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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Publications > Factsheets

Civilian workers

Man giving presentation to table of workers This profile provides an overview of job requirements for civilian workers in the U.S. economy. Civilian workers include private industry as well as state and local government workers.

For terms and definitions in this profile, see definitions of major terms.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2025, work was controlled by people for 76.8 percent of civilian workers. Work was self-paced for 18.5 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of civilian workers with cognitive and mental requirements, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Work schedule varies	48.3	51.7
Ability to pause work (and take brief unscheduled breaks)	53.5	46.5
Working around crowds	1.8	98.2
Telework routinely allowed	14.7	85.3
Supervising others	17.5	82.5
Supervisor present in immediate work area	56.1	43.9
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal education required, credentials necessary, on-the-job training, and prior work experience necessary for average performance in jobs. The time associated with these requirements is combined to calculate the specific vocational preparation level needed for the job.

In 2025, prior work experience was required for 43.4 percent of civilian workers and on-the-job training was required for 80.6 percent.

No minimum education was required for 32.5 percent of civilian workers and a high school diploma was required for 39.3 percent.

Environmental conditions

The various hazards or difficulties that are in the area where workers perform their critical tasks.

In 2025, a quiet noise exposure was present for 14.4 percent of civilian workers. Another 82.4 percent were exposed to moderate noise, 3.3 percent were exposed to loud noise, and less than 0.5 percent to very loud noise. Personal protective equipment (PPE) was used by 10.2 percent of workers to mitigate noise exposure and was not used by 89.8 percent.

Physical demands

The physical activities required to perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in some cases, duration of these activities are published.

In 2025, speaking was required for 96.9 percent of civilian workers and was not required for 3.1 percent. For 6.1 percent of workers, speaking was seldom required, for 53.4 percent speaking was occasionally required, for 36.9 percent speaking was frequently required, and for less than 0.5 percent speaking was required constantly.

Performing work in low postures was required for 56.7 percent of civilian workers and was not required for 43.3 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 37.0 percent of civilian workers. On average, workers spent 44.9 percent of the workday sitting and 55.1 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of civilian workers with physical demands, 2025
Requirement	Yes	No
Ability to choose to sit or stand for tasks	37.0	63.0
Driving	26.6	73.4
Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs	20.0	80.0
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey