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Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey is a semiannual mail survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments, by industry, in the United States. The OEWS survey is a cooperative program between States and the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The OEWS survey uses the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. Workers are categorized into 1 of the 770 detailed occupations. Together, these detailed occupations comprise 23 major occupational groups.

How are the results from this survey used?

  • To identify emerging and declining occupations
  • To identify job skills subject to increasing or decreasing demand
  • To identify areas where educational programs are needed
  • To provide average earning information by occupation

How can employers use this information

  • Set the company payroll
  • Perform salary comparison between areas
  • Decide where to locate or expand