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Understanding Labor Market Information

While labor markets are inherently local, there are good national sources that describe and explain the complex set of numbers that make up labor market information. Career development professionals can use them to help navigate the maze of data, supplementing their knowledge about jobs in their local area.



Career Guide to Industries
Web site with labor market information organized by industry and state.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Myths and How to Debunk Them (PDF) (Word)
Short article from the Occupational Outlook Quarterly that describes how to uncover the truth about career information.
Source: Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall 2005

Career Voyages
Web site that focuses on 15 in-demand or emerging industries. Includes information on how to quality, and how to pay for the education and training needed.
Source: U.S. Departments of Labor and Education

Education and Training Classification Systems (PDF) (Word)
Chapter of Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 edition, that describes the Bureau of Labor Statistics' two education and training classification systems. Includes data on the number of jobs in each occupation that fall into each category. Also lists national "high wage, high demand" occupations.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics


O*Net Resource Center
Comprehensive information source on occupations, with helpful descriptions and other data by job title.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Nationally recognized resource on occupations. Includes information on the training and education needed for specific jobs, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job and working conditions.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Outlook Quarterly
On-line publication with articles on the labor market, occupations and careers and related educational issues. Aimed at people exploring careers and seeking jobs.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Projections and Training Data
Web site with detailed statistics related to job outlook information. Particularly helpful in showing the education levels required for specific occupations.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Sources of Career Information (PDF) (Word)
Annotated listing of major sources of career and labor market information for special groups and contacts in each states.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 edition

Teacher's Guide: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Web Site For Kids
Web page that explains how teachers can make the most out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Web Site for Kids, which has career information adapted for students in grades 4 to 8.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

The 2004-2014 Job Outlook for College Graduates
Fall 2006 article that shows which occupations are expected to grow the most and the fastest among those that typically require a four-year college degree.
Source: Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall 2006

The 2004-2014 Job Outlook for People Who Don't Have a Bachelor's Degree
Fall 2006 article that shows which occupations are expected to grow the most and the fastest among those that do not typically require a four-year college degree.
Source: Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Fall 2006

Tomorrow's Jobs
Latest statistics on the U.S. employment outlook.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Office within the U.S. Department of Labor that provides data and reports on trends and conditions in the economy and job market.

Workforce Information Providers
List of federal, state and private sources of workforce information.
Source: Workforce Information Council