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Handbook of Methods Occupational Requirements Survey Design

Occupational Requirements Survey: Design

Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) data are collected from a national probability sample of establishments and occupations. Probability samples are subject to sampling and nonsampling errors, which are discussed in the Calculation section.

Establishment selection

The ORS program uses a probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) technique to select a sample of private industry establishments as well as state and local government establishments from across the nation. The larger the establishment's employment size, the greater its chance of being selected. Establishments from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible for selection.

The third wave total sample size will include approximately 75,000 establishments collected over the wave. Private industry establishments will account for 85 percent (63,750) of the total, and state and local government establishments will account for the remaining 15 percent 11,250). A portion of the total sample size will be independently sampled each year from private industry and state and local government establishments in proportion to their representation in the full wave. When establishments are selected in more than one sample, collection is only performed once in that wave.

The sampling design for the private industry sample is a two-stage stratified sample of private industry establishments and occupations within selected establishments. Forty strata are formed by the cross-classification of the predicted presence and absence of preselected priority occupations in establishments, four U.S. Census regions (Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and West), and aggregate industry (education services, financial activities, goods-producing, healthcare and social assistance, and service-providing).  For the purposes of sample selection, priority occupations have at least 25,000 workers nationally based on the May 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates with a maximum high school education required and with low specific vocational preparation requirements.

Exhibit 1. List of priority occupations
SOC code Occupation

17-3013

Mechanical Drafters

21-1093

Social and Human Service Assistants

21-1094

Community Health Workers

27-1026

Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

27-4011

Audio and Video Technicians

31-1132

Orderlies

31-1133

Psychiatric Aides

31-2022

Physical Therapist Aides

31-9091

Dental Assistants

31-9092

Medical Assistants

31-9094

Medical Transcriptionists

31-9095

Pharmacy Aides

31-9096

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

31-9097

Phlebotomists

33-9032

Security Guards

33-9091

Crossing Guards and Flaggers

33-9092

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

33-9093

Transportation Security Screeners

35-2011

Cooks, Fast Food

35-2012

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

35-2015

Cooks, Short Order

35-2021

Food Preparation Workers

35-3011

Bartenders

35-3023

Fast Food and Counter Workers

35-3031

Waiters and Waitresses

35-3041

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

35-9011

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers

35-9021

Dishwashers

35-9031

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

37-2011

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

37-2012

Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

37-3011

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

37-3013

Tree Trimmers and Pruners

39-2021

Animal Caretakers

39-3011

Gambling Dealers

39-3031

Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers

39-3091

Amusement and Recreation Attendants

39-4021

Funeral Attendants

39-6011

Baggage Porters and Bellhops

39-9011

Childcare Workers

39-9031

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

39-9032

Recreation Workers

39-9041

Residential Advisors

41-2011

Cashiers

41-2021

Counter and Rental Clerks

41-2031

Retail Salespersons

41-9011

Demonstrators and Product Promoters

41-9041

Telemarketers

43-2011

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

43-3071

Tellers

43-4051

Customer Service Representatives

43-4071

File Clerks

43-4081

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

43-4111

Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan

43-4121

Library Assistants, Clerical

43-4131

Loan Interviewers and Clerks

43-4151

Order Clerks

43-4161

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

43-4171

Receptionists and Information Clerks

43-4181

Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks

43-5011

Cargo and Freight Agents

43-5021

Couriers and Messengers

43-5041

Meter Readers, Utilities

43-5071

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks

43-5111

Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping

43-6014

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

43-9021

Data Entry Keyers

43-9022

Word Processors and Typists

43-9051

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

43-9061

Office Clerks, General

43-9071

Office Machine Operators, Except Computer

47-2061

Construction Laborers

47-2131

Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

47-2151

Pipelayers

47-3012

Helpers--Carpenters

47-3013

Helpers--Electricians

47-3015

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

49-3011

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

49-3023

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

49-3093

Tire Repairers and Changers

49-9091

Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers

49-9098

Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

51-3022

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers

51-3023

Slaughterers and Meat Packers

51-6011

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers

51-6021

Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials

51-6031

Sewing Machine Operators

51-9198

Helpers--Production Workers

53-3031

Driver/Sales Workers

53-3032

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

53-3033

Light Truck Drivers

53-6021

Parking Attendants

53-6031

Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants

53-7051

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

53-7061

Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment

53-7062

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

53-7063

Machine Feeders and Offbearers

53-7064

Packers and Packagers, Hand

53-7065

Stockers and Order Fillers

53-7081

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

Note: Priority occupations represent those with the lowest number of employed workers in the occupation across all ownerships based on 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.

Each sampled establishment has an assigned six-digit industry code from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). When a single physical location encompasses two or more distinct economic activities, the industry code assigned is based on the establishment's principal product or products, whether produced or distributed, or the principal services rendered by the establishment. When determining the principal product or service rendered, employment is used to determine the primary business activity and assign an industry code. When the primary activity cannot be determined by employment then it's determined based on the revenue generated.

The sampling frame, or universe, is the list of establishments from which the survey sample is selected. The ORS establishment sample is drawn from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)⁠⁠  and units reporting to the Railroad Retirement Board.⁠⁠1

Job selection

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) field economists use a four-step process to select and classify jobs for which data are to be collected from the sampled establishment.

Step 1

The first step in the process differs depending on establishment ownership. For private industry establishments, the ORS utilizes an occupational sample that is drawn from a modeled occupational frame created by the OEWS program.⁠⁠⁠2This frame informs the selection of occupations within establishments by joining industry information from the QCEW with occupational information from the OEWS. A modeled occupational frame is not available for state and local government establishments because of data constraints.

Field economists are given a prioritized list of six-digit occupational codes for each private industry sampled establishment. The number of jobs selected for data collection is based on the establishment's employment size at the time the sample was drawn, according to the criteria on exhibit 2, and the projected number of occupations at the establishment from the modeled occupational frame. These occupations are listed in a prioritized order for collection. Field economists determine whether any of the listed occupations exist in the sampled establishment. Field economists stop matching when they reach the targeted number of selected jobs or when the end of the list is reached. This job selection method is used to ensure that occupations with lower probability of selection are included in the survey.

If none of the occupations on the prioritized list are present in the establishment, the field economist collects data by using probability sampling of occupations (PSO). The field economist uses the PSO technique to randomly select jobs for which data are to be collected. This process ensures that the probability of selecting a given job is proportional to the number of workers in the job at the establishment. This process is used to select jobs from state and local government establishments.⁠⁠⁠3

Exhibit 2. Number of sampled jobs based on establishment employment
Number of employees Number of sampled jobs

1–49

Up to 4

50–249

6

250 or more

8

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.

Step 2

Field economists classify the sampled jobs into occupations based on the workers' actual job duties and responsibilities, not based on their job titles or specific education. For example, an employee trained as an engineer, but is working as a drafter, is reported as a drafter. Field economists classify employees who perform the duties of two or more distinct occupations as working in the occupation that requires the highest level of skill or in the occupation in which the employee spends the most time if there is no measurable difference in skill requirements. Each sampled job is classified by the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system at the six-digit level of detail.

Exhibit 3. Jobs that cannot be classified by work level
SOC 2018 Occupation title

11-1031

Legislators

23-1021

Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers

23-1022

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators

23-1023

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates

27-1013

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators

27-2011

Actors

27-2012

Producers and directors

27-2021

Athletes and sports competitors

27-2022

Coaches and scouts

27-2023

Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

27-2031

Dancers

27-2032

Choreographers

27-2041

Music directors and composers

27-2042

Musicians and singers

27-2091

Disc jockeys, except radio

27-2099

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other

27-3011

Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

41-9012

Models

Note: Work level is defined as the difference in average hourly wages based on a range of skills, knowledge, and duties within an occupation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.

ORS classifies sampled jobs found in establishments into the most detailed occupational code available. Federal statistical agencies are mandated to use the SOC system for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating occupational or labor market data.

Step 3

Field economists obtain work status (full-time or part-time) and work schedule for the selected job. The work status is based on the responding establishment's definition for full- and part-time and is not based on an hour threshold. The work schedule is used to determine the duration levels and reflects the usual expected hours in a day, days in a week, and weeks in the year. The job requirements in the establishment are for all workers in the selected job with the same work status and work schedule. For definitions of occupational characteristics, see the Concepts section.

Step 4

Field economists evaluate the job to determine the work level of its duties and responsibilities using a point-factor system, which is based on the National Compensation Survey.⁠⁠⁠4 The purpose of this step is to ensure that the job requirements of all workers in an occupation are the same. The work levels are determined by a system of points based on the following factors:

  • Knowledge
  • Job controls and complexity
  • Contacts
  • Physical environment

Each factor consists of several points and a description. Field economists evaluate the duties and responsibilities of the job, accounting for the work performed, skills needed, and education and training required for the job. Points are then totaled to determine the overall work level for the job. Generally, the greater the impact, complexity, or difficulty of the factor, the higher the number of points assigned and the higher the work level.

For some occupations, such as those listed in exhibit 3, a work level cannot be determined because the four factor points are not available.

Exhibit 3. Jobs that cannot be classified by work level
SOC 2018 Occupation title

11-1031

Legislators

23-1021

Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers

23-1022

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators

23-1023

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates

27-1013

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators

27-2011

Actors

27-2012

Producers and directors

27-2021

Athletes and sports competitors

27-2022

Coaches and scouts

27-2023

Umpires, referees, and other sports officials

27-2031

Dancers

27-2032

Choreographers

27-2041

Music directors and composers

27-2042

Musicians and singers

27-2091

Disc jockeys, except radio

27-2099

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other

27-3011

Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys

41-9012

Models

Note: Work level is defined as the difference in average hourly wages based on a range of skills, knowledge, and duties within an occupation.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.

NOTES

⁠⁠⁠1 The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages chapter in the Handbook of Methods provides information about the data sources, design, methodology, and availability of data.

⁠⁠⁠2 The Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics chapter in the Handbook of Methods provides information about the data sources, design, methodology, and availability of data.

⁠⁠⁠3 For establishments in state and local government and aircraft manufacturing that are also part of an active National Compensation Survey (NCS) sample, job selection does not occur. Instead, field economists used the NCS sampled jobs.

⁠⁠⁠4 For further information, see the National Compensation Survey: Guide for Evaluating Your Firm’s Jobs and Pay

Last Modified Date: January 02, 2025