How Employers Use Labor Market Data for Compensation Planning
HR professionals and compensation analysts rely heavily on BLS and private survey data. Here is the framework they use — and where public data fits in.
Jul 27, 2026
Articles
Industry Employment Trends: Winners and Losers Since 2020
CES data shows dramatic reshaping of industry employment since the pandemic. Some sectors have recovered and surpassed pre-pandemic peaks; others remain below.
Jul 20, 2026
Benchmarking Your Salary Against BLS OEWS Data
BLS OEWS data provides a reliable reference point for salary negotiations. Here is how to use it effectively — and its limitations.
Jul 13, 2026
The BLS Green Jobs Initiative: Measuring the Clean Economy
BLS has developed frameworks for measuring green economy employment. Here is what the data covers and why it matters for workforce planning.
Jul 6, 2026
Using JOLTS to Predict Labor Market Turning Points
JOLTS data has historically given early warning of labor market downturns. Here is how economists use it for forecasting.
Jun 29, 2026
What the OEWS Tells Us About Remote Work Wages
As remote work has grown, the traditional relationship between geography and wages has become more complex. OEWS area data sheds light on whether remote workers are still paid by location.
Jun 22, 2026
Gender and Racial Wage Gaps: What BLS Data Shows
BLS produces detailed data on earnings by gender, race, and ethnicity. The headline gaps reflect multiple factors — here is how to interpret them.
Jun 15, 2026
Occupational Outlook Handbook: BLS Career Data
The OOH combines OEWS wages, CES employment counts, and BLS projections into occupation profiles. Here is how to use it and its limitations.
Jun 8, 2026
Reading BLS News Releases: A Field Guide
BLS releases data in a standardized format that rewards careful reading. Here is a guide to parsing the most important data releases for labor market analysis.
Jun 1, 2026
BLS State and Area Employment Statistics
Beyond national data, BLS produces detailed state and metropolitan area employment data. Here is how to find and use it.
May 25, 2026
How to Find the Prevailing Wage for H-1B Filings
Employers must pay H-1B workers at least the prevailing wage. Here is how the DOL determines it — and how to look it up for any occupation and location.
May 18, 2026
The BLS Employment Cost Index: What It Measures
The Employment Cost Index measures total compensation costs including benefits — making it a better measure of employer labor costs than average hourly earnings alone.
May 11, 2026