Occupational Outlook Handbook: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to use this government resource to research career trends, earnings, and job growth for various professions.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a comprehensive resource that provides detailed information about various career paths and labor market trends across many different industries.
Who it's for
This resource is designed for anyone researching career trends. It is a tool for students deciding on a major, professionals looking to change industries, or anyone needing to understand the current landscape of the labor market.
What you get
You gain access to essential data regarding earnings and projected job growth for many different roles. For example, if you are looking into becoming a makeup artist, you can find specific information regarding the training required for that role, what the expected salary looks like, and how much the field is expected to grow in the coming years. This data helps you understand the professional landscape and the educational requirements needed to succeed in your chosen field.
What it costs you
Using this resource is completely free. There are no subscription fees or costs to access the information provided by the issuing agency.
The catch to know
It is important to understand that this is a guide and not a job board. You cannot use this handbook to apply for specific positions or to find active employment listings. Instead, it is best used for salary benchmarking—comparing what you currently earn or expect to earn against the national data—and for planning your long-term professional development and training needs.
How to apply
- Visit the official portal to access the full database.
- Use the search function to find a specific career or industry.
- Review the detailed data regarding earnings, training, and growth.
- Use the information to benchmark your current professional status.