Occupational Requirements Survey Summary

For release 10:00 A.M. (ET) Thursday, November 17, 2022					              USDL-22-2178

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 – 2022

Constant verbal interactions, meaning every few minutes, were required for 27.4 percent of workers in 2022,
the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. For the average worker, sitting was required for 43.6
percent of the workday. A work pace that varied, indicating fluctuations on a daily, weekly, or seasonal
basis, was present for 54.5 percent of workers. (See table 1.)

Constant verbal interactions were required for 77.4 percent of cashiers. On average, sitting was required for
5.1 percent of the workday for these workers. 

Constant verbal interactions were required for 67.4 percent of waiters and waitresses. On average, sitting
was required for 2.6 percent of the workday for these workers. 

Constant verbal interactions were required for 43.4 percent of hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks. On
average, sitting was required for 29.1 percent of the workday for these workers. 

Constant verbal interactions were required for 38.8 percent of retail salespersons. On average, sitting was
required for 13.1 percent of the workday for these workers. 

Environmental conditions  

Extreme heat exposure was present for 4.5 percent of civilian workers, 5.5 percent were exposed to extreme
cold, 32.9 percent were exposed to outdoors, and 33.5 percent were exposed to wetness. (See table 2.)

	*For firefighters, 96.9 percent of workers were exposed to extreme heat, and all firefighters were
	 exposed to the outdoors. 
	*For restaurant cooks, 55.6 percent of workers were exposed to extreme heat, and 13.5 percent were
	 exposed to the outdoors. 
	*For industrial machinery mechanics, 20.4 percent of workers were exposed to extreme heat, and 48.9
	 percent were exposed to the outdoors. 

Cognitive and mental requirements 

The ability to telework was available to 10.6 percent of civilian workers, 56.2 percent had the ability to
pause work, 61.2 percent required more than basic people skills, and 63.8 percent had a supervisor present.
(See table 3.)

	*For web developers, 78.2 percent of workers had the option to telework, and all of these workers
	 had the ability to pause their work. 
	*For lawyers, 61.6 percent of workers had the option to telework, and 94.8 percent had the ability
	 to pause their work. 
	*For customer service representatives, 21.2 percent of workers had the option to telework, and 56.9
	 percent had the ability to pause their work. 

Education, training, and experience

A bachelor’s degree was the highest degree required for 19.0 percent of civilian workers, a credential was
required for 45.2 percent, prior work experience was required for 47.5 percent, and on-the-job training was
required for 79.0 percent. (See table 4.)

	*For civil engineers, 99.7 percent of workers were required to have a bachelor’s degree. Prior work 
	 experience was required for 63.9 percent of these workers. 
	*For graphic designers, a bachelor’s degree was the highest degree required for 53.3 percent of
	 workers, and 78.5 percent were required to have prior work experience. 
	*For pharmacists, a bachelor’s degree was the highest degree required for 26.7 percent of workers,
	 and 25.4 percent were required to have prior work experience. 

Physical demands

Reaching overhead was required for 44.7 percent of civilian workers, 57.6 percent were required to perform
critical work tasks in low postures, 94.8 percent required speaking as part of their critical tasks, and 98.7
percent were required to perform fine manipulation. (See table 5.)

	*For paramedics, 88.1 percent of workers were required to reach overhead, and all paramedics were
	 required to work in low postures. 
	*For dishwashers, 72.7 percent of workers were required to reach overhead, and 74.2 percent were
	 required to work in low postures. 
	*For chemists, 50.0 percent of workers were required to reach overhead, and 36.7 percent were
	 required to work in low postures. 


