For release 10:00 A.M. (ET) Tuesday, December 22, 2020					         USDL-20-2307

Technical information: 	(202) 691-6199   orsinfo@bls.gov  	www.bls.gov/ors
Media contact:	  	(202) 691-5902   pressoffice@bls.gov

			OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2020

On average, civilian workers spent 4.25 hours of the workday standing in 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor 
Statistics reported today. Workers stood for 57.3 percent of the workday and spent the rest of the workday 
sitting. The choice to sit or stand to perform critical tasks in support of critical job functions was 
available to 42.5 percent of civilian workers. (See table 1.) 

Workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations spent 64.5 percent of the workday standing.
These workers stood an average of 5.47 hours a day. Within this occupational group, medical records 
specialists spent 1.50 hours, or 19.1 percent, of the workday standing and surgical technologists stood for 
8.02 hours, or 88.6 percent, of the workday. (See table 1.)

Seventy-one percent of the workday was spent standing for workers in healthcare support occupations with 5.04
hours standing. Within this occupational group, dental assistants spent 3.95 hours, or 49.5 percent, of the
workday standing and nursing assistants stood for 7.29 hours, or 86.0 percent, of the workday. (See table 1.)

The choice to sit or stand was available to 32.2 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical
occupations. Within this occupational group, no surgical technologists and 77.4 percent of medical records
specialists had the choice between sitting and standing. (See table 1.) 

The choice to sit or stand was available to 17.8 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations. Within
this occupational group, a choice between sitting and standing was available to 13.0 percent of nursing 
assistants and to 26.3 percent of dental assistants. 

Sixteen percent of civilian workers were required to problem solve more than once per day and 58.1 percent 
were required to problem solve less often than monthly, including never. (See table 2.) In order to separate
routine decisions from problem solving, workers must be faced with new or different problems that have no 
obvious solution and require time, at least 5 minutes, to consider the best solution. Situations where 
workers are trained to respond quickly, such as a medical emergency, do not meet the threshold for problem
solving.

Thirty-five percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations were required to problem
solve more than once per day. Within this occupational group, 76.5 percent of occupational therapists were 
required to problem solve more than once per day. (See table 2.)

Ninety percent of workers in healthcare support occupations were required to problem solve less often than
monthly, including never. Within this occupational group, 94.2 percent of psychiatric aides were required to
problem solve less often than monthly, including never. (See table 2.)

Constant verbal interactions, every few minutes were present for 28.8 percent of civilian workers. (See table
3.) Occupations with this requirement include:
	* 34.8 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
		* 36.0 percent of nurse practitioners 
		* 46.9 percent of physician assistants 
	* 39.1 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations 
		* 22.7 percent of dental assistants 
		* 56.6 percent of nursing assistants 

Fifty percent of civilian workers were required to perform verbal interactions not constantly, but more than 
once per hour. (See table 3.) Occupations with this requirement include:
	* 61.0 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations 
		* 53.1 percent of physician assistants 
		* 63.9 percent of nurse practitioners 
	* 54.1 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations
		* 42.2 percent of nursing assistants 
		* 77.2 percent of dental assistants

A high school diploma was the minimum formal education required for 40.4 percent of civilian workers and an 
associate's degree was required for 4.3 percent of civilian workers. A high school diploma was the minimum 
education required for 18.0 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations and 17.9
percent required an associate's degree. Within this occupational group, 83.2 percent of medical records 
specialists needed a high school diploma to fulfill minimum formal education requirements. An associate's 
degree was required for 49.0 percent of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. (See table 4.)

A high school diploma was the minimum education required for 65.3 percent of workers in healthcare support
occupations and 5.4 percent required an associate's degree. Within the occupational group, 90.3 percent of
phlebotomists required a high school diploma to fulfill minimum formal education requirements. (See table 4.)

