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For release 10:00 A.M. (ET) Tuesday, December 22, 2020 USDL-20-2307 Technical information: (202) 691-6199 orsinfo@bls.gov www.bls.gov/ors Media contact: (202) 691-5902 pressoffice@bls.gov OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2020 On average, civilian workers spent 4.25 hours of the workday standing in 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Workers stood for 57.3 percent of the workday and spent the rest of the workday sitting. The choice to sit or stand to perform critical tasks in support of critical job functions was available to 42.5 percent of civilian workers. (See table 1.) Workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations spent 64.5 percent of the workday standing. These workers stood an average of 5.47 hours a day. Within this occupational group, medical records specialists spent 1.50 hours, or 19.1 percent, of the workday standing and surgical technologists stood for 8.02 hours, or 88.6 percent, of the workday. (See table 1.) Seventy-one percent of the workday was spent standing for workers in healthcare support occupations with 5.04 hours standing. Within this occupational group, dental assistants spent 3.95 hours, or 49.5 percent, of the workday standing and nursing assistants stood for 7.29 hours, or 86.0 percent, of the workday. (See table 1.) The choice to sit or stand was available to 32.2 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations. Within this occupational group, no surgical technologists and 77.4 percent of medical records specialists had the choice between sitting and standing. (See table 1.) The choice to sit or stand was available to 17.8 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations. Within this occupational group, a choice between sitting and standing was available to 13.0 percent of nursing assistants and to 26.3 percent of dental assistants. Sixteen percent of civilian workers were required to problem solve more than once per day and 58.1 percent were required to problem solve less often than monthly, including never. (See table 2.) In order to separate routine decisions from problem solving, workers must be faced with new or different problems that have no obvious solution and require time, at least 5 minutes, to consider the best solution. Situations where workers are trained to respond quickly, such as a medical emergency, do not meet the threshold for problem solving. Thirty-five percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations were required to problem solve more than once per day. Within this occupational group, 76.5 percent of occupational therapists were required to problem solve more than once per day. (See table 2.) Ninety percent of workers in healthcare support occupations were required to problem solve less often than monthly, including never. Within this occupational group, 94.2 percent of psychiatric aides were required to problem solve less often than monthly, including never. (See table 2.) Constant verbal interactions, every few minutes were present for 28.8 percent of civilian workers. (See table 3.) Occupations with this requirement include: * 34.8 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations * 36.0 percent of nurse practitioners * 46.9 percent of physician assistants * 39.1 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations * 22.7 percent of dental assistants * 56.6 percent of nursing assistants Fifty percent of civilian workers were required to perform verbal interactions not constantly, but more than once per hour. (See table 3.) Occupations with this requirement include: * 61.0 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations * 53.1 percent of physician assistants * 63.9 percent of nurse practitioners * 54.1 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations * 42.2 percent of nursing assistants * 77.2 percent of dental assistants A high school diploma was the minimum formal education required for 40.4 percent of civilian workers and an associate's degree was required for 4.3 percent of civilian workers. A high school diploma was the minimum education required for 18.0 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations and 17.9 percent required an associate's degree. Within this occupational