 
 Table 1. Percentage of workers with selected job requirements, 2022  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Constant verbal interactions
Average percent of workday spent
Varying work pace
Yes
Standard error
Sitting
Standing
Standard error
Yes
Standard error
 
All workers
27.4
0.5
43.6
56.4
[1]
54.5
[1]
Computer and mathematical occupations
5.8
0.9
88.6
11.4
[1]
50.4
2.6
Web developers
-
-
95.1
4.9
0.5
57.2
16.1
Architecture and engineering occupations
3.1
1.2
74.8
25.2
1.5
54.2
4.3
Civil engineers
-
-
80.6
19.4
1.9
45.4
7.8
Life, physical, and social science occupations
11.1
1.9
63.3
36.7
1.8
54.4
4.2
Chemists
-
-
46.6
53.4
5.8
63.7
9.0
Legal occupations
9.4
1.5
83.7
16.3
0.7
42.3
3.7
Lawyers
9.8
2.3
80.5
19.5
1.7
42.5
6.0
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
22.7
2.3
69.6
30.4
2.3
55.4
4.9
Graphic designers
-
-
89.3
10.7
2.2
55.2
8.5
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
32.5
1.5
36.4
63.6
0.8
48.6
1.8
Pharmacists
45.5
8.5
29.6
70.4
4.2
58.1
6.7
Paramedics
37.3
14.5
-
-
-
67.6
14.1
Protective service occupations
28.9
2.6
43.6
56.4
1.4
69.9
4.1
Firefighters
24.4
5.1
-
-
-
83.2
5.5
Food preparation and serving related occupations
56.4
1.4
2.8
97.2
[1]
69.4
2.3
Cooks, restaurant
30.2
2.2
1.9
98.1
0.7
65.1
4.5
Waiters and waitresses
67.4
1.7
2.6
97.4
0.9
72.2
2.6
Dishwashers
-
-
1.1
98.9
[1]
68.8
3.8
Sales and related occupations
46.2
1.5
30.8
69.2
0.7
74.6
1.3
Cashiers
77.4
2.0
5.1
94.9
0.6
83.6
1.3
Retail salespersons
38.8
4.0
13.1
86.9
1.7
85.4
1.6
Office and administrative support occupations
31.7
0.7
79.0
21.0
0.6
55.4
1.0
Customer service representatives
60.6
4.5
84.0
16.0
1.7
47.8
6.2
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
43.4
4.7
29.1
70.9
2.9
79.2
9.2
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
5.9
0.9
20.5
79.5
[1]
58.9
2.2
Industrial machinery mechanics
9.3
2.3
15.6
84.4
1.3
49.4
3.4
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
[2] The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Note: Dashes indicate that the 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

 
 Table 2. Percentage of workers with environmental conditions, 2022  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Extreme heat
Extreme cold
Outdoors
Wetness
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
 
All workers
4.5
95.5
[1]
5.5
94.5
[1]
32.9
67.1
[1]
33.5
66.5
[1]
Computer and mathematical occupations
-
100.0
[1]
-
100.0
[2]
1.8
98.2
0.7
[1]
100.0
[1]
Web developers
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
-
99.6
[1]
-
100.0
[2]
Architecture and engineering occupations
2.7
97.3
0.8
1.0
99.0
[1]
31.5
68.5
2.7
6.0
94.0
1.9
Civil engineers
-
97.5
2.3
-
100.0
[2]
75.8
24.2
6.4
-
96.2
2.3
Life, physical, and social science occupations
3.6
96.4
1.1
5.0
95.0
1.3
37.0
63.0
4.0
34.8
65.2
4.9
Chemists
-
91.7
4.8
7.9
92.1
3.1
-
97.0
1.6
68.8
31.2
8.2
Legal occupations
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
-
98.0
1.1
-
100.0
[2]
Lawyers
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
-
96.6
2.0
-
100.0
[2]
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
[1]
99.9
[1]
-
99.4
0.5
30.8
69.2
3.1
7.1
92.9
2.1
Graphic designers
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
-
98.8
0.7
-
100.0
[2]
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
[1]
99.6
[1]
0.5
99.5
[1]
7.6
92.4
0.5
74.1
25.9
1.7
Pharmacists
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
54.5
45.5
6.3
Paramedics
11.4
88.6
4.9
3.4
96.6
1.7
98.0
-
1.3
80.8
-
11.1
Protective service occupations
13.9
86.1
1.0
1.1
98.9
[1]
89.5
10.5
1.1
30.8
69.2
1.2
Firefighters
96.9
3.1
0.5
4.0
96.0
1.3
100.0
-
[2]
97.4
2.6
1.3
Food preparation and serving related occupations
24.1
75.9
1.8
34.9
65.1
1.3
32.3
67.7
1.6
91.3
8.7
0.5
Cooks, restaurant
55.6
44.4
4.5
66.6
33.4
2.8
13.5
86.5
1.5
96.9
-
2.6
Waiters and waitresses
-
98.1
1.0
8.4
91.6
2.0
27.6
72.4
4.7
94.2
5.8
1.9
Dishwashers
15.9
84.1
3.2
16.7
83.3
5.1
34.2
65.8
3.9
99.4
-
0.6
Sales and related occupations
[1]
99.6
[1]
3.4
96.6
0.5
28.8
71.2
1.5
21.9
78.1
0.9
Cashiers
0.6
99.4
[1]
8.7
91.3
1.5
24.7
75.3
1.3
50.7
49.3
3.9
Retail salespersons
-
99.9
[1]
-
99.5
0.5
34.1
65.9
4.5
13.9
86.1
2.6
Office and administrative support occupations
[1]
100.0
[1]
[1]
99.7
[1]
4.9
95.1
[1]
2.8
97.2
[1]
Customer service representatives
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
3.4
96.6
0.8
1.6
98.4
0.6
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
-
94.3
4.6
-
93.2
5.7
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
9.0
91.0
0.8
4.4
95.6
1.2
80.1
19.9
1.4
50.1
49.9
1.6
Industrial machinery mechanics
20.4
79.6
3.6
9.4
90.6
2.8
48.9
51.1
5.7
47.2
52.8
3.3
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
[2] The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Note: Dashes indicate that the 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

