Editorial Guidelines

Our commitment to accurate, transparent, and trustworthy salary information.

Official Data Sources

All salary data on SalaryMetro comes from a single, authoritative source: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We do not use crowdsourced salary data, user-submitted estimates, or proprietary algorithms to calculate wages.

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The OEWS program is a federal-state cooperative effort that surveys approximately 1.2 million establishments across all industries over a three-year cycle. This produces statistically valid employment and wage estimates for over 800 occupations at national, state, and metropolitan area levels.

OEWS is the same data source used by economists, workforce development agencies, human resources professionals, and career counselors nationwide.

By relying exclusively on BLS data, we ensure that every salary figure on our site is verifiable, methodologically sound, and collected using rigorous statistical standards.

Our Methodology

We present BLS data as published, with minimal transformation to ensure accuracy and consistency across our platform:

Data Presentation

Salary figures are displayed exactly as reported by the BLS. We do not adjust, estimate, or extrapolate values beyond what is published in official releases.

Percentile Reporting

We display wages at the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles as published by the BLS, providing a complete picture of salary distributions for each occupation.

Geographic Specificity

Metropolitan area data reflects BLS-defined Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). State data represents statewide averages. We clearly identify the geographic scope of each data point.

Occupation Classification

Occupations are classified using Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes as defined by the BLS, ensuring consistent categorization across locations.

Update Frequency

We maintain our database to reflect the most current official BLS releases:

  • Annual OEWS Release: The BLS publishes new OEWS data annually, typically in April for the previous calendar year. We update our database within 30 days of each new release.
  • Data Currency Display: Each salary page indicates the data reference period (e.g., "May 2024 data") so users understand the currency of the information.
  • Historical Comparisons: When we discuss salary trends, we clearly identify the time periods being compared and note that BLS methodology may change between releases.
  • Revision Integration: If the BLS issues corrections or revisions to previously published data, we incorporate those changes during our next update cycle.

Data Limitations

While BLS data is highly reliable, users should understand its inherent limitations:

  • What Wages Include: OEWS wages include base pay, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (commissions, bonuses), and tips. They do NOT include overtime pay, severance pay, tuition reimbursements, or non-cash benefits (health insurance, retirement contributions).
  • Statistical Estimates: All figures are statistical estimates with associated margins of error. Actual wages for individual positions may differ significantly based on experience, education, company size, and negotiation.
  • Occupation Definitions: BLS occupation categories are broad. Two workers with the same job title may have very different responsibilities and compensation depending on their specific role and employer.
  • Geographic Variation: Metro area data represents averages across the entire MSA. Wages can vary substantially within a metropolitan area based on specific neighborhood, suburb, or employer location.
  • Time Lag: Data reflects conditions from the survey reference period, typically 12-18 months before publication. Current market conditions may differ.

Career Advice Standards

Beyond salary data, our career guides and advice articles adhere to strict editorial standards:

Expert Review

Career guides are written and reviewed by professionals with relevant industry experience, including HR professionals, recruiters, and career coaches.

Evidence-Based Advice

Recommendations are grounded in established career development research and best practices, not speculation or trends.

Clear Attribution

When we cite statistics, studies, or external sources, we provide clear attribution so readers can verify information.

No Paid Placement

We do not accept payment to recommend specific employers, courses, certifications, or career services.

Corrections Policy

We are committed to accuracy and transparency in correcting errors:

  • Data errors are corrected immediately upon verification, with notation of correction date for significant changes.
  • Users can report suspected errors through our contact page with responses within 3 business days.
  • When BLS issues revisions, we update our data and note the revision in affected pages.

Important Disclaimers

This website does not provide financial advice. Salary data represents statistical estimates only and should not be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, job negotiations, or career planning. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.

No government affiliation. SalaryMetro is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. For official data, visit bls.gov/oes.

Questions about our methodology or data? Contact us or learn more on our About page.

Last updated: March 2026