group, 83.2 percent of medical records specialists needed a high school diploma to fulfill minimum formal education requirements. An associate's degree was required for 49.0 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. (See table 4.) A high school diploma was the minimum education required for 65.3 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations and 5.4 percent required an associate's degree. Within the occupational group, 90.3 percent of phlebotomists required a high school diploma to fulfill minimum formal education requirements. (See table 4.) Exposure to wetness was present for 34.2 percent of civilian workers. (See table 5.) * Wetness was present for 76.7 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations. Within this occupational group, 89.0 percent of dental hygienists and 90.0 percent of emergency medical technicians were exposed to wetness. * Wetness was present for 86.1 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations. Within this occupational group, 94.8 percent of psychiatric aides and 96.1 percent of nursing assistants were exposed to wetness. Outdoor exposure was present for 33.8 percent of civilian workers. The other 66.2 percent of civilian workers were not exposed to the outdoors. (See table 5.) * Exposure to the outdoors was required for 8.7 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations. Within this occupational group, 88.7 percent of emergency medical technicians were exposed to the outdoors and 98.2 percent of pharmacy technicians were not exposed to the outdoors. * Outdoor exposure was present for 35.8 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations. Within this occupational group, 74.0 percent of home health aides were exposed to the outdoors and 100.0 percent of dental assistants were not exposed to the outdoors. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ | | | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Impact on the 2020 Occupational Requirements Survey | | The collection period for the ORS 2020 data was August 2019 through July 31, 2020. Information related to| | the impact of COVID-19 on the ORS is available at www.bls.gov/covid19/effects-of-covid-19-on-workplace- | | injuries-and-illnesses-compensation-and-occupational-requirements.htm#ORS. | |__________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
Occupation and occupational group | Average hours of sitting | Average percent of workday day spent sitting | Average hours of standing | Average percent of workday spent standing | Choice of sitting or standing | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Estimate | Standard error | Estimate | Standard error | Estimate | Standard error | Estimate | Standard error | Allowed | Not allowed | Standard error | |
All workers | 3.37 | [1] | 42.7 | 0.5 | 4.25 | [1] | 57.3 | 0.5 | 42.5 | 57.5 | 0.6 |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 2.95 | 0.09 | 35.5 | 1.1 | 5.47 | 0.12 | 64.5 | 1.1 | 32.2 | 67.8 | 1.8 |
Pharmacists | 1.62 | 0.13 | 24.8 | 3.4 | 5.73 | 0.37 | 75.2 | 3.4 | 45.2 | 54.8 | 7.5 |
Physician assistants | 3.38 | 0.29 | 36.4 | 2.5 | 5.64 | 0.23 | 63.6 | 2.5 | 64.8 | 35.2 | 10.3 |
Physical therapists | 1.70 | 0.21 | 23.2 | 2.8 | 5.69 | 0.30 | 76.8 | 2.8 | 42.7 | 57.3 | 10.6 |
Respiratory therapists | 2.80 | 0.34 | 30.9 | 4.3 | 6.55 | 0.56 | 69.1 | 4.3 | - | - | - |
Registered nurses | 2.61 | 0.18 | 30.3 | 1.8 | 6.24 | 0.12 | 69.7 | 1.8 | 22.5 | 77.5 | 4.6 |
Nurse midwives | 3.04 | 0.48 | 37.4 | 5.9 | 5.17 | 0.56 | 62.6 | 5.9 | - | - | - |
Nurse practitioners | 2.97 | 0.60 | 37.3 | 7.2 | 4.99 | 0.51 | 62.7 | 7.2 | 40.4 | 59.6 | 13.1 |
Dental hygienists | 5.42 | 0.40 | 70.3 | 3.7 | 2.29 | 0.27 | 29.7 | 3.7 | - | - | - |
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | 3.56 | 0.36 | 43.1 | 4.0 | 4.45 | 0.34 | 56.9 | 4.0 | 45.6 | 54.4 | 10.8 |
Magnetic resonance imaging technologists | - | - | 35.0 | 6.9 | 4.90 | 0.39 | 65.0 | 6.9 | - | - | - |
Emergency medical technicians | 5.34 | 1.26 | 46.2 | 7.4 | 5.99 | 0.91 | 53.8 | 7.4 | - | 100.0 | [2] |
Pharmacy technicians | 1.01 | 0.37 | 12.7 | 4.6 | 6.36 | 0.42 | 87.3 | 4.6 | 32.2 | 67.8 | 9.5 |
Surgical technologists | 1.01 | 0.2 | 11.4 | 2.6 | 8.02 | 0.69 | 88.6 | 2.6 | - | 100 | [2] |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 2.42 | 0.25 | 27.9 | 2.8 | 6.17 | 0.24 | 72.1 | 2.8 | 15.5 | 84.5 | 3.5 |
Medical records specialists | 6.42 | 0.21 | 80.9 | 2.4 | 1.50 | 0.18 | 19.1 | 2.4 | 77.4 | 22.6 | 9.3 |
Opticians, dispensing | 4.40 | 0.89 | 58.6 | 13.0 | 3.23 | 1.04 | 41.4 | 13.0 | - | - | - |
Healthcare support occupations | 2.08 | 0.09 | 29.0 | 1.1 | 5.04 | 0.08 | 71.0 | 1.1 | 17.8 | 82.2 | 3.9 |
Personal care aides | 1.68 | 0.07 | 25.4 | 2.1 | 4.68 | 0.23 | 74.6 | 2.1 | 14.5 | 85.5 | 6.5 |
Nursing assistants | 1.20 | 0.09 | 14.0 | 0.9 | 7.29 | 0.31 | 86.0 | 0.9 | 13.0 | 87.0 | 4.5 |
Psychiatric aides | 1.85 | 0.40 | 23.4 | 5.0 | 6.08 | 0.41 | 76.6 | 5.0 | - | - | - |
Occupational therapy assistants | 2.66 | 0.47 | 33.5 | 5.8 | 5.26 | 0.46 | 66.5 | 5.8 | - | - | - |
Physical therapist assistants | 2.16 | 0.27 | 27.0 | 3.3 | 5.97 | 0.40 | 73.0 | 3.3 | - | - | - |
Dental assistants | 4.04 | 0.20 | 50.5 | 2.4 | 3.95 | 0.22 | 49.5 | 2.4 | 26.3 | 73.7 | 9.0 |
Phlebotomists | 2.63 | 0.62 | 33.2 | 7.2 | 5.16 | 0.50 | 66.8 | 7.2 | - | - | - |
[1] Standard error is less than 0.05. [2] Standard error is less than 0.5. Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. Due to rounding, sum of estimates may not equal 100 percent. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
Occupational group and detailed occupation by frequency | Required | Standard error |
---|---|---|
More than once per day | ||
All workers | 16.0 | 0.5 |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 35.0 | 2.7 |
Physician assistants | 66.5 | 8.3 |
Occupational therapists | 76.5 | 8.0 |
Physical therapists | 57.3 | 7.9 |
Nurse practitioners | 65.0 | 10.3 |
Obstetricians and gynecologists | 68.2 | 16.4 |
Emergency medical technicians | 27.7 | 8.9 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 15.0 | 4.0 |
Medical records specialists | 9.6 | 3.2 |
Less often than monthly, including never | ||
All workers | 58.1 | [1] |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 30.4 | 2.0 |
Dental hygienists | 68.8 | 6.5 |
Emergency medical technicians | 49.6 | 13.2 |
Pharmacy technicians | 92.1 | 5.0 |
Surgical technologists | 94.7 | 4.2 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 57.3 | 3.5 |
Medical records specialists | 61.5 | 6.8 |
Healthcare support occupations | 90.0 | 1.2 |
Home health aides | 100.0 | [1] |
Personal care aides | 92.6 | 1.0 |
Nursing assistants | 90.7 | 5.9 |
Psychiatric aides | 94.2 | 3.8 |
Physical therapist assistants | 72.6 | 14.3 |
Dental assistants | 92.6 | 3.5 |
Medical assistants | 76.9 | 5.0 |
Medical equipment preparers | 92.7 | 3.3 |
Phlebotomists | 84.7 | 9.1 |
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5. Note: This table does not include all categories of problem solving frequency Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
Occupational group and detailed occupation | Required constantly, every few minutes | Required not constantly, but more than once per hour | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Estimate | Standard error | Estimate | Standard error | |
All workers | 28.8 | 0.6 | 50.0 | 0.6 |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 34.8 | 2.0 | 61.0 | 1.8 |
Pharmacists | 58.8 | 8.3 | 32.8 | 6.7 |
Physician assistants | 46.9 | 10.9 | 53.1 | 10.9 |
Occupational therapists | 34.0 | 13.2 | 65.9 | 13.2 |
Physical therapists | 48.6 | 10.8 | 48.2 | 10.8 |
Recreational therapists | 36.3 | 7.1 | 61.1 | 8.0 |
Respiratory therapists | - | - | 73.0 | 12.0 |
Speech-language pathologists | 59.1 | 11.5 | 40.7 | 11.4 |
Registered nurses | 35.6 | 4.2 | 62.7 | 4.0 |
Nurse midwives | - | - | 87.4 | 9.0 |
Nurse practitioners | 36.0 | 9.3 | 63.9 | 9.3 |
Obstetricians and gynecologists | - | - | 77.9 | 8.9 |
Dental hygienists | - | - | 78.1 | 5.4 |
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | - | - | 65.6 | 10.5 |
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians | - | - | 81.7 | 10.6 |
Diagnostic medical sonographers | - | - | 88.4 | 6.2 |
Nuclear medicine technologists | 24.5 | 7.1 | 69.9 | 7.6 |
Emergency medical technicians | 28.9 | 6.3 | 59.8 | 8.0 |
Pharmacy technicians | 44.8 | 7.1 | 55.1 | 7.2 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 47.8 | 5.1 | 51.1 | 4.9 |
Medical records specialists | - | - | 53.0 | 6.5 |
Opticians, dispensing | - | - | 88.3 | 7.2 |
