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Help & Tutorials

National Compensation Survey - Field Definitions

Thermometer area (explanation of work level):

This graphic indicates the total points and corresponding work level currently selected based on the 9 factors. The value will change with each selection. If the calculated work level is "Not Available" or "Out-of-Range" (as indicated by the color-coded thermometer), you may change any or all descriptive selections and view the effect on the thermometer. Alternatively, you may press the Back button to return to the previous screen and select from the available work levels in the drop down list box. The work level is derived from the following point ranges:

Level

Point Range

1

190-254

2

255-454

3

455-654

4

655-854

5

855-1,104

6

1,105-1,354

7

1,355-1,604

8

1,605-1,854

9

1,855-2,104

10

2,105-2,354

11

2,355-2,754

12

2,755-3,154

13

3,155-3,604

14

3,605-4,054

15

4,055+

Factor descriptions and points:

This window lists each level and the associated points for each of the 9 job factors. Highlight the job factor and select the appropriate description. A check mark will appear next to the completed job factor and a "o" will appear next to the selected description. Point values are assigned to each description. As you make selections for each of the 9 job factors, the system will sum the point value associated with each of your selections and derive a work level. You will also be able to track your progress by watching the thermometer at the bottom of the screen. The resulting work level and point total will appear beneath the job factors window. The following table indicates the available point values for each job factor:

Factor

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Knowledge

50

200

350

550

750

950

1,250

1,550

1,850

Supervision received

25

125

275

450

650

X

X

X

X

Guidelines

25

125

275

450

650

X

X

X

X

Complexity

25

75

150

225

325

450

X

X

X

Scope and effect

25

75

150

225

325

450

X

X

X

Personal contacts

10

25

60

110

X

X

X

X

X

Purpose of contacts

20

50

120

220

X

X

X

X

X

Physical demands

5

20

50

X

X

X

X

X

X

Work environment

5

20

50

X

X

X

X

X

X

Out-of-Range:

All levels are not valid for all occupations. Out-of-Range levels are color-coded gray on the thermometer and will not result in a wage estimate (published or modeled). These levels are either too high or too low for the chosen occupation.

Data Not Available:

In cases where published estimates are not available, modeled estimates are provided. Modeled estimates are not available for all areas, occupations, and work levels because regression coefficients used to derive modeled estimates are calculated annually relevant to a specific reference period. Modeled estimates are not available for those localities that publish after this reference period.

Published Estimates:

Published estimates are those tabulated directly from the collected data. All published estimates have been reviewed and meet BLS publication standards.

Modeled Estimates:

In cases where published estimates are not available, modeled estimates are provided. Modeled estimates are derived from linear regression techniques used to produce coefficients for area, occupation, and work level. These coefficients are summed to derive a modeled hourly wage estimate. Each area, occupation, and work level is assigned a coefficient based on its relative contribution to the national average. For more information on this topic see Pierce, Brooks, "Using the National Compensation Survey to Predict Wage Rates," Compensation and Working Conditions, Winter 1999, pp. 8-16 or visit the CWC Online publication available by first accessing the NCS home page.

Typical Factors:

The Typical Factors describe the most common combinations of the 9 job factors for a given work level. These factors are used to tabulate a modeled estimate when the user opts not to work through the job factors and instead selects a work level from the drop down list box on the first screen.

 

Last Modified Date: November 01, 2002