Complete Migration to 2018 SOC System in OEWS Data:
This year marks the first year that the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) used the 2018 Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) coding system solely. While prior iterations of these data sets did incorporate 2018 SOC codes, they utilized a hybridized 2010/2018 scheme. Now, most 2018 detail-level SOC codes have estimates. This data forms the base for IMPLAN’s Occupational scheme, and thus additional detail level occupations have been added for the 2021 Occupational release.
The O*NET data used for the Core Competency portion of the 2021 IMPLAN Occupation Data Suite are also based on the 2018 SOC scheme. Due to the change in OEWS source data, more detailed bridging was used to match O*NET occupation data to OEWS occupations.
Updated O*Net Data
The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including education and skill requirements, for a wide array of occupations. The 2021 IMPLAN Occupational Data Suite incorporates the latest version (27.1) of the O*Net data. Details about the latest O*Net data can be found on the O*Net website.
Methodology Change in OEWS Raw Data
The OEWS data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics implemented a new estimation method referred to as the MB3. More detailed information can be found in the Survey Methods and Reliability Statement. For detailed information on how the new data generation methodology compares to the previous model of estimation, see Model-Based Estimates for the Occupational Employment Statistics Program.
General OEWS Data Quality Addendum
OEWS data collection was made more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For a statement on how this may have affected data quality, please see the Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Updated Military Occupation Estimates:
Initial estimates of total enlisted military personnel (both enlisted and officer level) within occupational groups are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook for Military Careers. This year marks the first release of data in which the Space Force is included as a branch of military. These occupational groups are then mapped to IMPLAN-devised military occupation detail level codes, which are those that begin with “99-“ in order to produce ratios that split out total military employment into occupational designation.
Military occupations are also mapped to private Industry proxies such that O*NET data can be used to generate core competencies for those occupations. Due to changes in the O*NET data, occupation 99-8024 now no longer uses O*NET codes 29-1248: Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists and 29-1228: Physicians, All Other. Previously, these two occupations had weights of 14% and 7.5% - this weight has been redistributed amongst the other component occupations that are used for Core Competency estimations.
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Written March 16, 2023