Genetic counselors | - | - | 57.4 | 9.9 |
Healthcare support occupations | 39.1 | 2.5 | 54.1 | 1.8 |
Home health aides | - | - | 66.0 | 15.4 |
Personal care aides | 39.1 | 5.3 | 50.8 | 7.6 |
Nursing assistants | 56.6 | 9.3 | 42.2 | 9.0 |
Psychiatric aides | - | - | 77.4 | 13 |
Physical therapist assistants | 75.0 | 13.9 | - | - |
Dental assistants | 22.7 | 4.9 | 77.2 | 4.9 |
Medical assistants | 53.6 | 6.8 | 46.1 | 6.7 |
Phlebotomists | 65.9 | 14.1 | 34.1 | 14.1 |
Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. This table does not include all categories of verbal interaction frequency Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
Occupational group and detailed occupation by minimum formal education | Required | Standard error |
---|---|---|
High school diploma | ||
All workers | 40.4 | 0.7 |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 18.0 | 1.7 |
Recreational therapists | 12.6 | 4.8 |
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | 45.3 | 12.0 |
Nuclear medicine technologists | 7.0 | 3.1 |
Emergency medical technicians | 81.1 | 7.5 |
Pharmacy technicians | 85.8 | 6.0 |
Surgical technologists | 58.1 | 16.6 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 33.1 | 8.3 |
Medical records specialists | 83.2 | 5.2 |
Healthcare support occupations | 65.3 | 3.1 |
Home health aides | 58.7 | 13.7 |
Personal care aides | 62.0 | 7.5 |
Nursing assistants | 74.9 | 6.7 |
Psychiatric aides | 83.8 | 8.8 |
Dental assistants | 62.3 | 8.4 |
Medical assistants | 70.1 | 7.1 |
Medical equipment preparers | 100.0 | [1] |
Phlebotomists | 90.3 | 9.1 |
Associate's degree | ||
All workers | 4.3 | [1] |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 17.9 | 1.3 |
Radiation therapists | 13.7 | 5.5 |
Respiratory therapists | 40.0 | 13.7 |
Registered nurses | 24.9 | 2.8 |
Diagnostic medical sonographers | 16.5 | 5.2 |
Nuclear medicine technologists | 26.5 | 6.6 |
Radiologic technologists and technicians | 29.6 | 8.2 |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 49.0 | 6.1 |
Medical records specialists | 9.1 | 2.4 |
Healthcare support occupations | 5.4 | 1.0 |
Occupational therapy assistants | 62.6 | 14.6 |
Physical therapist assistants | 65.6 | 11.2 |
Medical assistants | 11.5 | 4.1 |
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5. Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. This table does not include all categories of minimum formal education. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
Occupation and occupational group | Exposure to wetness | Exposure to the outdoors | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Required | Not required | Standard error | Required | Not required | Standard error | |
All workers | 34.2 | 65.8 | 0.6 | 33.8 | 66.2 | 0.5 |
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | 76.7 | 23.3 | 1.6 | 8.7 | 91.3 | 0.7 |
Pharmacists | 63.9 | 36.1 | 8.9 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Physician assistants | 90.2 | - | 4.7 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Occupational therapists | 83.6 | 16.4 | 7.9 | - | 90.3 | [1] |
Physical therapists | 67.5 | 32.5 | 10.7 | - | 85.5 | 9.0 |
Radiation therapists | 57.8 | - | 15.6 | - | 99.2 | 0.9 |
Recreational therapists | 54.0 | 46.0 | 7.9 | 63.9 | 36.1 | 8.8 |
Respiratory therapists | 74.0 | - | 13.1 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Speech-language pathologists | 26.0 | 74.0 | 9.3 | - | 96.0 | 3.5 |
Exercise physiologists | 63.3 | 36.7 | 10.8 | - | 97.5 | 1.0 |
Registered nurses | 87.2 | 12.8 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 96.4 | 1.0 |
Nurse midwives | 97.9 | - | 2.7 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Nurse practitioners | 81.9 | - | 10.2 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Obstetricians and gynecologists | 89.1 | - | 8.8 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Dental hygienists | 89.0 | - | 9.8 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Medical and clinical laboratory technologists | 85.1 | - | 9.8 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Medical and clinical laboratory technicians | 84.7 | - | 4.6 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Cardiovascular technologists and technicians | 78.1 | - | 10.4 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Diagnostic medical sonographers | 83.7 | - | 3.4 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Nuclear medicine technologists | 76.1 | - | 5.4 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Emergency medical technicians | 90.0 | - | 3.7 | 88.7 | - | 2.1 |
