How we know.

Evidence grades

A · Official data. Published by a federal statistical agency and reported as published.

B · Official projection or established research. Forward-looking or model-based. Real uncertainty.

C · Early signal. Limited or single-source evidence worth watching.

D · Contested. Credible sources disagree, and we show each side.

People and machines

Collecting data, extracting numbers, detecting changes and writing routine update notes are automated, and every displayed number is checked against its source file. Anything interpretive, anything about a named college, and anything contested is approved by a human editor.

Information, not advice

We describe what national data says about careers and degrees. We don't tell anyone what to choose. The data can't see your strengths, your circumstances or your calling, and averages hide wide ranges. Use it to ask better questions, then talk with people who know you.

Estimates

“Typical time after high school” translates BLS's entry-level education category into years (for example, a bachelor's degree as 4 years). It is our estimate, not a published figure.

Sources and credits

Career pages include information from the O*NET® 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Vocational Index has modified all or some of this information. BLS, College Scorecard and NCES data are U.S. government works in the public domain. No agency endorses Vocational Index.