OEWS
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
A probability sample is used to create the estimates. BLS selects the sample and sends it to the relevant area for data collection. The sample is selected from each state's or territory's Unemployment Insurance (UI) file. Prior to selecting a randomized sample, BLS stratifies the firms in these files by geography, employment size, and industry. In Wisconsin, establishments are stratified into eleven Workforce Development Areas (WDA), fifteen Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) and four Balance of State (BOS) areas. More detailed information on the complete stratification process can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website.
Although the OEWS survey methodology is designed to create detailed cross-sectional employment and wage estimates for the U.S., States, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, across industry and by industry, it is less useful for comparisons of two or more points in time. Challenges in using OEWS data as a time series include changes in the occupational, industrial, and geographical classification systems, changes in the way data are collected, changes in the survey reference period, and changes in mean wage estimation methodology, as well as permanent features of the methodology. More frequently asked questions about OEWS can be found on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website.
Learn More | Subscribe to Email | Data AccessContact
Sal Serio
(608) 733-3925
Data & Links
Explore Wisconsin OEWS
OEWS Data Visualization
DWD recommends using Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge in full screen on a desktop computer to view visualizations. More of these tools can be found on the Visual Catalog page. If you would like to create, save and share a visualization, go to the Data Tools page and Create Visualization. Visit the Help Page for assistance with the tools below.
