OEWS Coverage Scope

OEWS covers wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments. It does not cover the self-employed, business owners, household workers, unpaid family workers, military personnel, or most agricultural employment.

This distinction matters more than it might seem. Occupations with high self-employment rates, consultants, freelance creatives, many healthcare practitioners, real estate agents, are systematically underrepresented. The wage data reflects what employers pay employees, not what independent practitioners earn.

When analyzing occupations where independent work is common, OEWS shows only part of the picture.

Related:, 00-source—bls-oews