For the convenience of Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) users, the OOH includes links to governmental sources of information, defined as federal agencies, departments, corporations, instrumentalities, and government-sponsored enterprises. Although these references were carefully compiled, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cannot guarantee the accuracy of information or publications provided by these sources. Each governmental source has sole responsibility for the information it issues.
The OOH describes the job outlook over a projected 10-year period for occupations across the nation; consequently, short-term labor market fluctuations and regional differences in job outlook generally are not discussed. Similarly, the OOH provides a general, composite description of jobs and cannot be expected to reflect work situations in specific establishments or localities. The OOH, therefore, is not intended to, and should never, be used for any legal purpose. For example, the OOH should not be used as a guide for determining wages, hours of work, the right of a particular union to represent workers, appropriate bargaining units, or formal job evaluation systems. Wage data in the OOH should not be used to compute the future loss of earnings in adjudication proceedings involving work injuries or accidental deaths.
BLS has no role in establishing educational, licensing, or practicing standards for any occupation; any such standards are merely reported by BLS in the OOH. The education information in the OOH presents the typical requirements for entry into the given occupation and does not describe the education and training of those individuals already employed in the occupation. In addition, education requirements for occupations may change over time and often vary by employer or state. Therefore, the information in the OOH should not be used to determine if an applicant is qualified to enter a specific job in an occupation.
All text, charts, and tables presented are in the public domain and, with appropriate credit, may be reproduced without permission. Most photographs and illustrations are protected by copyright. Comments about the contents of this publication and suggestions for improving it are welcome. Address all comments to Chief, Division of Employment Projections, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Phone: (202) 691-5700. FAX: (202) 691-5745. Email: Contact us. Information in the OOH is available upon request to individuals with sensory impairments. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Last Modified Date:
Thursday, August 28, 2025
United States Department of Labor