Pharmacy technicians | 38.6 | 61.4 | 8.5 | - | 98.2 | 1.7 |
Surgical technologists | 98.6 | - | 1.2 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | 87.0 | 13 | 3.4 | 21.9 | 78.1 | 4.2 |
Opticians, dispensing | 66.0 | - | 16 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Healthcare support occupations | 86.1 | 13.9 | 1.9 | 35.8 | 64.2 | 2.0 |
Home health aides | 91.1 | - | 2.7 | 74.0 | 26.0 | 8.2 |
Personal care aides | 84.1 | 15.9 | 3.9 | 54.9 | 45.1 | 6.3 |
Nursing assistants | 96.1 | - | 1.8 | 21.9 | 78.1 | 3.8 |
Psychiatric aides | 94.8 | - | 4.1 | - | - | - |
Occupational therapy assistants | 95.7 | - | 1.5 | - | 87.2 | 5.4 |
Physical therapist assistants | 88.7 | 11.3 | 4.4 | - | 76.2 | 7.9 |
Dental assistants | 89.9 | - | 5.7 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Medical assistants | 82.9 | - | 8.8 | - | 99.7 | [1] |
Medical equipment preparers | 91.1 | - | 8.5 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
Phlebotomists | 90.4 | - | 8.3 | - | 100.0 | [1] |
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5. Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. Due to rounding, sum of estimates may not equal 100 percent. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey |
Technical Note The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) provides job-related information about the physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements in the U.S. economy. Additional job requirement estimates are available at www.bls.gov/web/ors/ors-complete-dataset.xlsx and www.bls.gov/ors/data.htm. For information on estimation concepts and methods see the Handbook of Methods at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/ors/home.htm and www.bls.gov/ors/questions-and-answers.htm. Sample size: The ORS is a nationally representative establishment-based survey. Estimates are produced from a probability sample of 20,000 establishments. There were 10,400 private industry and 2,300 state and local government responding establishments that provided approximately 59,700 occupational observations. The 2020 estimates represent 128,529,000 civilian workers. These estimates are from two of five sample groups and are considered preliminary. Data from all five sample groups collected between September 2018 and July 2023 will be aggregated to produce the final estimates with an expected reference year of 2023. Standard errors: To assist users in ascertaining the reliability of ORS estimates, standard errors are made available with the release. Standard errors provide users a measure of the precision of an estimate to ensure that it is within an acceptable range for their intended purpose. Collected and imputed data are included in the standard error calculation. For further information and how to use the standard errors see www.bls.gov/ors/se.htm. Major terms: Additional terminology and concepts are explained in the collection manual at www.bls.gov/ors/information-for-survey-participants/pdf/occupational-requirements-survey-collection-manual- 082019.pdf and the Handbook of Methods at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/ors/home.htm. Critical job function - This is the main purpose and the primary pay factor for the job. It consists of critical tasks that are integral to the job. Critical tasks - Activities workers must perform to carry out their critical job function(s). Sitting is present when workers remain in a seated position or are lying down. When workers may choose between sitting and standing, that work time is included in sitting for the hours and percent of workday estimates. Standing is present when workers are walking or in low postures. Choice of sitting or standing is present when workers can alternate between positions, and three conditions exist: (1) workers typically have the flexibility to choose between sitting and standing throughout the workday; (2) there are no assigned periods during the workday to sit or stand; and (3) no external factors determine whether workers must sit or stand.