Profile of high skilled immigrants in medical professions in Massachusetts

1. B O S T O N R E D E V E L O P M E N T A U T H O R I T Y
R E S E A R C H D I V I S I O N
J U L Y 2 0 1 4
High-skilled Foreign-born in the
Medical Industry in Massachusetts
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2. Produced by the BRA Research Division:
Alvaro Lima – Director
Jonathan Lee – Deputy Director
Matthew Resseger – Senior Researcher/Economist
Kelly Dowd – Research Manager
Kevin Kang – Research Associate
Nicoya Borella – Research Assistant
Interns:
Jinxin/Roddrick Ma
Isaac Rynowecer
Kevin Wandrei
Rohan Lewis
Gideon Ponio
The BRA Research Division strives to understand the current environment of the city to produce quality research and targeted
information that will inform and benefit the residents and businesses of Boston. The Division conducts research on Boston's economy,
population, and commercial markets for all departments of the BRA, the City of Boston, and related organizations.
The information provided in this report is the best available at the time of its publication.
All or partial use of this report must be cited. Our preferred citation is as follows:
Boston Redevelopment Authority/Research Division, June 2014
For more information about research produced by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, please contact Kelly Dowd,
Research Manager, by email at kelly.dowd@boston.gov or by telephone at (617) 918-4474.
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3. Target Population Criteria
3
In the Massachusetts civilian labor force
Works in the Medical Industry defined by NAICS Code 62, Healthcare
and Social Assistance
Works in occupations where at least 50% or more of workers have a
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Foreign-born
Possesses a Bachelor’s degree or higher

4. High-skilled W0rkers in the Medical Industry
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Bachelor’s
Degree or
Higher:
66.8%
Foreign
Born:
16.6%
TARGET POPULATION
Workers in the medical industry in Massachusetts: 258,815
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
• 66.8% of workers in the medical
industry have a bachelor’s degree
or higher.
• 16.6% are foreign born.
• Our target population for this
analysis is the 12.4% who are
foreign-born and have a
bachelor’s degree or higher.

5. 5
High-skilled Foreign-born in the Medical
Industry in Massachusetts

6. Race and Ethnicity
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38.7%
38.4%
14.3%
6.1%
2.5%
White Asian Black/African American Hispanic Other
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis

7. Age
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1.9%
28.6%
30.0%
24.2%
11.3%
4.1%
16-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-65 >65
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis

8. Sex
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58.3%
41.7%
Female Male
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis

9. Top 10 Countries of Origin
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Rank Country %
1 India 11.6%
2 China 8.9%
3 Canada 4.7%
4 Haiti 4.7%
5 Philippines 4.3%
6 Korea 3.7%
7 Vietnam 2.3%
8 Russia 2.2%
9 Iran 2.1%
10 Germany 1.9%
Other 53.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis

10. Top 10 Languages Spoken at Home
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis
Rank Language %
1 English 24.5%
2 Chinese 8.3%
3 French/French Creole 7.9%
4 Russian 5.3%
5 Spanish 5.2%
6 Hindi 4.0%
7 Tagalog 3.7%
8 Portuguese 3.0%
9 Arabic 2.9%
10 Korean 2.3%
Other 32.9%

11. Major Occupations
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• Includes: Chiropractors, Dentists, Dieticians, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Physicians,
Surgeons, Physician Assistants, Podiatrists, Therapists, Registered Nurses, Nurse
Practitioners, etc.
Health Diagnosing and Treating
Practitioners 55.9%
• Includes: Biological Scientists and Medical Scientists
Life Scientists 11.4%
• Includes: Clinical Laboratory Technicians, Dental Hygienists, EMTs, Licensed Practical
and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians,
etc.
Health Technologists and Technicians
9.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey, Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), BRA Research Division Analysis