What the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey measures
The BLS OEWS estimates employment and pay for wage-and-salary workers in many nonfarm occupations. Our linked dataset uses May 2025 occupational wages. Annual 25th, median and 75th percentile values describe a distribution of survey-based employment wages. These are not a current jobs feed.
How to compare two metros
Choose the same occupational code in both places. Compare the median as a baseline, then look at the middle wage range. A metro with a higher median may also have higher housing and transport costs; the median alone cannot answer whether you should move.
A percentile is not a seniority level
The 25th percentile is not 'entry-level pay' and the 75th percentile is not a guaranteed senior salary. Occupations mix employers, industries, schedules, skills and experience. Some compensation arrangements such as bonuses, stock options or business ownership are not included in the same way as normal wages.
BEA price parity is not a personal rent multiplier
BEA regional price parities measure comparative regional price levels across a basket of goods and services. A metro index above 100 suggests a generally higher price environment, but it does not tell you what apartment is available near your work. Our calculator does not convert BEA price parity into an apartment rent or a tax rate.
Check the original period before comparing offers
BLS May 2025 wages and BEA 2024 price parities refer to different periods. We display them separately and avoid describing either as today's job offer. Always use the actual advertised compensation package and current housing quotes when the decision is imminent.
Where to go from here
Review the salary atlas, choose a role and a metro, click to apply the published median only if it helps as a benchmark, and replace it with your individual job offer before accepting a move.