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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Occupational Requirements Survey > Home

The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) is a product of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The ORS provides job-related information regarding physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements for jobs in the U.S. economy.

Notices

Now available: Strength requirements for civilian workers with up to 1 month of SVP Read More »
Additional 2023 ORS estimates released on August 15, 2024 Read More »

Graphics

The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) is an establishment-based survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The ORS provides job-related information regarding physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements for jobs in the U.S. economy.

Click the graphic to enlarge chart: what is ors.

SSA is developing a new Occupational Information System (OIS) to replace the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) that is currently used to adjudicate disability claims. The new OIS will use ORS data to better define jobs that exist in our modern economy to support an accurate and fair disability determination process.

Click the graphic to enlarge chart: why it matters.

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Latest Numbers

Physical demands of civilian workers

Sedentary work strength level 30.6% in 2024

Light work strength level 33.3% in 2024

Medium work strength level 29.0% in 2024

Heavy work strength level 6.4% in 2024

Very heavy work strength level 0.7% in 2024

Environmental conditions of civilian workers

Exposed to outdoors 35.7% in 2024

Quiet noise intensity level 15.1% in 2024

Moderate noise intensity level 81.4% in 2024

Loud noise intensity level 3.4% in 2024

Education, training, and experience of civilian workers

No minimum education requirement 31.7% in 2024

High school diploma education requirement 39.6% in 2024

Associate's degree education requirement 6.0% in 2024

Bachelor's degree education requirement 18.3% in 2024

Master's degree education requirement 2.6% in 2024

Professional degree education requirement 1.5% in 2024

Cognitive and mental requirements of civilian workers

Basic people skills 39.8% in 2024

Varying work pace 44.7% in 2024

Telework available 14.9% in 2024

News Releases

//ORS QCT Test ZUNI3 08282024// Flexibility was available to civilian workers

08/28/2024

//ORS QCT Test ZUNI3 08282024// The flexibility to pause work and take short.
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Next Release

The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) for 2023 is scheduled to be released in late 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time.

Publications

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Handbook Of Methods

Occupational Requirements Survey Overview

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