Innovation
Science and Engineering Occupations: Arizona
Description: Occupational employment and wage data are collected annually via a survey of employers. Only one-third of the survey is conducted each year. Thus, the latest data labeled “2006” consists of information collected during 2004, 2005, and 2006. Data are available by metropolitan area, county, state, and the nation. Employment and wage data are reported for 22 occupational groups and hundreds of occupations, though much of the data are withheld due to federal disclosure restrictions.
This is one of three indicators presenting occupational data. Employment and annual wage data are displayed on the dashboard for Arizona for 2000 through 2006, overall and for the three occupational groups most closely related to science and engineering: computer and mathematical; architecture and engineering; and life, physical, and social sciences.
Rationale: Occupational data are more useful than industrial data in identifying certain types of activity, such as high technology, that are related to innovation. Employment shares that are above average in highly skilled, highly paid occupations indicate that a workforce is positioned to make innovative advances. Geographic areas with below-market wages in these occupations will have a more difficult time attracting workers or firms.
Data Sources: Data for Arizona, including counties and metro areas within the state, are available from the Arizona Department of Economic Security http://www.workforce.az.gov/?PAGEID=67&SUBID=160. These data, as well as national data and data for other states, also can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Survey http://www.bls.gov/oes/home.htm.
Comments on the Quality of the Data: The data are subject to sampling error. Each year’s data is compiled over three years; because of this, comparisons over time are best made over three-year intervals.
