Our Data & Methodology

WageVista aggregates and cross-references data from multiple authoritative federal sources to provide comprehensive career and wage intelligence. Our methodology combines raw government datasets with proprietary analysis to deliver actionable insights.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Our primary source for wage data comes from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. This survey collects data on wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments to produce employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations at the national, state, and metropolitan area levels.

Coverage: 800+ occupations across all 50 states and 400+ metropolitan areas

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

We incorporate Regional Price Parities (RPPs) from the BEA to contextualize wage data against cost-of-living differences across states and metropolitan areas. This allows for more meaningful comparisons of purchasing power across regions.

Coverage: Regional price indices for all states and major metros

O*NET (Department of Labor)

The Occupational Information Network provides detailed occupation classifications, skill requirements, education levels, and job characteristics. We use O*NET data to enrich our occupation profiles with contextual career information.

Coverage: Detailed profiles for 900+ occupations

Employment Projections Program

The BLS Employment Projections program provides 10-year forecasts of employment by occupation and industry. We integrate these projections to identify high-growth careers and emerging opportunities in the labor market.

Coverage: 10-year employment outlook for all major occupations

U.S. Census Bureau

Census Bureau data supplements our analysis with industry employment statistics, workforce demographics, and economic indicators. This provides broader context for understanding labor market dynamics.

Coverage: Industry and demographic workforce data

Data Processing

• Cross-referencing: We match and validate data across multiple sources to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Normalization: Occupation codes and industry classifications are standardized across datasets for consistent analysis.
• Trend Analysis: We calculate year-over-year and multi-year growth rates to identify salary and employment trends.
• Quality Filtering: Records with suppressed or unreliable data are flagged and handled appropriately.

Update Frequency

Our database is updated annually when new OEWS data is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, typically in the spring of each year. Historical data from 2014 onwards is maintained for trend analysis.

While we strive for accuracy, wage data represents statistical estimates and may vary from actual compensation. Individual salaries depend on factors including experience, education, company size, and negotiation. Always research specific employers and roles when making career decisions.