Overview of BLS Statistics by Occupation

Workers are classified into occupational categories based upon the work they perform and their skills, education, training, and credentials. Two examples of occupations are accountants and auditors and janitors and cleaners. Some occupations are found in just one or two industries, but many occupations are found in a large number of industries.

Most BLS occupation data use the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) System, but some data are still based on an older occupational classification system. (See the SOC Implementation Schedule for more information.)

BLS publishes a large amount of information by occupation, including career information, employment levels and projections, and data on earnings and working conditions.

Information about careers and work-related topics:

Occupational Outlook Handbook

This publication describes the nature of the work, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects for a wide range of occupations.

Career Outlook

Career Outlook articles provide data and information on a variety of topics—including occupations and industries, pay and benefits, and more. These articles are helpful for students, career counselors, jobseekers, and others planning careers.

Data on the number of people employed in specific occupations:

Occupational Employment Statistics

BLS conducts an annual mail survey of establishments that provides data on employment and wages by occupation and industry for over 800 occupations and for about 400 industries throughout the Nation, and similar data for all states and selected metropolitan areas.

Current Population Survey

The monthly survey of U.S. households provides data on employment and earnings by occupation, along with age, gender, race, educational attainment, and other characteristics of workers in each occupation.

Wages by Area and Occupation:

Occupational Employment Statistics and National Compensation Survey

Wage data are available by occupation for the nation, regions, states, and many metropolitan areas. Wage data by area and occupation are from the National Compensation Survey, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey, or the Current Population Survey. See Wages by Area and Occupation to determine which information suits your needs.

More information: Wages by Area and Occupation.

Additional Data by Occupation:

Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities

This program provides data on nonfatal illnesses and injuries on the job and on worker fatalities by occupation and other worker characteristics.

Occupational Requirements Survey

This survey provides information about the physical demands, environmental conditions, mental and cognitive demands, and vocational preparation requirements of occupations.

Employment Projections

This program provides projections of the labor market 10 years into the future and other career information.

Minimum Wage Workers

BLS data on workers with hourly earnings at or below the prevailing federal minimum wage are described on the Overview of BLS Data on Minimum Wage Workers page.

Last Modified Date: November 9, 2016

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