At what rate are physics departments hiring early career physicists?

In 1995-96, 1,438 PhDs were granted by US physics departments.

Faculty hired by PhD granting institutions '95-'96
(approximate total number 200)

Shown are the previous occupations of new faculty hired by PhD granting physics departments in 1995-96. In some cases it is indicated whether these new hires received their PhD anytime before 1992 or between 1992 and 1995. These new faculty were hired into tenured, tenure-track, or temporary positions. The numbers shown within each bar are the approximate total number of hires in that category. Temporary positions are those such as sabbatical leave replacement, research staff, adjunct or visiting professor, or lecturer. Previous occupation of "Academic" includes all ranks from professor to temporary lecturer. Previous occupation of "Research Scientist" includes industry, government labs, and some university positions. 19% of all these new hires received their degree from a foreign institution.

Faculty hired by bachelors and masters granting institutions '95-'96

(approximate total number 200)

Shown are the previous occupations of new faculty hired by bachelors and masters granting physics departments in 1995-96. Almost all of these new hires received their PhD from a US university.

All of these numbers are estimates based on responses from institutions describing approximately 2/3 of the new hires.

PhD physicists are also hired into faculty positions in university departments other than physics departments. Hires by other departments increase the total number of hires of PhD physicists by about 25%.

Thanks to Roman Czujko and Christine Cassagnau for providing these statistics based on AIP 1995-96 Academic Workforce report, AIP Pub. No. R-392.2