What Percentage Of PhDs Stay In Academia? PhD Graduates Career Options

PhD graduates often enter their programs with the goal of pursuing a career in academia, but the reality is that not many will be able to. What percentage of PhDs stay in Academia?

Generally, less than 20% of PhDs eventually become tenured professors. Many PhDs found themselves in industry, working for corporations, governments, NGOs and more. There, their skills are highly sought after.

This article explore the question what percentage of PhDs stay in academia. It also looks into why PhDs leave academia, and the jobs they usually do outside of the academic world.

What Percentage Of PhDs Stay In Academia?

If you’re wondering what percentage of PhD graduates stay in academia, the numbers might surprise you. According to The Atlantic, less than 20% of PhDs become tenured professors. 

That’s right—only a small fraction of those who earn doctoral degrees land a permanent academic job.

According to the National Science Foundation, only 3.5% of PhD graduates in science and engineering are in tenure track positions three years after graduation. It’s even more competitive for those in the social sciences.

Many PhD students enter their programs dreaming of becoming professors. But after years of postdoctoral research, many find that permanent academic jobs are scarce.

This reality is especially stark in fields like physics, where the American Institute of Physics reports that less than 10% of new physics PhDs obtain a tenure-track position.

Many graduates, despite their strong research experience, leave academia for jobs in industry or the public sector.

How Is A PhD Career In Academia Like?

The journey to a career in academia after completing a doctorate is often a long and complex path, marked by a mix of intellectual fulfillment and professional challenges.

Research

At the heart of an academic career is research. PhD graduates often pursue research-focused positions, aiming to become experts in their field. This can involve:

• conducting original academic research, 
• publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals,
• presenting at conferences, and
• securing funding through grants.

The ability to consistently publish high-quality research is crucial for career advancement, especially for those seeking tenure-track positions.

However, this can also be a source of stress, as competition for recognition and funding is intense.

Teaching And Supervising

Teaching is another essential component of an academic career. Many PhDs will find themselves:

• teaching undergraduate and graduate courses,
• mentoring students, and
• overseeing doctoral candidates.

For some, this is the most rewarding part of the job, providing an opportunity to influence and inspire students.

However, balancing teaching responsibilities with research can be challenging, particularly for early-career academics.

Administration

The PhD academic career path also includes administrative roles. Academics are often required to participate in:

• department committees,
• peer-review academic papers, and
• contribute to the broader functioning of their institutions. 

These tasks can add to an already demanding workload, requiring strong time-management skills.

Do All PhDs Become Professors?

Not all PhDs become professors. In fact, only a small percentage of PhD graduates end up as full-time professors, despite many starting out with the goal of pursuing an academic career.

According to the American Institute of Physics, the fraction of physics PhD students who obtain permanent academic jobs has historically hovered around 10%.

For life sciences and engineering PhDs, the number is even lower. This stark ratio means many PhDs who start with the dream of becoming a tenured professor will shift to other careers, either by choice or necessity.

The academic job market is highly competitive, especially for tenure-track positions. You’ll need to stand out by:

• publishing research in top journals,
• building a network, and
• securing grants. 

New PhDs often go through one or more postdoc positions to deepen their research portfolio. A postdoc is like an academic apprenticeship that helps you develop your research expertise, but it’s not a guarantee of a permanent position in academia.

Even if you want to stay in academia, many positions are now contract-based or adjunct, offering little stability.

Permanent tenure-track faculty positions are rare and can take 3.5 years or more to secure.

For STEM graduates, the path is often more research-focused, while in social sciences, teaching experience plays a significant role.

Why Do PhDs Leave Academic Career?

Many PhDs leave higher education for a variety of reasons, and the decision often comes after years of grappling with the realities of the academic job market. 

Here are five key reasons why many PhDs leave academia:

Lack Of Tenure-Track Positions / Bad Postdoc Experience

Tenure-track positions are the gold standard for those wanting to stay in academia. But the number of these positions is shrinking, while the number of PhD graduates is rising.

Many PhDs spend years in postdoc roles or temporary teaching jobs without ever securing a permanent position.

