Authorized by Section 48054 of P.L. 9-238, this division was established by Executive Order No. 83-010 to meet the requirements of 20 CFR, Section 214.2(h)(3)(iii) to conduct wage surveys for the construction, agricultural and non-agricultural industries.

The occupational usage survey provides periodic data on wages paid to workers in specific occupations which may be used to analyze the level and movement of wages in our population or labor markets. The construction and other occupational surveys are influenced not only be changes in earnings, but also by changes in employment structure resulting from workforce expansion or reduction, firms moving into or out of the locality, and turnover of establishments in survey samples. Primarily, by keeping wage data current for public information, the local workforce may be attracted to pursue career opportunities and/or seek employment in the job market.