 
 Table 3. Percentage of workers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2022  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Telework
Pause control
More than basic people skills
Supervisor present
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
 
All workers
10.6
89.4
[1]
56.2
43.8
0.5
61.2
38.8
0.5
63.8
36.2
0.5
Computer and mathematical occupations
52.5
47.5
4.4
95.7
4.3
0.7
95.8
4.2
0.6
55.4
44.6
1.3
Web developers
78.2
21.8
6.6
100.0
-
[2]
93.6
6.4
2.2
62.0
38.0
13.0
Architecture and engineering occupations
30.5
69.5
2.1
94.8
5.2
1.9
92.3
7.7
0.9
67.1
32.9
2.2
Civil engineers
24.4
75.6
5.2
-
-
-
100.0
-
[2]
70.4
29.6
6.9
Life, physical, and social science occupations
16.1
83.9
2.7
82.2
17.8
5.0
92.9
7.1
1.7
48.3
51.7
4.4
Chemists
-
-
-
72.6
27.4
13.0
-
-
-
72.2
27.8
11.6
Legal occupations
48.8
51.2
4.5
95.0
-
2.8
-
-
-
56.2
43.8
5.6
Lawyers
61.6
38.4
6.0
94.8
-
2.9
100.0
-
[2]
42.6
57.4
5.5
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
25.2
74.8
2.4
75.7
24.3
3.1
84.9
15.1
2.9
58.9
41.1
2.1
Graphic designers
30.1
69.9
6.1
100.0
-
[2]
81.5
18.5
8.3
81.5
18.5
6.4
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
1.7
98.3
[1]
41.2
58.8
1.4
92.4
7.6
0.7
64.4
35.6
1.4
Pharmacists
-
-
-
66.1
33.9
5.4
-
-
-
61.5
38.5
6.8
Paramedics
-
100.0
[2]
-
-
-
100.0
-
[2]
-
-
-
Protective service occupations
-
100.0
[1]
13.3
86.7
1.3
80.9
19.1
1.7
37.1
62.9
1.8
Firefighters
-
100.0
[2]
-
100.0
[2]
95.0
5.0
1.3
76.6
23.4
2.3
Food preparation and serving related occupations
-
-
-
22.8
77.2
1.0
26.0
74.0
0.5
90.5
9.5
1.0
Cooks, restaurant
-
100.0
[2]
18.3
81.7
1.6
9.6
90.4
1.2
94.1
5.9
2.2
Waiters and waitresses
-
100.0
[2]
24.5
75.5
2.5
43.4
56.6
3.9
96.5
3.5
1.6
Dishwashers
-
100.0
[2]
25.6
74.4
2.7
-
-
-
97.1
2.9
1.0
Sales and related occupations
10.9
89.1
0.7
44.4
55.6
1.8
57.9
42.1
1.7
72.9
27.1
0.7
Cashiers
-
100.0
[2]
4.7
95.3
1.2
10.9
89.1
1.7
90.5
9.5
2.2
Retail salespersons
-
99.3
[1]
35.5
64.5
2.4
56.3
43.7
5.4
86.5
13.5
1.6
Office and administrative support occupations
11.0
89.0
1.0
71.7
28.3
0.8
67.3
32.7
1.2
81.3
18.7
1.1
Customer service representatives
21.2
78.8
3.3
56.9
43.1
3.9
71.9
28.1
2.2
87.2
12.8
2.8
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
-
100.0
[2]
15.1
84.9
2.9
61.7
38.3
6.0
80.1
19.9
6.5
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
-
99.4
[1]
70.3
29.7
2.2
53.2
46.8
2.9
53.0
47.0
1.5
Industrial machinery mechanics
-
100.0
[2]
62.5
37.5
3.6
51.3
48.7
5.4
72.7
27.3
4.2
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
[2] The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Note: Dashes indicate that the 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

