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
Articles
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
NAICS vs SIC: Why Industry Classification Changed
The switch from SIC to NAICS in 1997 fundamentally changed how federal agencies classify industries. Here is why it happened and what it means for reading labor data.
May 4, 2026
SOC Codes Explained: How the Government Classifies Occupations
The Standard Occupational Classification system is the backbone of federal labor statistics. Understanding it helps you navigate OEWS wage data, H-1B filings, and employment projections.
Apr 27, 2026
Fatal Work Injuries: BLS CFOI Explained
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries is a complete count of every fatal workplace injury in the U.S. Here is what it measures, how it differs from the nonfatal survey, and which occupations face the highest risk.
Mar 21, 2026
Productivity Growth: Why It Matters and How It's Measured
Labor productivity — output per hour worked — is the fundamental driver of rising living standards. BLS measures it quarterly, and the trends reveal which industries and time periods are pulling their weight.
Feb 19, 2026
How to Read BLS Employment Situation Reports
The monthly jobs report is the most closely watched economic release in the United States. Here is a guide to reading it like an economist.
Jan 20, 2026
The Gig Economy and BLS Data: What's Missing
Official labor statistics were designed for a world of employer-employee relationships. As gig work grows, significant pieces of the workforce are systematically excluded from key measures.
Dec 21, 2025
UI Claims as an Economic Indicator
Weekly unemployment insurance claims are released every Thursday and are among the most timely labor market data available. Here is how to read them.
Nov 21, 2025