The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) is a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) National Compensation Survey (NCS) program in association with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The ORS seeks to provide job characteristics data to help the SSA in their disability determination process. Specifically, the ORS will gather job-related information regarding physical demands, environmental conditions, mental and cognitive demands, and vocational preparation requirements.

The Occupational Requirements Survey: estimates from preproduction testing

The Occupational Requirements Survey: estimates from preproduction testing.

This article introduces preliminary estimates and is a followup to previous articles that examined ORS data elements in the context of collection, review, and estimation.

 

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ORS News Release

//ORS ECDSA 09132017// A high school diploma was required for X percent of QCT workers...

10/20/2016

//ORS ECDSA Test 09132017// A high school diploma was the minimum educational attainment required for X percent of civilian workers in 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Minimum educational attainment is not required for Y percent of workers. Lookup_Test.
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ORS Database

Database

Database Name Special
Notice		 Top
Picks		 Data
Finder		 One
Screen		 Multi-
Screen		 Tables Text Files
Occupational Requirements
Occupational Requirements Survey
  Top Picks for ORS Data Finder for ORS One Screen Data Search for ORS Multi Screen Data Search for ORS   Text Files for ORS

 

More Tools

  • Series Report — already know the series identifier for the statistic you want? Use this shortcut to retrieve your data.
  • Public data Application Programming Interface (API) – provides access to economic data from all BLS programs. For more information, see the Public Data API information and resources page.

 

ORS Production Materials

  1. Overview flyer (May 2016) - Web version (PDF) Print version (PDF)
  2. Information sheet — September 2015 (PDF)
  3. Social Security Administration endorsement letter (PDF)
  4. Collection forms
    • Work schedule and leveling:
      • Government (PDF) Private (PDF)
    • ORS elements:
      • Government (PDF) Private (PDF)
  5. Collection manual (PDF)
  6. ORS visual overview
    • Physical demands (PDF)
    • Environmental conditions (PDF)

ORS Pre-production

BLS testing of the Occupational Requirements Survey included:

  1. Evaluating whether the National Compensation Survey (NCS) can produce estimates of sufficient quantity and quality to meet the needs of the SSA;
  2. Determining survey design options and developing processes, protocols, aids, and collection procedures to meet SSA data needs; and
  3. Providing documentation to the SSA summarizing the work performed by the BLS, conclusions drawn, and recommendations for future data collection, testing, and research.

All ORS Pre-production Materials

 

ORS Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

  1. What is the Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS)?
  2. Why is the ORS being conducted?
  3. Why did SSA and BLS decide to start working together?
  4. How will SSA use ORS data?

Respondent FAQs

  1. Why should I participate?
  2. Will my information be kept confidential?
  3. Who do you typically speak to within establishments to obtain your survey data?
  4. How do I provide data?

All ORS FAQs »

ORS Related Links

  • Occupational Information System Project—provides information from the Social Security Administration on the Occupational Information System.
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook—provides data for 250 occupations, by nature of the work, working conditions, employment, job outlook and earnings, related occupations, sources of additional information, and training, other qualifications, and advancement.
  • National Compensation Survey—change over time in labor costs and level of average cost per hour worked, and comprehensive data on incidence and provisions of selected employee benefit plans.
  • Current Population Survey—Labor force, employment, and unemployment statistics for persons with or without a disability. These are estimates for the nation as a whole; data are not available by state.
  • Occupational Employment Statistics—data on employment and wages for over 800 occupations and for about 400 nonfarm industries for the nation, plus occupational data for States and metropolitan areas.
  • Testing the Collection of Occupational Requirements Data presented at the 2013 Joint Statistical Meetings.

 

Contact Us

Contacts

The Office of Compensation Levels and Trends, Branch of Survey Information and Publications, will be glad to assist you with questions about any of the components of the Occupational Requirements Survey.

Ways to Contact BLS Directly

Email: Contact us

Telephone: (202) 691-6199 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.)

Information and assistance is also available from any BLS regional office.

TDD

Information voice phone: (202) 691-5200 The Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339

Write or Personal Visit

Bureau of Labor Statistics
OCLT/SI&P
2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E. - Suite 4160
Washington, D.C. 20212-0001