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Handbook of Methods Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Overview

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Overview

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas; national occupational estimates for specific industries are also available.

Quick Facts: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Subject areas Pay, Employment
Key measures
  • Occupational employment
  • Occupational wages
How the data are obtained Survey of businesses, Government agencies
Classification Industry, Occupation, Geography
Classification system

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC), North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
Periodicity of data availability Annual
Geographic detail National, Nonmetropolitan areas, State, Metro area
Scope Government, Private sector
Sample sizes

1.1 million establishments (collected over a 3-year period)
Key products

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics News Release

OEWS Data Tables
Program webpage

www.bls.gov/oes
Last Modified Date: December 30, 2025