 
 Table 4. Percentage of workers with education, training, and experience requirements, 2022  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Bachelor's degree
Credentials
Prior work experience
On-the-job training
Yes
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
 
All workers
19.0
[1]
45.2
54.8
[1]
47.5
52.5
0.5
79.0
21.0
[1]
Computer and mathematical occupations
66.0
3.2
15.8
84.2
1.9
82.8
17.2
0.9
61.6
38.4
1.8
Web developers
63.1
13.6
-
99.3
0.6
74.7
-
18.1
78.5
-
11.8
Architecture and engineering occupations
69.0
3.7
41.4
58.6
2.2
66.2
33.8
3.4
69.5
30.5
3.2
Civil engineers
99.7
[1]
77.8
22.2
7.3
63.9
36.1
6.9
59.5
40.5
6.2
Life, physical, and social science occupations
53.1
4.1
52.6
47.4
4.0
72.1
27.9
4.3
70.3
29.7
2.4
Chemists
80.0
13.8
-
91.3
4.5
59.5
40.5
12.5
70.9
29.1
8.0
Legal occupations
10.1
1.1
77.9
22.1
3.1
56.3
43.7
5.0
63.4
36.6
3.8
Lawyers
-
-
-
-
-
45.8
54.2
8.2
49.8
50.2
4.3
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
45.2
2.6
36.5
63.5
3.1
65.1
34.9
1.9
67.3
32.7
4.4
Graphic designers
53.3
12.1
8.1
91.9
3.0
78.5
21.5
7.4
55.3
44.7
9.0
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
22.7
1.3
92.4
7.6
0.9
40.0
60.0
1.0
73.0
27.0
1.2
Pharmacists
26.7
5.5
100.0
-
[2]
25.4
74.6
7.2
68.5
31.5
8.0
Paramedics
-
-
100.0
-
[2]
-
-
-
83.4
16.6
7.2
Protective service occupations
3.6
0.9
88.6
11.4
1.3
31.9
68.1
1.5
76.5
23.5
0.8
Firefighters
-
-
100.0
-
[2]
26.6
73.4
2.5
48.5
51.5
4.8
Food preparation and serving related occupations
[1]
[1]
39.0
61.0
1.0
25.0
75.0
1.2
95.3
4.7
[1]
Cooks, restaurant
-
-
50.5
49.5
3.8
51.0
49.0
6.9
94.4
5.6
1.8
Waiters and waitresses
-
-
36.9
63.1
2.0
25.2
74.8
3.9
97.5
2.5
0.8
Dishwashers
-
-
27.4
72.6
6.9
-
97.8
1.2
91.0
9.0
4.5
Sales and related occupations
7.3
0.6
27.8
72.2
1.4
32.5
67.5
1.3
93.6
6.4
0.6
Cashiers
-
-
6.4
93.6
1.3
4.5
95.5
2.0
-
-
-
Retail salespersons
-
-
15.6
84.4
2.3
15.2
84.8
1.4
96.2
3.8
1.4
Office and administrative support occupations
5.6
[1]
10.8
89.2
0.5
59.4
40.6
1.0
88.4
11.6
0.6
Customer service representatives
2.4
0.9
4.4
95.6
1.0
51.7
48.3
3.8
92.0
8.0
3.3
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
-
-
-
-
-
28.9
71.1
4.7
100.0
-
[2]
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
1.4
0.6
73.4
26.6
2.2
67.7
32.3
1.0
74.9
25.1
2.1
Industrial machinery mechanics
-
-
47.3
52.7
3.8
74.0
26.0
4.4
83.8
16.2
2.1
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
[2] The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Note: Dashes indicate that the 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

