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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)On this Page:Sending in Your Data
General Questions
Classifying Workers by Occupation
Questions about Wages or Salaries
ContactsCan I submit an electronic file or complete the form online?Yes. If you have an IDCF number, you can enter your data online or you can securely upload your data file via the Occupational Employment Statistics Internet Data Collection Facility at https://idcfoes.bls.gov. Contact your State office with any questions or to obtain your IDCF number. Can I send my information by e-mail?If you wish, you can e-mail an electronic file containing the data we have requested. E-mail addresses are found on our contacts page. Can I phone in my data?Yes. Just give us a call and we will be happy to take your data over the phone. See our contacts page for a list of State agency phone numbers. Is there a fillable form I can download?Yes. It is located here: OEWS fillable form. What is the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Report?The OEWS Report collects data from a sample of establishments and calculates employment estimates by occupation, industry, and geographic area. The report covers all non-farm industries. Data are collected by the State Workforce Agencies in cooperation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor. The OEWS Program estimates employment and wages for nearly 800 occupations for all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam, as well as the nation as a whole. It also produces employment and wage estimates for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and for specific industries. What are some important uses of the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report?The following are some of the more common uses. Data about employment are used to:
Data about wages are used to:
Data in general are used to:
Are the data I provide confidential?Yes! Your information and identity are kept in strict confidence in accordance with Bureau of Labor Statistics Data Integrity Guidelines and with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (44 USC Section 3572). When reporting data on the form, do not include employee names or their social security numbers. Is the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report Mandatory?In most States, there is no penalty for not responding. Your response is vital to the statistical validity of this occupational wage study. We are prepared to assist you in completing the questionnaire. The report is mandatory in Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina (20+ employees), Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming. Why have I been chosen to participate in this report?A sample of businesses is statistically selected twice a year from a list of all US employers. Your business was selected to represent other businesses of similar size in the same area and industry. That's why your response is critical. What establishments are covered? We have multiple establishments and work sites, some in other States. Which should we report for?
Which employees should we include in the report?Please include:
Do NOT include:
Should I report my employees' names? What about social security numbers?NO! When reporting data on the form, do not use employee names or their social security number. When is the form due? How much time do I have to complete the report?We ask that you complete the questionnaire within the next two weeks, if possible. Please note the reference date indicated in Box #1 of the form (either November 12 or May 12) and kindly provide us with information for this timeframe. If you need additional time to complete the questionnaire, please contact one of our representatives. We have employees with multiple job duties; what job should we classify them in?
How should we report part-time workers?
How do we report apprentices?Report apprentices in the job for which they are being trained. What about workers that have specific job training but are working in a different job?Report employees in the occupations in which they are working, not necessarily in occupations for which they have been trained. For example: An employee trained as an engineer but working as a drafter should be reported as a drafter. What is included when calculating wages?Please INCLUDE with pay the following:
Please EXCLUDE from pay the following:
Should we use hourly rates or annual salaries?
How should I report wages for commission or tipped workers?For tip, commission, and piece-rate workers, please estimate the total earnings (base pay plus tips, commissions, or piece rates), and report the appropriate wage. Who can I contact for help filling out the form?We have prepared a list of contacts in State offices for your convenience. Please feel free to contact your State office for assistance.
Last Modified Date: April 16, 2021 |