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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Life, physical, and social science occupations

This occupational group includes agricultural scientists, food scientists, biological scientists, medical scientists, astronomers, physicists, chemists, hydrologists, economists, survey researchers, psychologists, sociologists, urban planners, anthropologists, archeologists, geographers, historians, political scientists, and nuclear technicians.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2024, more than basic people skills were required for 92.8 percent of life, physical, and social science workers, and basic people skills were required for 7.2 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of life, physical, and social science workers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Adaptability: Work schedule variability	42.9	57.1
Pace: Pause control	86.5	13.5
Working around crowds	<5	>95
Telework	13.7	86.3
Work review: Supervising others	17.7	82.3
Work review: Presence of supervisor	46.6	53.4
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs.

In 2024, credentials were required for 57.7 percent of life, physical, and social science workers. Prior work experience was required for 66.6 percent and on-the-job training was required for 62.1 percent.

A bachelor's degree was required for 60.9 percent of life, physical, and social science workers.

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or difficulties that are in the vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2024, 96.2 percent of life, physical, and social science workers were not exposed to extreme cold, and greater than 90 percent were not exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 60.5 percent, and greater than 90 percent were not exposed to heavy vibrations.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2024, reaching at or below the shoulder was required for 73.5 percent of life, physical, and social science workers and was not required for 26.5 percent. For 37.8 percent of workers, reaching at or below the shoulder was seldom performed, for 26.4 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred occasionally, 9.4 percent frequently, and for less than 0.5 percent reaching at or below the shoulder occurred constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 69.0 percent of life, physical, and social science workers and was not required for 31.0 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 53.5 percent of life, physical, and social science workers. On average, workers spent 61.5 percent of the workday sitting and 38.5 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of life, physical, and social science workers with physical demands, 2024
Requirement	Yes	No
Choice of sitting or standing	53.5	46.5
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	19.5	80.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey