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Handbook of Methods Occupational Requirements Survey Overview

Occupational Requirements Survey: Overview

The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) is a survey of establishments in private industry and state and local government conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The ORS publishes information about job requirements, including physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements. This Handbook of Methods chapter explains the process and concepts for the 2019–23 reference period estimates.

Quick Facts: Occupational Requirements Survey
Subject areas Job requirements
Key measures
  • Cognitive and mental requirements
  • Education, training, and experience
  • Environmental conditions
  • Physical demand
How the data are obtained Government agencies, Survey of businesses
Classification Occupation
Classification system

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system
Periodicity of data availability Annual
Geographic detail National
Scope Private sector, State and local government
Sample sizes

60,000 private and government establishments
Reference Period

5-year wave with preliminary data provided annually
Key products
Program webpage

www.bls.gov/ors
Last Modified Date: January 29, 2024