Occupational Employment and Wage Statistic (OEWS) Program

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program in conjunction with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects wage and job title data from employers.

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As an employer, what information do I need to provide?

Employers are asked to provide job titles, departments, wages, and worksite locations for your employees. Please provide annual wages for full time employees or hourly wages for part-time employees.

DO NOT include employee names, social security numbers, employee ID numbers, or any other identifying information. 

For instructions on how to provide the requested information, see the next section. 

How do I submit the information?

This information can be submitted two ways:

  • By email: You can put the information in a spreadsheet with the company name, address, and IDCF number and email it to the secure inbox at OEWSMassachusetts@idcfmail.bls.gov  
  • By website: You can log in to the secure BLS website using your IDCF number and either enter the information directly or upload a spreadsheet

Visit the BLS OEWS Survey Respondent Page for detailed instructions on generating the spreadsheet and using the BLS website. 

How does the OEWS program benefit employers?

Data collected during the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) is incorporated into a significant amount of data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This economic  survey benefits employers because:

  • Accurate wage information for specific occupations in certain areas can help employers determine competitive pay to attract employees
  • Projections about occupations and job demand can help employers prepare for future staff needs
  • Data gathered through BLS surveys is used in determining funding and budgets for federal and state programs offering training and additional resources to employers and businesses

Employers can access gathered data and information in many formats:

Why should I respond? Is participation mandatory?

The federal government requires the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to collect this data as part of a nation-wide Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) program to track the overall health of the economy. Although employers are highly encouraged to participate, there is no penalty or punishment for refusing to provide the requested information.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics "Better Decisions Begin with Better Data" Flyer, data provided to BLS surveys is used in determining:

  • interest rates
  • military pay increases
  • employment statistics 
  • Medicare payment adjustments to healthcare providers
  • reimbursement rates for school lunch programs
  • projections of fastest growing occupations and most job openings
  • budget projections in private and public sector
  • Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for pensions and Social Security
  • funding for a variety of federal programs including jobs for Veterans Act of 2002 

Please view the below video from the Bureau of Labor Statistics titled, "Your Response is Vital." 

Additional Resources

Where can I learn more about the OEWS program?

For more information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program, please visit www.BLS.gov/OES

For help submitting your information, please contact OEWSMassachusetts@idcfmail.bls.gov .

Additional Resources

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