A Look at New Skills Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
April, 16 2025The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently released new skills data for national employment projections. This information can be used by a variety of data users including jobseekers, career counselors, students, workers, employers, and training professionals to assess skills needed now and into the future for their occupations of interest. This article will provide an overview of the 17 skills categories defined by the BLS, potential use cases, and the top skills needed for Oregon’s fastest growing occupations.
Skills Categories and Definitions
The BLS defines a skill as a general human capacity that is developed (learned over time through education, training, and/or experience), general (applicable across many occupations), applied (involving action beyond cognitive knowledge of a subject), and work related (limited to performance in employment). The BLS utilized data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), conducted factor analysis, and reviewed feedback gathered through cognitive testing with potential data users to develop the skills data framework. The 17 skill categories defined by the BLS are outlined below.
Adaptability: Adjusts behavior or work methods in response to new information or changing conditions; open to change and new information; maintains composure even with changing circumstances; actively learns and uses relevant knowledge to adapt to changes
Computers and information technology: Uses computers and related technology to accomplish work activities, including tasks such as sending emails, using the internet to find information, using word processor or spreadsheet applications, programming computers, designing websites, and managing computer networks
Creativity and innovation: Uses imagination to develop new insights in situations and applies innovative solutions to problems; designs, creates, and implements cutting-edge processes, ideas, or products, including artistic contributions
Critical and analytical thinking: Applies logic and reasoning to analyze information, identify strengths and weaknesses of various approaches and solutions to problems, and draw conclusions
Customer service: Works with external customers (for example, clients, patients, and consumers); tasks involve providing information and assistance to customers, dealing with difficult people or situations, and convincing others to buy goods or services
Detail oriented: Pays close attention to all the small particulars when working on a task or project
Fine motor: Coordinates the use of fingers, hands, and wrists to make precise movements
Interpersonal: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others, leading to the development and support of effective relationships
Leadership: Influences and guides others to accomplish strategic plans by leading, mentoring, taking charge, building teams, and offering direction
Mathematics: Uses principles of mathematics rules and methods to express ideas and solve problems; tasks involve comprehending and accurately interpreting mathematical information, applying mathematical reasoning, and formulating a solution
Mechanical: Applies knowledge of machines, systems, and tools to complete tasks such as operating, monitoring, maintaining, troubleshooting, building, installing, and repairing mechanical or electrical devices and equipment
Physical strength and stamina: Uses the body to complete work-related duties, such as standing for long periods to help customers, exerting muscular force to lift heavy objects, and coordinating the movement of multiple limbs to entertain a crowd through dance or athletics
Problem solving and decision making: Identifies complex problems, determines accuracy and relevance of information, uses judgment to develop and evaluate options, and implements solutions
Project management: Applies knowledge, methods, and processes to achieve the objectives of a project; tasks involve developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing resources, including monitoring costs, work, and contractor performance
Science: Uses principles of scientific rules and methods to express ideas and solve problems; tasks involve comprehending and accurately interpreting scientific information and formulating solutions to scientific problems
Speaking and listening: Communicates verbally to convey, exchange, and receive ideas and information
Writing and reading: Communicates in writing to convey, exchange, and receive ideas and information
Uses for Skills Data
Skills are mapped to detailed occupations using O*NET elements that describe work activities, then scored and rated on a scale from one (not important) to five (extremely important) to determine their importance to each occupation where data are available. For example, the O*NET elements active learning and updating and using relevant knowledge are mapped to the adaptability skill.
The skills data can serve a variety of data users including jobseekers, career counselors, students, workers, employers, training professionals, and researchers. Jobseekers can use skills data to either find occupations by skills of interest or, conversely, learn about the skills needed for occupations of interest. For example, jobseekers interested in mathematics may find the skill score for that category is very high for data scientists, actuaries, and statisticians. Jobseekers interested in becoming data scientists may find that writing and reading and computers and information technology are also important skills to master to perform the occupation. Students, career counselors, and workers looking to advance their careers can use the skills data to plan future education, training and development needs.
Top Skills for Oregon’s Fastest-Growing Occupations
By using the BLS’s skill scores for detailed occupations, we can determine the most important skills needed for occupations in Oregon. Looking at Oregon’s fastest-growing occupations from 2023 to 2033, 13 out of the 15 fastest growing score adaptability as one of their top three most important skills. Detail oriented was the second most listed skill among Oregon’s fastest-growing occupations. Critical thinking and interpersonal skills were tied for the third most frequently listed among Oregon’s fastest-growing occupations.
It is important to note that the importance of various skills within an occupation can vary by level of skills needed, location, and industry.
More Information
For additional information, visit the BLS’s Employment Projections Skills Data page.