The national register looks at manpower Available to Purchase

DATA FROM THE 1968 National Register of Scientific and Technical Personnel showed that the physics and astronomy group

• earned a median salary of $14 000, the highest in the physical sciences and $800 higher than the median for all scientists.

• had the largest proportion of PhD's (447%) in the physical sciences and had 33% at a master's-degree level.

• was chiefly employed by educational institutions (48%) but only 21% were primarily teachers. 50% worked in research and development.

• had 56% receiving support for federal programs. This group did not include government employees.