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	             Handbook of Methods > 
					                      Occupational Requirements Survey

                 Handbook of Methods Occupational Requirements Survey Design
                     Occupational Requirements Survey: Design
				  
				   				   
			  
			   				
				
				
				
			  				
				
				
				
			   



Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) data are collected from a national probability sample of establishments and occupations. Probability samples are subject to sampling and nonsampling errors, which are discussed in the Calculation section.
Establishment selection
The ORS program uses a probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) technique to select a sample of private industry establishments as well as state and local government establishments from across the nation. The larger the establishment's employment size, the greater its chance of being selected. Establishments from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are eligible for selection.
The second wave total sample size will include approximately 60,000 establishments, collected over a 5-year period (2018–23). Private industry establishments will account for 85 percent (51,000) of the total, and state and local government establishments will account for the remaining 15 percent (9,000). Approximately one-fifth of the total sample size will be independently sampled each year from private industry and state and local government establishments in proportion to their representation in the full 5-year sample. When establishments are selected in more than one sample, collection is only performed once in that wave.
The sampling design for the 5-year private industry sample is a two-stage stratified sample of private industry establishments and occupations within selected establishments. Forty strata are formed by the cross-classification of the predicted presence and absence of predetermined occupations in establishments, four U.S. Census regions (Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and West), and aggregate industry (education services, financial activities, goods-producing, healthcare and social assistance, and service-providing). For the purposes of sample selection, predetermined occupations are the 200 six-digit SOCs with the lowest employment across all ownerships based on the May 2017 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates.
Exhibit 1. List of predetermined occupations
SOC code
Occupation11-3111
Compensation and benefits managers11-9071
Gambling managers11-9161
Emergency management directors11-9171
Funeral home managers13-1011
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes13-1021
Buyers and purchasing agents, farm products13-1032
Insurance appraisers, auto damage15-2021
Mathematicians17-1021
Cartographers and photogrammetrists17-2021
Agricultural engineers17-2121
Marine engineers and naval architects17-2151
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers17-2161
Nuclear engineers17-3021
Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians17-3024
Electro-mechanical and mechatronics technologists and technicians17-3025
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians19-1012
Food scientists and technologists19-1013
Soil and plant scientists19-1023
Zoologists and wildlife biologists19-1041
Epidemiologists19-2011
Astronomers19-2012
Physicists19-2021
Atmospheric and space scientists19-2032
Materials scientists19-2043
Hydrologists19-3022
Survey researchers19-3032
Industrial-organizational psychologists19-3041
Sociologists19-3091
Anthropologists and archeologists19-3092
Geographers19-3093
Historians19-3094
Political scientists19-4043
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians19-4051
Nuclear technicians19-4092
Forensic science technicians19-5012
Occupational health and safety technicians23-1022
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators25-1031
Architecture teachers, postsecondary25-1041
Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary25-1043
Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary25-1051
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary25-1053
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary25-1054
Physics teachers, postsecondary25-1061
Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary25-1062
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary25-1063
Economics teachers, postsecondary25-1064
Geography teachers, postsecondary25-1065
Political science teachers, postsecondary25-1067
Sociology teachers, postsecondary25-1082
Library science teachers, postsecondary25-1111
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary25-1112
Law teachers, postsecondary25-1113
Social work teachers, postsecondary25-1192
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary25-1193
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary25-2023
Career/technical education teachers, middle school25-4011
Archivists25-4012
Curators25-4013
Museum technicians and conservators25-9021
Farm and home management educators27-1012
Craft artists27-1013
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators27-1027
Set and exhibit designers27-2021
Athletes and sports competitors27-2023
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials27-2031
Dancers27-2032
Choreographers27-2041
Music directors and composers27-3023
News analysts, reporters, and journalists27-3092
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners27-4014
Sound engineering technicians29-1022
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons29-1023
Orthodontists29-1024
Prosthodontists29-1081
Podiatrists29-1124
Radiation therapists29-1125
Recreational therapists29-1128
Exercise physiologists29-1161
Nurse midwives29-1181
Audiologists29-1218
Obstetricians and gynecologists29-2033
Nuclear medicine technologists29-2091
Orthotists and prosthetists29-2092
Hearing aid specialists29-9092
Genetic counselors31-2012
Occupational therapy aides33-2021
Fire inspectors and investigators33-2022
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists33-3041
Parking enforcement workers33-3052
Transit and railroad police33-9011
Animal control workers33-9031
