The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is an essential resource for anyone exploring career options or planning their professional future. Published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the OOH offers a wealth of up-to-date information on hundreds of occupations across the United States.
Whether you are a student deciding what to study, a recent graduate entering the job market, someone considering a career change, or returning to work after a break, the OOH helps you make well-informed decisions.
This guide provides clear, detailed insights into job roles, education requirements, salary expectations, and employment trends, all in one accessible place.
What is the occupational outlook handbook?
At its core, the Occupational Outlook Handbook is a comprehensive career guide designed to provide an in-depth look at more than 800 different jobs in the U.S. economy.
It offers descriptions of what workers do in each occupation, typical working conditions, necessary education and training paths, median salaries, expected job growth, and any required licenses or certifications.
Here are some of its key features:
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Occupational profiles | Detailed overviews of job duties, work environments, and qualifications |
Employment projections | Forecasts of job growth, including fastest-growing industries and number of new job openings |
Salary information | Median pay data to help you understand earning potential |
Career planning tools | Guidance on skills needed and strategies for salary negotiation and career development |
Accessibility | Available online, with easy search options by occupation, pay, education, or job outlook |
The OOH is especially useful because it is regularly updated with the latest labor market data, ensuring the information remains relevant for career planning.
Who benefits from the occupational outlook handbook?
The versatility of the OOH makes it valuable to many different groups:
- Students and teachers: It supports career education and helps develop lesson plans about job markets and future opportunities.
- Human resources professionals and recruiters: Provides accurate job descriptions and competitive pay scale information.
- Job seekers: Offers a clear picture of job requirements, career paths, and salary expectations to guide job searches.
- Career counselors: Assists in advising clients on occupations that align with their skills, education, and interests.
- Workforce development professionals: Helps align training programs with labor market demands, ensuring workforce readiness.
How to access the occupational outlook handbook
The OOH is freely accessible online through the BLS website, making it easy to search for occupations by keyword, pay range, education level, or job outlook. It also includes state and regional data, allowing users to explore local employment conditions and contacts for additional resources.
Updated regularly, the latest editions reflect the most current employment statistics—for example, the 2023–2033 edition includes data through August 2024. The handbook is also available in print for those who prefer physical copies.
Conclusion
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is more than just a list of jobs; it is a powerful career planning tool that helps individuals navigate the complexities of the job market.
By providing reliable, up-to-date information on job duties, education, salary, and growth prospects, the OOH empowers users to make confident and informed career decisions.
Whether you are just starting your career journey or considering a shift in your professional path, the OOH is an invaluable guide to understanding where opportunities lie and how to prepare for them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of information does each occupational profile in the OOH include?
Each occupational profile provides a comprehensive overview featuring sections such as a summary of the occupation, detailed job duties, work environment descriptions, education and training requirements, median pay data, employment projections, and geographic information. It also contains a Quick Facts table summarizing key points like typical entry-level education, work experience needed, on-the-job training, number of jobs, and expected employment changes.
How can someone use the OOH to explore careers?
Users can explore careers by searching for specific occupations or browsing through grouped categories or an alphabetical list. The OOH allows comparison of different jobs based on salary, education, training, and job growth, helping users identify potential career paths. It provides detailed job descriptions and outlooks to assist with planning education and career decisions.
What is the job outlook information in the OOH?
Job outlook information represents the projected percentage change in employment for a given occupation over a ten-year period. It indicates whether a job is expected to grow faster or slower than average, remain stable, or decline, offering valuable insight into future demand and career stability.
Are all occupations included in the OOH?
The OOH contains detailed profiles for approximately 597 occupations, covering about 80% of the workforce. For occupations outside this range, it may provide limited data such as wages and employment trends, but not full profiles. Occupations are categorized according to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system.
How is the OOH useful for students or career planners?
The OOH serves as a valuable resource by outlining job duties, work conditions, required education, and employment prospects. It supports students and career advisors in making informed decisions about career choices and helps identify necessary skills and educational pathways, including suitable college majors aligned with career goals.
Can the OOH help with understanding similar occupations?
Yes, each occupational profile includes a section listing related or similar occupations. This feature assists users in exploring alternative careers within the same field or related areas, broadening their understanding of possible job options.
How often is the OOH updated?
The OOH is updated regularly, generally every ten years, to incorporate the latest employment, wage, and outlook data. Updates rely on projections such as those spanning from 2023 to 2033, ensuring that the information remains current and relevant.
To whom does the CEO report?
The CEO reports directly to the board of directors, which oversees the company’s overall health and has the authority to hire or replace the CEO if necessary.
