Frequently Asked Questions
Participation in the OEWS survey allows for the accurate publication of employment and wage estimates for 830 occupations in over 500 areas in the US.
The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only, and all identifying information for non-governmental establishments will be held in strict confidence in accordance with Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Integrity Guidelines and with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (44 USC Section 3572). When reporting, do not include employee names or Social Security numbers. Individual wage rates will not be published, and no data will be released which might reveal the identity of any company.
Can I report my information online?
Yes. You will need your IDCF number, located above the mailing address in your OEWS data request. Go to our secure data collection site to enter your data online or upload your data file. Contact your state office with any questions or to obtain your IDCF number.
I get an error when I try to log in and submit data. What should I do?
Try using a different browser or clearing the browser cache. If that does not work, please contact the OEWS Helpdesk.
Can I report my information via email?
Yes. Email your file to the secure email address on your OEWS data request. This is the address that begins with "OEWS" and ends with "@idcfmail.bls.gov". Please include your IDCF number in the email.
Can I report my information over the phone?
Yes. Just give us a call and we will be happy to take your data over the phone. See our contact information page for a list of state agency phone numbers.
Is there a form or template I can download?
Yes. The OEWS fillable form is a PDF and is suitable for establishments with fewer than 20 employees. The OEWS Excel template can be used by establishments of any size. We also have templates for K-12 schools and post-secondary schools.
Are the data I provide confidential?
Yes. The information you provide will be used for statistical purposes only, and all identifying information for non-governmental establishments will be held in strict confidence in accordance with Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Integrity Guidelines and with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (44 USC Section 3572).
When reporting data, do not include employee names or Social Security numbers.
Is the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report mandatory?
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report publishes estimates of wage and employment data that impacts the decisions of American businesses, citizens, and policymakers. Your participation is crucial to ensuring these estimates are accurate.
The OEWS Report is mandatory in 23 states. This information can be found on your survey materials or by contacting your state office.
Why have I been asked to participate in this report?
The OEWS survey draws its sample from state unemployment insurance (UI) files and is stratified by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area, industry, and size.
Your business was selected to represent other businesses of similar size in the same area and industry, which means your response is critical.
I’m responsible for multiple establishments that have been sampled by the OEWS program. Is it possible to report for multiple establishments at once?
Yes, it is possible to report data for multiple establishments at once. Please contact us and provide information about your establishments. Include the IDCF numbers from your survey materials to help us consolidate your reports.
Which employees should I report?
Please include:
- Full- and part-time paid employees working at the location specified after “Report for” in the mailing address
- Employees on paid leave
- Employees assigned temporarily to other work locations, including employees who are working remotely
- Paid owners, officers, and staff of incorporated firms
Do NOT include:
- Contractors and temporary agency employees not on your payroll
- Unpaid family workers
- Workers on unpaid leave
- Proprietors, owners, and partners of unincorporated firms
- Workers not covered by unemployment insurance
Should I include my employees' personal information, like names or Social Security numbers?
NO! When reporting data, do not include employee names or Social Security numbers.
When is our submission due? How much time do I have to complete the report?
We ask that you provide your data within two weeks, if possible. We are asking for data about employees who worked during the pay period that included the reference date below the IDCF number on the data request (either November 12 or May 12). If you need additional time to complete the report, please contact your state office.
How should I report apprentices?
Report apprentices in the job for which they are being trained.
How should I report helpers?
Report helpers separately from the employees they are helping. For example, carpenters and carpenter helpers should not be listed together.
How should I report employees who are trained for one job but are working in a different job?
Report employee job titles according to the work they are doing, not their training. For example, report an employee working as a drafter, but trained as an engineer, as a drafter.
What should I include when reporting wages?
Please INCLUDE when reporting wages:
What should I exclude when reporting wages?
Please EXCLUDE when reporting wages:
Should I report hourly wage rates or annual salaries?
- Full-time employees: Report their hourly wage rates or annual salaries.
- Part-time employees: Report their hourly wage rates.
- Salaried employees with non-standard work hours: Report their hourly wage rate.
- What is a full-time employee? For most occupations, it's someone who works 2,080 hours a year, including paid vacations (40 hours per week times 52 weeks).
Should I report the average wage rate for all employees in the same job?
No! Please report the exact hourly wage rate or annual salary for each employee.
How should I report wages for commission or tipped workers?
For tipped, commission, and piece-rate workers, please estimate the total earnings (base pay plus tips, commissions, or piece rates) and hours worked, and calculate the hourly wage rate.
How are OEWS data used?
See the many uses of OEWS data.
Where can I learn more about the OEWS program?
See our overview of the OEWS program.
Where can I find the most recent OEWS data?
See the OEWS data by year.
Who can I contact for help reporting my data?
Please contact your state office for assistance.
Last Modified Date: August 29, 2024
United States Department of Labor