Gambling surveillance officers and gambling investigators35-2013
Cooks, private household39-2011
Animal trainers39-3012
Gambling and sports book writers and runners39-3021
Motion picture projectionists39-3092
Costume attendants39-3093
Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants39-4011
Embalmers39-5011
Barbers39-5091
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance39-5093
Shampooers39-7012
Travel guides41-9012
Models41-9091
Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers43-2021
Telephone operators43-3041
Gambling cage workers43-4021
Correspondence clerks43-9031
Desktop publishers43-9081
Proofreaders and copy markers43-9111
Statistical assistants47-2011
Boilermakers47-2022
Stonemasons47-2042
Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles47-2043
Floor sanders and finishers47-2053
Terrazzo workers and finishers47-2072
Pile driver operators47-2082
Tapers47-2142
Paperhangers47-2171
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers47-2231
Solar photovoltaic installers47-3014
Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons47-3016
Helpers--roofers47-4061
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators47-4091
Segmental pavers47-5011
Derrick operators, oil and gas47-5012
Rotary drill operators, oil and gas47-5023
Earth drillers, except oil and gas47-5032
Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters47-5041
Continuous mining machine operators47-5043
Roof bolters, mining47-5044
Loading and moving machine operators, underground mining47-5051
Rock splitters, quarry47-5081
Helpers--extraction workers49-2021
Radio, cellular, and tower equipment installers and repairers49-2091
Avionics technicians49-2092
Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers49-2093
Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment49-2096
Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles49-3052
Motorcycle mechanics49-3091
Bicycle repairers49-3092
Recreational vehicle service technicians49-9045
Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons49-9061
Camera and photographic equipment repairers49-9063
Musical instrument repairers and tuners49-9064
Watch and clock repairers49-9081
Wind turbine service technicians49-9092
Commercial divers49-9094
Locksmiths and safe repairers49-9095
Manufactured building and mobile home installers49-9097
Signal and track switch repairers51-2021
Coil winders, tapers, and finishers51-2061
Timing device assemblers and adjusters51-4022
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic51-4032
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic51-4035
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic51-4051
Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders51-4052
Pourers and casters, metal51-4061
Model makers, metal and plastic51-4062
Patternmakers, metal and plastic51-4071
Foundry mold and coremakers51-4192
Layout workers, metal and plastic51-4194
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners51-6041
Shoe and leather workers and repairers51-6042
Shoe machine operators and tenders51-6051
Sewers, hand51-6061
Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders51-6062
Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders51-6091
Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers51-6092
Fabric and apparel patternmakers51-7021
Furniture finishers51-7031
Model makers, wood51-7032
Patternmakers, wood51-8011
Nuclear power reactor operators51-8012
Power distributors and dispatchers51-8092
Gas plant operators51-9031
Cutters and trimmers, hand51-9051
Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders51-9082
Medical appliance technicians51-9123
Painting, coating, and decorating workers51-9191
Adhesive bonding machine operators and tenders51-9192
Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders51-9193
Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders51-9194
Etchers and engravers53-1041
Aircraft cargo handling supervisors53-2022
Airfield operations specialists53-3011
Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians53-4013
Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers53-4022
Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators and locomotive firers53-4041
Subway and streetcar operators53-5022
Motorboat operators53-5031
Ship engineers53-6011
Bridge and lock tenders53-6041
Traffic technicians53-7031
Dredge operators53-7041
Hoist and winch operators53-7071
Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators53-7072
Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers53-7073
Wellhead pumpers53-7121
Tank car, truck, and ship loadersNote: Predetermined occupations represent those with the lowest number of employed workers in the occupation across all ownerships based on 2017 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.Each sampled establishment has an assigned six-digit industry code from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). When a single physical location encompasses two or more distinct economic activities, the industry code assigned is based on the establishment's principal product or products, whether produced or distributed, or the principal services rendered by the establishment. When determining the principal product or service rendered, employment is used to determine the primary business activity and assign an industry code. When the primary activity cannot be determined by employment then it's determined based on the revenue generated.
The sampling frame, or universe, is the list of establishments from which the survey sample is selected. The ORS establishment sample is drawn from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)⁠ and units reporting to the Railroad Retirement Board.⁠1
Job selection
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) field economists use a four-step process to select and classify jobs for which data are to be collected from the sampled establishment.
**Step 1**
The first step in the process differs depending on establishment ownership. For private industry establishments, the ORS utilizes an occupational sample that is drawn from a modeled occupational frame created by the OEWS program.⁠2This frame informs the selection of occupations within establishments by joining industry information from the QCEW with occupational information from the OEWS. A modeled occupational frame is not available for state and local government establishments because of data constraints.
