Occupational Requirements in the United States 2023
A consistent and generally fast work pace was required for 38.9 percent of workers in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Workload was controlled by machinery, equipment, or software for 2.2 percent of workers meaning that technology, rather than people or company performance targets, determined the amount and timing of work performed in their workday. Work was reviewed by a supervisor more than once per day for 33.3 percent of workers and a supervisor was present for 62.4 percent of workers. (See chart 1 and table 1.)
In production occupations, 55.8 percent of workers had a consistent and generally fast work pace. Within this occupational group, 71.1 percent of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders and 76.7 percent of team assemblers had a consistent and generally fast work pace. Workload was controlled by machinery, equipment, or software for 61.2 percent of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders, work was reviewed by a supervisor more than once
per day for 77.5 percent of these workers, and a supervisor was present for 98.4 percent of these workers. Considered together, these job requirements show that many decisions related to the job
and the workload are handled by technology or the supervisor and not by the worker.
In transportation and material moving occupations, 48.7 percent of workers had a consistent and generally fast work pace. Within this occupational group, a consistent and generally fast work pace was required for 67.8 percent of packers and packagers and 82.9 percent of machine feeders and off-bearers.
The Occupational Requirements Survey captures information on job requirements in the following categories: physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements. Each category is highlighted below.
Cognitive and mental requirements
Verbal interactions were required once per day or less often for 3.3 percent of workers, 38.6 percent of workers required basic people skills, and 83.3 percent of workers were not required to supervise others. (See chart 2 and table 2.)
• Verbal interactions were required once per day or less often for 26.8 percent of sewing machine operators and for 33.6 percent of janitors and cleaners.
• Basic people skills were required for 85.4 percent of furniture finishers and for more than 99.5 percent of dishwashers.
Education, training, and experience
A high school diploma was required for 40.1 percent of workers to perform their jobs. Prior work experience was required for 47.5 percent of workers and on-the-job training was required for
78.9 percent of workers. (See chart 3 and table 3.)
• A high school diploma was required for 69.6 percent of childcare workers and 72.9 percent of library assistants.
• On-the-job training was required for 89.8 percent of medical records specialists and 94.1 percent of skincare specialists.
Physical demands
A sedentary strength level was required when performing critical tasks for 29.3 percent of workers, meaning these workers spend 2/3 or more of their workday sitting and do not lift heavy objects. The ability to choose between sitting and standing was present for 42.3 percent of
workers, and 55.4 percent of workers were not required to reach overhead. (See chart 4 and table 4.)
- Sedentary strength was required for 81.1 percent of cargo and freight agents and for 88.4 percent of human resources assistants.
- The choice between sitting and standing was available to 71.5 percent of customer service representatives and for 94.9 percent of data entry keyers.
Environmental conditions
Exposure to heights was present for 9.1 percent of workers, 10.1 percent of workers performed critical tasks in close proximity to moving mechanical parts, and 33.0 percent of workers were required to work outdoors. (See chart 5 and table 5.)
- Exposure to heights was present for 43.8 percent of bus and truck mechanics and for 99.3 percent of electrical power-line installers and repairers.
- Exposure to the outdoors was present for 76.3 percent of crane and tower operators and for greater than 95 percent of cement masons and concrete finishers.
