Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals includes occupations such as Conservators, Metallurgists, Meteorologists and Physicists.
Tasks
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plans and organises the conservation of materials and objects in libraries, archives, museums, art galleries and other institutions
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researches, develops, controls and provides advice on processes used in extracting metals from their ores, and processes used for casting, alloying, heat treating or welding refined metals, alloys and other materials to produce commercial metal products or develop new alloys and processes. Registration or licensing may be required
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studies the physics and dynamics of the atmosphere to increase understanding of weather and climate, and to forecast changes in the weather and long-term climatic trends
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studies matter, space, time, energy, forces and fields and the interrelationship between these physical phenomena to further understanding of the laws governing the behaviour of the universe, and seeks to apply these laws to solve practical problems and discover new information about the earth and the universe.
Characteristics
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University
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Practical
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Analytical
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Sedentary
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Light
-
Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:
- is expected to grow moderately
- is likely to reach 11,300 by 2026.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 9,300 |
2012 | 8,400 |
2013 | 7,200 |
2014 | 7,800 |
2015 | 9,000 |
2016 | 13,700 |
2017 | 7,500 |
2018 | 12,100 |
2019 | 12,700 |
2020 | 13,900 |
2021 | 10,900 |
2026 | 11,300 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 74% of people employed as Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 8 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median full-time earnings are $2,136 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
- 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,358
- 1 in 4 earn more than $2,494
Median hourly earnings are $57, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
Earnings | Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Full-Time Earnings | 2,136 | 1,593 |
Total Earnings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Industries
Main industries
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Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals work in industries like:
- Health care and social assistance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts and recreation services
- Public administration and safety.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 26.7 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.3 | 25.6 |
QLD | 16.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.6 | 7.0 |
WA | 15.7 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 5.4 | 1.9 |
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Around 73% of Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Perth - South East.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals is 35 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 41% of the workforce. This is 7 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 9.4 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 39.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 15.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 5.9 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 3.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 35 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A bachelor degree in a related field is usually needed to work as an Other Natural or Physical Science Professional. Some workers have a postgraduate qualification.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 47.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 43.7 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 3.8 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 1.8 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 2.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.3 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.4 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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71%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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68%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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63%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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59%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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57%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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57%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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57%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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57%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
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55%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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55%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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55%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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52%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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48%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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48%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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46%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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45%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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45%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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45%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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86%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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83%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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83%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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81%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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67%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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66%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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65%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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63%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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60%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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58%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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54%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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46%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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41%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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40%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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39%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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37%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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34%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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33%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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32%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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29%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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70%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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68%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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66%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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64%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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61%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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59%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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59%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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59%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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57%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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57%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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57%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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55%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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54%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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52%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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52%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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48%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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43%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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86%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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84%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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84%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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83%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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82%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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81%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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81%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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76%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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76%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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75%
Explaining things to peopleHelping people to understand and use information.
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73%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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72%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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72%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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71%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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70%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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65%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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65%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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64%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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63%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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60%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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52%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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38%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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81%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
76%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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76%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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74%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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57%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Demands
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99%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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92%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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88%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
-
85%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
84%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
84%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
84%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
82%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
77%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
75%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
74%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
-
73%
Letters and memosWrite letters and memos.
-
72%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
-
71%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
69%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
-
67%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
-
65%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
-
64%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
62%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-2032.00 - Materials Scientists.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.