 
 Table 5. Percentage of workers with physical demands, 2022  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Reaching overhead
Low postures
Speaking
Fine manipulation
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
No
Standard error
Yes
Standard error
Yes
Standard error
 
All workers
44.7
55.3
0.5
57.6
42.4
[1]
94.8
[1]
98.7
[1]
Computer and mathematical occupations
11.5
88.5
0.8
20.9
79.1
1.5
99.9
[1]
98.3
0.6
Web developers
-
98.0
1.0
-
97.8
1.0
100.0
[2]
99.5
[1]
Architecture and engineering occupations
18.4
81.6
3.0
25.6
74.4
2.6
99.9
[1]
100.0
[2]
Civil engineers
7.4
92.6
2.2
26.3
73.7
4.4
100.0
[2]
100.0
[2]
Life, physical, and social science occupations
36.2
63.8
3.7
46.9
53.1
2.5
98.9
[1]
99.6
[1]
Chemists
50.0
50.0
10.9
36.7
63.3
11.0
100.0
[2]
100.0
[2]
Legal occupations
5.8
94.2
2.6
7.8
92.2
2.1
100.0
[2]
100.0
[1]
Lawyers
5.5
94.5
2.4
-
94.7
3.0
100.0
[2]
100.0
[2]
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
28.6
71.4
3.1
37.4
62.6
4.2
99.2
0.5
98.9
[1]
Graphic designers
1.8
98.2
0.7
-
98.2
1.0
100.0
[2]
99.1
0.9
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
63.3
36.7
1.7
75.4
24.6
1.1
99.9
[1]
99.9
[1]
Pharmacists
73.6
26.4
6.2
79.3
20.7
4.6
100.0
[2]
97.2
2.8
Paramedics
88.1
-
11.0
100.0
-
[2]
100.0
[2]
100.0
[2]
Protective service occupations
54.3
45.7
2.6
73.8
26.2
2.2
99.1
0.6
98.3
0.5
Firefighters
98.9
1.1
[1]
98.3
1.7
0.8
100.0
[2]
100.0
[2]
Food preparation and serving related occupations
66.7
33.3
0.9
79.5
20.5
1.3
95.0
0.7
98.9
[1]
Cooks, restaurant
77.7
22.3
4.5
84.5
15.5
4.5
91.6
2.8
98.4
1.1
Waiters and waitresses
47.9
52.1
1.7
64.4
35.6
2.5
99.6
[1]
98.4
0.7
Dishwashers
72.7
27.3
2.7
74.2
25.8
4.1
51.4
5.3
89.6
2.4
Sales and related occupations
46.1
53.9
1.5
60.7
39.3
1.0
100.0
[1]
99.9
[1]
Cashiers
38.0
62.0
2.3
74.7
25.3
1.7
100.0
[1]
99.7
[1]
Retail salespersons
78.3
21.7
3.0
85.1
14.9
1.0
100.0
[1]
100.0
[2]
Office and administrative support occupations
14.3
85.7
0.7
22.2
77.8
0.6
98.6
0.6
99.3
[1]
Customer service representatives
4.6
95.4
1.1
11.1
88.9
1.6
99.9
[1]
96.7
1.9
Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks
17.6
82.4
4.6
36.2
63.8
4.6
100.0
[2]
100.0
[2]
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
89.6
10.4
1.1
95.5
4.5
0.6
95.7
0.7
100.0
[1]
Industrial machinery mechanics
86.3
13.7
2.5
95.0
-
3.3
97.4
0.8
100.0
[2]
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
[2] The standard error is not available for this estimate.
Note: Dashes indicate that the 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