but employment will grow rapidly in other settings, as well.

Key Points

• Many science technicians work indoors in laboratory settings, but certain technicians work outdoors, sometimes in remote locations.
• Most science technicians need some postsecondary training, such as an associate degree or a certificate in applied science or science-related technology; biological and forensic science technicians usually need a bachelor's degree.
• Overall growth is expected to be about as fast as average, although growth will vary by specialty.
• Job opportunities are expected to be best for graduates of applied science technology programs who are well trained on equipment used in laboratories or production facilities.

• Market and survey researchers can enter the occupation with a bachelor's degree, but those with a master’s or Ph.D. in marketing or a social science should enjoy the best opportunities.
• Researchers need strong quantitative skills and, increasingly, knowledge of conducting web-based surveys.
• Employment is expected to grow much faster than average.

• Work at remote field sites is common.
• Twenty-three percent of all geoscientists and hydrologists are employed in government.
• Employers prefer applicants with a master's degree for most positions; a Ph.D. degree is required for most research and college teaching positions.
• Excellent job opportunities are expected for geoscientists with a master's degree.

• Federal, State, and local governments employ 44 percent of all environmental scientists and specialists.
• A bachelor’s degree in any life or physical science is generally sufficient for most entry-level positions, although many employers prefer a master’s degree.
• Job prospects are expected to be favorable, particularly for environmental health workers in State and local government.

• Most medical scientists need a Ph.D. in a biological science; some also hold a medical degree.
• Some medical scientists work in research laboratories at universities and hospitals; others work for pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.
• Medical scientists with both a Ph.D. and M.D. are likely to have the best opportunities.