The number of jobs in scientific fields will increase by 27% between now and the year 2000, according to a recent forecast by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
At this rate of gain, scientists will find their specialties listed among neither the fastest-growing occupations—such as paralegals, medical assistants, and physical therapists—nor the fastest-declining ones. Electronic assemblers, semiconductor processors, and railroad conductors have that distinction.
Regarding the scientific fields as a percentage of the national work force overall, things will remain pretty much as they are today. For example, natural scientists and computer specialists now make up 0.7% of the work force; in 2000, the BLS predicts, that figure will move up almost imperceptibly to 0.8%.
However, the outlook classifies most scientists as “professional workers,” a category that the BLS expects will grow more rapidiy than average. (Growth averaged 18% for all categories.) “Employment in many of the occupations ...