With so few opportunities available, some PhDs realize they may never become professors and look for more stable careers elsewhere.

High Pressure To Publish

Academic careers are often defined by a “publish or perish” mentality. The pressure to constantly produce research papers, secure grants, and attend conferences can be exhausting.

New PhD graduates often find themselves in a race to publish, especially in highly competitive fields like science and engineering.

This relentless pressure can be overwhelming, leading many to seek careers in the public or private sector where research output isn’t tied to their professional survival.

Lack Of Job Security

Even if you do land an academic job, the lack of long-term security can be frustrating. Many PhDs spend years bouncing between postdoc positions or adjunct roles, which offer little in the way of:

• benefits,
• stability, or
• pay. 

The reality is that tenure-track positions, which come with the promise of long-term employment, are becoming rare.

Without the possibility of a permanent position, some PhDs decide that academia isn’t worth the uncertainty.

Better Pay And Work-Life Balance Outside Academia

The financial realities of academia can be discouraging. A PhD may take you over a decade to complete, and the starting salaries for academic jobs often don’t reflect that investment.

According to the National Science Foundation, many PhD graduates in engineering and life sciences find more lucrative opportunities in industry or the public sector.

There, their skills are highly valued, and the work-life balance is better.

This is especially appealing to those who want more control over their careers and personal lives.

Interest In Applying Skills In Real-World Settings

Many PhD graduates realize that they don’t want to stay in research or academic theory forever. Instead, they want to apply their skills in practical, real-world settings.

STEM graduates often find that industry roles in tech, biotech, or government offer opportunities to use their research skills in a more applied way. Even PhDs from social sciences can transition into roles where they can:

• influence policy,
• work in think tanks, or
• manage large-scale projects.

Doctorate Jobs Outside Of Academia

Now that we know what percentage of PhDs stay in academia (less than 0%), the next question would be – what jobs do PhDs do outside of academia? Here’s a few popular ones.

Industry Research Scientist

Many PhDs, especially those in science and engineering fields, transition into industry research roles. If you have a strong research background and want to continue innovating, this path allows you to work on real-world problems.

In biotech or pharmaceutical companies, PhD holders are integral to developing new technologies or medicines.

While you might start as a research scientist, you could quickly move into senior positions, depending on the company and your expertise.

Data Scientist

PhD graduates in fields like physics, computer science, or social sciences often find data science an attractive option. With companies relying more on big data to make decisions, your ability to analyze complex datasets makes you invaluable.

Many PhDs in this role work for tech giants, financial institutions, or consultancies, where they design algorithms and predictive models.

The pay in these roles is often much higher than academic positions, making the switch even more appealing.

Management Consultant

Management consulting firms like McKinsey or Boston Consulting Group actively recruit PhDs for their problem-solving skills.

As a consultant, you’ll work on various business challenges, from strategy to operations. While it’s a fast-paced and demanding environment, many PhDs appreciate the variety and the chance to influence high-level decisions in major companies.

Some consulting firms even have specialized tracks for PhDs, recognizing their analytical abilities.

Policy Analyst

If you’re interested in shaping public policy, working as a policy analyst can be an exciting career path.

PhDs in social sciences, economics, or public health often find positions in government agencies or think tanks.

You’ll use your research skills to inform decision-making on issues like education, healthcare, or environmental policy. Many PhDs in these roles enjoy the chance to have a direct impact on society.

Patent Examiner/Patent Agent

PhD holders in STEM fields often become patent examiners or patent agents. If you enjoy diving deep into technical details, this career involves evaluating whether new inventions meet the criteria for patent protection.

You could work for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or private law firms. It’s a unique way to apply your research skills without staying in academia.

PhDs Do Well In Academia, And In Job Market

To answer the question what percentage of PhDs stay in academia, the answer is only about 10-20% of them end up securing permanent academic positions.

Many PhD graduates transition into roles outside academia due to limited tenure-track opportunities, the pressure to publish, and better pay or job security in other sectors.

Career paths like industry research, data science, and consulting offer fulfilling alternatives where research and analytical skills are valued.

For many PhDs, these roles provide the stability and balance often lacking in traditional academic careers.