Innovation Capabilities: Science and Engineering Employment in Canada and the United States

Abstract

This paper compares the size and composition of science and engineering employment in Canada and the United States. It examines the share of paid employment and paid earnings accounted for by the science and engineering workforce in both countries. Our tabulations distinguish between a core group and a related group of science and engineering workers. The core group includes computer and mathematical scientists, life scientists, physical scientists, social scientists, and engineers. The related group includes workers in health-related occupations, science and engineering managers, science and engineering technologists and technicians, a residual class of other science and engineering workers, and post-secondary educators in science and engineering fields. We examine the employment and earnings shares of science and engineering workers over the 1980-1981 to 2000-2001 period. Detailed industry comparisons are reported for 2000 and 2001.

Keywords: engineers, industrial innovations, research and development, sciences, scientists, technology

JEL Classification: O3