Occupational Projections Data

BLS provides projections of occupational employment, occupation within industry employment, occupational separations, and information on education by occupation.

Methodology and Definitions

The production of occupational projections is described in detail on the Employment Projections program's methodology page and in the BLS Handbook of Methods. (PDF). Note: BLS adopted a new separations methodology with the 2016–26 projections. Further detail is presented in Occupational Separations Methodology.

Definitions of the occupational data presented by the Employment Projections program are available on our occupational data definitions page.

Data Tables

All occupational tables in a single file (XLSX)

• Table 1.1 Employment by major occupational group, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.2 Employment by detailed occupation, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.3 Fastest growing occupations, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.4 Occupations with the most job growth, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.5 Fastest declining occupations, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.6 Occupations with the largest job declines, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.7 Occupational projections, 2018–28, and worker characteristics, 2018
• Table 1.8 2018–28 Industry-occupation matrix data, by occupation
• Table 1.9 2018–28 Industry-occupation matrix data, by industry
• Table 1.10 Occupational separations and openings, projected 2018–2028
• Table 1.11 Employment in STEM occupations, 2018 and projected 2028
• Table 1.12 Factors affecting occupational utilization, projected 2018–28

Occupational Employment Databases

The National Employment Matrix database displays data on 2018 and projected 2028 employment and employment change. Users can search by occupation or by industry. For example, data on secretaries and executive assistants can be found across all industries in which they are employed, and data on the construction industry can be displayed by detailed occupation.

The Occupational Projections Data database displays data on 2018 and projected 2028 employment, employment change, occupational openings, education, training, and wages for each detailed National Employment Matrix occupation. Users can obtain specific data for any occupation in the matrix and compare the results with data on other detailed occupations.

Most Recent Analysis

• Dubina, Kevin; Morisi, Teri; Rieley, Michael; and Wagoner, Andrea , "Projections Overview and Highlights, 2018–28," Monthly Labor Review, Forthcoming 2019.

Other Occupational Analysis

• Occupational projections
• Projections evaluations

Data for Researchers

National Employment Matrix

• Industry-occupation matrix, by industry for 2018–28
  

  This tool permits searching the National Employment Matrix for all detailed occupational employment in a given industry.

• Industry-occupation matrix, by occupation for 2018–28
  

  This tool permits searching the National Employment Matrix for all detailed industry employment in a given occupation.

• National Employment Matrix, 2018–28 (XLSX, 7.9 MB)
  

  The National Employment Matrix for 2018–28 is an industry-occupation matrix with survey-based data for 2018 and projected data for 2028. The file has 110,575 records.

Directories and Crosswalks

• Industry employment directory (XLSX)
  

  The National Employment Matrix combines the industry structures used to report estimates from the Current Employment Statistics (CES), the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), and Current Populations Survey (CPS) programs. Data from OES, CES, and CPS used to construct the matrix are coded to the 2017 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

• Occupational employment directory including a complete listing of occupation titles and codes (XLSX)
  

  The National Employment Matrix occupational structure is based on the structure used by the OES program, which includes detailed occupations from the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.

• National Employment Matrix/SOC to ACS Crosswalk (XLSX)
  

  National Employment Matrix/SOC occupation equivalents from the American Community Survey (ACS).

• National Employment Matrix/SOC to CPS Crosswalk (XLSX)
  

  National Employment Matrix/SOC occupation equivalents from the Current Population Survey (CPS).

• O*NET-SOC to Occupational Outlook Handbook Crosswalk (XLSX)
  

  O*NET-SOC equivalents from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

• Occupational Outlook Handbook A-Z Index (XLSX)

  Index of job titles and their corresponding Occupational Outlook Handbook profile titles

Contact Us

• Via e-mail.
• Via telephone at 202-691-5700.
• Via mail to: Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Suite 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20212-0001.

Last Modified Date: September 4, 2019