What Is the Occupational Outlook Handbook?
Published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) is the definitive government source for career information. Updated every two years, it covers hundreds of occupations and provides data on job duties, required education, median pay, and — critically — projected employment growth over a ten-year horizon.
The OOH is an invaluable tool for students choosing a career path, workers considering a career change, and policymakers designing training programs. Understanding how to read it can give you a significant edge in career planning.
How the BLS Measures Job Growth
The BLS projects occupational employment through its Employment Projections (EP) program. Growth is typically expressed in two ways:
- Percent change: The percentage increase or decrease in the number of jobs expected over the projection period.
- Numeric change: The absolute number of new jobs expected to be added.
It's important to look at both figures together. A small occupation might have a very high percentage growth rate while adding relatively few actual jobs. A large occupation might grow more slowly in percentage terms but add far more jobs in total.
Sectors with Strong Projected Growth
Based on BLS projection methodology and long-term structural trends, the following broad sectors consistently show strong employment growth outlooks:
Healthcare and Social Assistance
Driven by an aging U.S. population, healthcare is one of the most reliably growing sectors in the economy. Roles in high demand include home health and personal care aides, nurse practitioners, medical and health services managers, and physician assistants. Many of these roles require varying levels of education — from short-term certificates to advanced degrees — making healthcare accessible across different workforce populations.
Technology and Computing
Demand for technology workers continues to grow across nearly every industry, not just the tech sector itself. Information security analysts, software developers, data scientists, and cloud computing specialists are among the roles with strong projected growth. The increasing digitization of business processes means tech skills are becoming relevant in healthcare, finance, logistics, and government.
Renewable Energy and Green Jobs
Solar photovoltaic installers and wind turbine service technicians have appeared among the BLS's fastest-growing occupations by percent change in recent projection cycles, reflecting investment in clean energy infrastructure. While these occupations currently employ fewer workers in total than healthcare, their growth trajectories are notable.
Personal Care and Services
As the population ages and consumer preferences shift, personal care roles — including fitness trainers, substance abuse counselors, and marriage and family therapists — are seeing growing demand.
How to Use the OOH for Career Planning
- Search by occupation: Look up any job title to find its typical duties, required qualifications, median annual pay, and 10-year growth outlook.
- Compare similar roles: The OOH includes links to similar occupations, helping you identify adjacent careers that may offer better growth or pay.
- Check entry-level requirements: Each profile specifies the typical entry-level education required, ranging from no formal credential to a doctoral degree.
- Review job outlook rating: The BLS assigns plain-language ratings like "much faster than average," "faster than average," "as fast as average," or "slower than average" to make comparisons easy.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Projections are not guarantees. Economic disruptions, technological shifts, and policy changes can accelerate or reverse labor market trends. The OOH data reflects national averages — local and regional job markets can differ significantly. Always supplement OOH research with state-level labor market information from your state's workforce agency.