Methodology & Data Sources

Transparency is fundamental to our mission. This page explains our data sources, processing methods, and how to interpret the salary information presented on SalaryMetro.

Primary Data Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Our primary source is the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. This federal-state cooperative program produces employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations by surveying approximately 1.1 million establishments over a three-year period.

Visit BLS OEWS Program

O*NET (Occupational Information Network)

We supplement BLS data with O*NET, the nation's primary source of occupational information. Developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET provides detailed descriptions of job requirements, skills, education levels, and career pathways.

Visit O*NET Online

How We Process Data

  1. 1

    Data Collection

    We download official OEWS datasets directly from the BLS website. This data includes employment counts and wage estimates at the national, state, and metropolitan area levels.

  2. 2

    Data Validation

    We verify data integrity by cross-referencing with previous releases and checking for statistical anomalies. Records flagged by BLS as having low reliability are clearly noted.

  3. 3

    Occupation Mapping

    We link BLS occupation codes (SOC codes) with O*NET data to provide comprehensive occupation profiles including job duties, required skills, and education requirements.

  4. 4

    Geographic Standardization

    Metropolitan area data uses BLS-defined Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). We map these to commonly used city names while preserving the full MSA definition for accuracy.

  5. 5

    Presentation

    Data is presented with clear labels indicating the source, reference period, and any applicable caveats. We do not modify underlying wage values from BLS.

Update Frequency

BLS OEWS Data

Released annually, typically in March or April, reflecting wages from May of the previous year. Our current data reflects 2026 estimates. We update our database within 30 days of each new BLS release.

O*NET Data

O*NET updates occupation information on a rolling basis throughout the year. We synchronize with the latest O*NET database quarterly to ensure current occupation descriptions and requirements.

How to Interpret Our Data

Understanding Salary Statistics

Median Salary (50th Percentile)
The middle value in the distribution. Half of workers earn more than this amount, half earn less. This is typically the most representative measure of a "typical" salary.
Mean (Average) Salary
The sum of all wages divided by the number of workers. Can be skewed by very high or low earners, making it potentially less representative than the median for some occupations.
Percentile Wages (10th, 25th, 75th, 90th)
Show the distribution of wages. The 10th percentile represents entry-level wages, while the 90th percentile represents top earners in the field. The range between 25th and 75th percentiles shows where most workers fall.
Employment Count
The estimated number of workers employed in that occupation in the specified geographic area. Higher counts indicate larger job markets and potentially more opportunities.

Limitations and Disclaimers

Important Considerations

  • Base Salary Only: BLS data reflects base wages and does not include bonuses, stock options, commissions, benefits, or other forms of compensation.
  • Time Lag: BLS data reflects wages from May of the reference year and is published 10-11 months later. Recent market changes may not be reflected.
  • Self-Employed Not Included: OEWS data covers only wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments. Self-employed workers, business owners, and agricultural workers are not represented.
  • Geographic Aggregation: Metropolitan area data represents the entire MSA, not specific cities within it. Wages can vary significantly within a metro area.
  • Suppressed Data: BLS suppresses data for occupation-location combinations with insufficient sample sizes. Missing data indicates statistical limitations, not zero employment.
  • Individual Variation: Your actual salary will depend on experience, education, certifications, negotiation skills, specific employer, and other individual factors.

Disclaimer

SalaryMetro provides salary information for educational and informational purposes only. This information should not be considered professional career advice, financial advice, or a guarantee of any specific salary. Always conduct your own research and consult with qualified professionals when making career or financial decisions.

Using Our Data Responsibly

We provide salary data to help you make informed career decisions. For best results:

  • Cross-reference multiple sources: Compare BLS data with industry surveys, job postings, and networking conversations.
  • Consider total compensation: Factor in benefits, bonuses, equity, PTO, and other non-wage compensation when evaluating opportunities.
  • Account for cost of living: A higher salary in a high-cost area may provide less purchasing power than a lower salary elsewhere.
  • Network with professionals: Connect with people in your target role to understand real-world compensation and career progression.

Questions About Our Methodology?

We are committed to transparency and accuracy. If you have questions about our data sources, methodology, or how to interpret salary information, please visit our detailed data sources page or contact us with your questions.