Field economists are given a prioritized list of six-digit occupational codes for each private industry sampled establishment. The number of jobs selected for data collection is based on the establishment's employment size at the time the sample was drawn, according to the criteria on exhibit 2, and the projected number of occupations at the establishment from the modeled occupational frame. These occupations are listed in priority order, with any predetermined occupations listed first. Field economists determine whether any of the listed occupations exist in the sampled establishment. Field economists stop matching when they reach the targeted number of selected jobs or when the end of the list is reached. This job selection method is used to ensure that occupations with lower probability of selection are included in the survey.
If none of the occupations on the prioritized list are present in the establishment, the field economist collects data by using probability sampling of occupations (PSO). The field economist uses the PSO technique to randomly select jobs for which data are to be collected. This process ensures that the probability of selecting a given job is proportional to the number of workers in the job at the establishment. This process is used to select jobs from state and local government establishments.⁠3
Exhibit 2. Number of sampled jobs based on establishment employment
Number of employees
Number of sampled jobs1-49
Up to 450-249
6250 or more
8Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.**Step 2**
Field economists classify the sampled jobs into occupations based on the workers' actual job duties and responsibilities, not based on their job titles or specific education. For example, an employee trained as an engineer, but is working as a drafter, is reported as a drafter. Field economists classify employees who perform the duties of two or more distinct occupations as working in the occupation that requires the highest level of skill or in the occupation in which the employee spends the most time if there is no measurable difference in skill requirements. Each sampled job is classified by the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system at the six-digit level of detail.
ORS classifies sampled jobs found in establishments into the most detailed occupational code available. Federal statistical agencies are mandated to use the SOC system for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating occupational or labor market data.
**Step 3**
Field economists obtain work status (full-time or part-time) and work schedule for the selected job. The work status is based on the responding establishment's definition for full- and part-time and is not based on an hour threshold. The work schedule is used to determine the duration levels and reflects the usual expected hours in a day, days in a week, and weeks in the year. The job requirements in the establishment are for all workers in the selected job with the same work status and work schedule. For definitions of occupational characteristics, see the Concepts section.
**Step 4**
Field economists evaluate the job to determine the work level of its duties and responsibilities using a point-factor system, which is based on the National Compensation Survey.⁠4 The purpose of this step is to ensure that the job requirements of all workers in an occupation are the same. The work levels are determined by a system of points based on the following factors:
Knowledge
Job controls and complexity
Contacts
Physical environmentEach factor consists of several points and a description. Field economists evaluate the duties and responsibilities of the job, accounting for the work performed, skills needed, and education and training required for the job. Points are then totaled to determine the overall work level for the job. Generally, the greater the impact, complexity, or difficulty of the factor, the higher the number of points assigned and the higher the work level.
For some occupations, such as those listed in exhibit 3, a work level cannot be determined because the four factor points are not available.
Exhibit 3. Jobs that cannot be classified by work level
SOC 2018
Occupation title11-1031
Legislators23-1021
Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers23-1022
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators23-1023
Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates27-1013
Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators27-2011
Actors27-2012
Producers and directors27-2021
Athletes and sports competitors27-2022
Coaches and scouts27-2023
Umpires, referees, and other sports officials27-2031
Dancers27-2032
Choreographers27-2041
Music directors and composers27-2042
Musicians and singers27-2091
Disc jockeys, except radio27-2099
Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other27-3011
Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys41-9012
ModelsNote: Work level is defined as the difference in average hourly wages based on a range of skills, knowledge, and duties within an occupation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey.Notes
⁠1 The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages chapter in the Handbook of Methods provides information about the data sources, design, methodology, and availability of data.
⁠2 The Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics chapter in the Handbook of Methods provides information about the data sources, design, methodology, and availability of data.
⁠3 Establishments that are also part of an active National Compensation Survey (NCS) sample, job selection does not occur. Instead, field economists used the NCS sampled jobs.
⁠4 For further information, see the National Compensation Survey: Guide for Evaluating Your Firm’s Jobs and Pay.

				    				   
				   				   
                 Last Modified Date: January 29, 2024 Facebook
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