A parting look at the National Register

Physicists and astronomers, according to the 1970 National Register of Scientific and Technical Personnel

▸ earned a median salary of $15 900; $1900 higher than they earned two years earlier and $900 higher than the median for all scientists.

▸ had an unemployment rate, in early 1970, of 2.1%, compared with 1.6% for all scientists and 1.0% at the time of the previous (1968) Register. Unemployment was substantially lower for those with PhD’s than for those who stopped with a master’s.

▸ continue to work for educational institutions more than for any other kind of employer, and work at research and development more than at any other kind of activity.