BLS OEWS

Pass a list of 5-digit MSA codes (e.g., ['47900', '42660', '12580']
for DC, Seattle, Baltimore). Returns the specified wage measure for
each metro. Use list_common_metros() to find codes.

datatype: '04' (Annual Mean, default), '13' (Median), '03' (Hourly Mean).

Up to 50 metros per call.

Pass a list of 6-digit SOC codes. Returns the specified wage measure
for each occupation. Use list_common_soc_codes() to find codes.

Up to 50 occupations per call.

This is the primary tool for querying BLS OEWS wage statistics.

occ_code: 6-digit SOC code without dash (e.g., '151252' for Software
Developers, '131082' for Project Management Specialists). See
list_common_soc_codes() for common mappings.

scope + area_code:
- 'national': no area_code needed (all US)
- 'state': area_code = 2-digit state FIPS (e.g., '51' for VA, '11' for DC)
- 'metro': area_code = 5-digit MSA code (e.g., '47900' for DC metro,
  '42660' for Seattle). See list_common_metros() for codes.

industry: 6-digit industry code for national-only breakdowns.
'000000' = all industries (default). Common:
'541000' (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services),
'541500' (Computer Systems Design and Related Services),
'999100' (Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)).
Industry breakdowns only work with scope='national'. Federal IT staff mostly fall under 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All
Other), so 999100 with 15-1252 rests on few employees.

datatypes: list of 2-digit codes. Default uses IGCE set:
- '04' = Annual Mean Wage
- '13' = Annual Median
- '11' = Annual 10th Percentile
- '15' = Annual 90th Percentile
Hourly percentiles: '03' (Mean), '06' (10th), '07' (25th), '08'
(Median), '09' (75th), '10' (90th). Annual percentiles: '11' (10th),
'12' (25th), '13' (Median), '14' (75th), '15' (90th). Other: '01'
(Employment); '16' (Employment per 1,000 Jobs) and '17' (Location
Quotient) exist at state/metro scope only.

'02' (Employment RSE) and '05' (Mean Wage RSE) are relative standard
errors in percent, a measure of each estimate's reliability.

Data year defaults to the OEWS release bundled with this server
(get_data_status reports it). Do NOT pass the current calendar year:
OEWS publishes about a year in arrears. Other years are rejected.

Special values ('-', '*', '#') mean BLS did not publish the cell; the
attached footnote says why (annual-only occupation, sample too small).

Returns annual and hourly wages at the mean and the 10th, 25th, median,
75th, and 90th percentiles (25th/75th are the usual junior/senior
anchors), plus estimated burdened hourly rates using the specified
burden multiplier range. Hourly figures are BLS's published hourly
wages (annual / 2080 only where BLS publishes no hourly wage). Also
returns the cell's employment and relative standard errors
(reliability) and flags thin estimates.

Wages are point-in-time estimates for the OEWS reference month
(wage_period in the response), not current rates: escalate them to the
period of performance before pricing.

BLS wages are BASE wages (no fringe, overhead, G&A, or profit).
Multiply by a burden factor to estimate fully-loaded rates:
- 1.5x-1.7x: lean contractor
- 1.8x-2.2x: mid-range professional services (default)
- 2.0x-2.5x: large contractor with clearance overhead
- 2.5x-3.0x: high-overhead (SCIF, deployed)

The burdened range should roughly align with GSA CALC+ ceiling rates
for comparable labor categories. If CALC+ >> burdened BLS, the role
may require specialized skills or clearance overhead. Document the gap.

Burden multipliers must be positive and burden_low <= burden_high.
Reasonable range: 1.3 (lean) to 4.0 (high-overhead/clearance).

Use these codes with get_wage_data(scope='metro', area_code=...).
Pass the 5-digit MSA code (the tool auto-pads to 7 characters).

For the full MSA list: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/msa_def.htm

Use these codes with get_wage_data() and other tools. SOC codes are
6 digits without a dash (e.g., '151252' not '15-1252').

For the full SOC list: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm