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An official website of the United States government
The Bureau of Labors Statistics, also known as BLS or the Bureau, is the statistical wing of the U.S. Department of Labor and the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. BLS collects, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, Congress, Federal and State agencies, business, the media, and academia. Federal policy makers, public institutions, and private citizens use the economic indicators that we provide.
BLS publishes information about the Nation’s economy relating to employment, unemployment, and other characteristics of the labor force; consumer and producer prices, consumer expenditures, import and export prices; wages and other worker compensation; productivity and technological change; safety and health statistics; international comparisons of labor statistics; and employment projections.
You will have potential opportunities to work in one of five major program areas at BLS, based on the availability of positions and your personal qualifications. Here is some information to give you an idea of the type of work you might be doing.
Yes, and at the time of application.
Absolutely! BLS employees are paid under a federal system called the General Schedule or "GS" for short. Entry level employees are generally hired at the GS-5, GS-7, or GS-9 levels (the higher the grade, the higher the salary). To view current salary information for Federal employees, go to Office of Personnel Management?s website to view the current salaries and wages. Pay tables are updated annually and vary depending on metropolitan areas.
Keep in mind that the target grade in BLS for economists, mathematical statisticians, and information technology specialists is GS-12. An employee with satisfactory performance ratings would be promoted as follows: GS-5 ~ GS-7 ~ GS-9 ~ GS~11 ~ GS-12. These grade level increases are called "career ladder" promotions. You can normally reach the target grade level within four years of your appointment date. The potential for rapid advancement is a tremendous benefit in working for the BLS. Please note that each grade level has 10 steps with increasing salaries. In addition to the career ladder promotions previously mentioned, you will be eligible for step increases within each grade at the completion of the career ladder.
For all Economist positions, you must have a bachelor’s degree with 21 semester hours in economics, and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.
A Bachelor’s degree will qualify you for employment as an Economist at the GS-5 level. However, you might be eligible for a higher grade and pay if you meet certain additional criteria. Please take a look at the following requirements to see if you qualify at the GS- 7 or 9 levels.
To qualify as an Economist at the GS-7 level, you must:
To qualify as an Economist at the GS-9 level, you must:
For all IT Specialist positions, you must have a bachelor’s degree in information science, computer science, mathematics, statistics, operations research, or engineering or 24 semester hours in computer-related course work. If you meet these criteria, you will qualify for employment as an Information Technologist at the GS-5 level. However, you might be eligible for a higher grade and pay if you meet certain additional criteria. Please take a look at the following requirements to see if you qualify at the GS- 7 or 9 levels.
To qualify as an Information Technology Specialist at the GS-7 level, you must:
To qualify as an Information Technology Specialist at the GS-9 level, you must:
For all Mathematical Statistician positions, you must have a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours in mathematics and statistics, of which at least 12 hours must be in mathematics (at or above the calculus level) and 6 hours in statistics. If you meet these criteria, you will qualify for employment as a Mathematical Statistician at the GS-5 level. However, you might be eligible for a higher grade and pay if you meet certain additional criteria. Please take a look at the following requirements to see if you qualify at the GS- 7 or 9 levels.
To qualify as a Mathematical Statistician at the GS-7 level, you must:
To qualify as a Mathematical Statistician at the GS-9 level, you must:
Positions are located in the National Office in Washington, DC, and at BLS Regional Offices in Boston/New York, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and San Francisco.
Please visit our Search/Apply for Jobs page to learn more about the application process. Specific job announcements will provide you with detailed instructions on how to apply for our positions and where to submit your application.
We believe in and are strongly committed to the recruitment and retention of a highly diverse workforce. We are continually striving to ensure that BLS has a workforce that reflects the diversity of our country.
Promotional opportunities are excellent at BLS and, as a result, our new entry-level employees are eligible for promotion to higher grades. We recognize, appreciate, and reward talent and achievement.
BLS offers hiring bonuses for some occupations on a limited case-by-case basis.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is committed to being a "Lifelong Learning Organization," which provides the opportunity for every employee to learn continuously in order to improve organizational performance. Training begins the day you enter on duty at the Bureau of Labor Statistics through orientation and continues throughout your career. The following types of training are available:
BLS provides monetary awards and non-monetary forms of recognition for our best performers. We appreciate the work of our employees and take the time to recognize and thank them.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has temporarily suspended the student employment program
As additional information concerning recruitment activities is available, this page will be updated.
In the interim, please forward questions regarding BLS hiring to Careers@BLS. For your convenience, we may be reached by phone at 800-827-5334.
Washington, DC, is the seat of government for our Nation and the home of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums, the National Gallery of Art, the Kennedy Center, as well as numerous national monuments.
Entertainment in Washington, DC, is varied and virtually unlimited. Whether you prefer theater, football, opera, or tennis, Washington, DC, has a wide range of venues, resources, and people who share your interests. You sports enthusiasts have your choice of hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, and football teams and events at local sports complexes, bike trails, and golf courses, and organized fund-raisers and events such as triathlons and bike rides.
Our office in Washington, DC, offers numerous amenities including a fitness center, a cafeteria, a health center, and transportation subsidies.
Please see www.dc.gov for more information.
Our BLS Regional Offices are located in the following large metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Boston, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. There are smaller BLS branch offices in many more great cities! The possibilities found in such a breadth of metropolitan settings are endless.
Our regional cities are beautiful and exciting, boasting world famous buildings, monuments, museums, and parks.
Our BLS regional offices offer numerous amenities including fitness centers, cafeterias, training centers, and transit subsidies.
Last Modified Date: November 18, 2011
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