Exposure to wetness was present for 34.2 percent of civilian workers. (See table 5.) 
	* Wetness was present for 76.7 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and technical 
	  occupations. Within this occupational group, 89.0 percent of dental hygienists and 90.0 percent of
	  emergency medical technicians were exposed to wetness. 
	* Wetness was present for 86.1 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations. Within this 
	  occupational group, 94.8 percent of psychiatric aides and 96.1 percent of nursing assistants were 
	  exposed to wetness. 
Outdoor exposure was present for 33.8 percent of civilian workers. The other 66.2 percent of civilian workers
were not exposed to the outdoors. (See table 5.)
	* Exposure to the outdoors was required for 8.7 percent of workers in healthcare practitioners and 
	  technical occupations. Within this occupational group, 88.7 percent of emergency medical 
	  technicians were exposed to the outdoors and 98.2 percent of pharmacy technicians were not exposed
	  to the outdoors.
	* Outdoor exposure was present for 35.8 percent of workers in healthcare support occupations. Within
	  this occupational group, 74.0 percent of home health aides were exposed to the outdoors and 100.0 
	  percent of dental assistants were not exposed to the outdoors.
  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 |                                                                                                          |
 |          Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Impact on the 2020 Occupational Requirements Survey   	    |
 | The collection period for the ORS 2020 data was August 2019 through July 31, 2020. Information related to|
 | the impact of COVID-19 on the ORS is available at www.bls.gov/covid19/effects-of-covid-19-on-workplace-  |
 | injuries-and-illnesses-compensation-and-occupational-requirements.htm#ORS.		           	    |
 |__________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
 
 
 
 
 Table 1. Percentage of workers with sitting and standing requirements, 2020  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Average hours of sitting
Average percent of workday day spent sitting
Average hours of standing
Average percent of workday spent standing
Choice of sitting or standing
Estimate
Standard 
error
Estimate
Standard 
error
Estimate
Standard 
error
Estimate
Standard 
error
Allowed
Not allowed
Standard 
error
 
All workers
3.37
[1]
42.7
0.5
4.25
[1]
57.3
0.5
42.5
57.5
0.6
  Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
2.95
0.09
35.5
1.1
5.47
0.12
64.5
1.1
32.2
67.8
1.8
    Pharmacists
1.62
0.13
24.8
3.4
5.73
0.37
75.2
3.4
45.2
54.8
7.5
    Physician assistants
3.38
0.29
36.4
2.5
5.64
0.23
63.6
2.5
64.8
35.2
10.3
    Physical therapists
1.70
0.21
23.2
2.8
5.69
0.30
76.8
2.8
42.7
57.3
10.6
    Respiratory therapists
2.80
0.34
30.9
4.3
6.55
0.56
69.1
4.3
-
-
-
    Registered nurses
2.61
0.18
30.3
1.8
6.24
0.12
69.7
1.8
22.5
77.5
4.6
    Nurse midwives
3.04
0.48
37.4
5.9
5.17
0.56
62.6
5.9
-
-
-
    Nurse practitioners
2.97
0.60
37.3
7.2
4.99
0.51
62.7
7.2
40.4
59.6
13.1
    Dental hygienists
5.42
0.40
70.3
3.7
2.29
0.27
29.7
3.7
-
-
-
    Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
3.56
0.36
43.1
4.0
4.45
0.34
56.9
4.0
45.6
54.4
10.8
    Magnetic resonance imaging technologists
-
-
35.0
6.9
4.90
0.39
65.0
6.9
-
-
-
    Emergency medical technicians
5.34
1.26
46.2
7.4
5.99
0.91
53.8
7.4
-
100.0
[2]
    Pharmacy technicians
1.01
0.37
12.7
4.6
6.36
0.42
87.3
4.6
32.2
67.8
9.5
    Surgical technologists
1.01
0.2
11.4
2.6
8.02
0.69
88.6
2.6
-
100
[2]
    Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
2.42
0.25
27.9
2.8
6.17
0.24
72.1
2.8
15.5
84.5
3.5
    Medical records specialists
6.42
0.21
80.9
2.4
1.50
0.18
19.1
2.4
77.4
22.6
9.3
    Opticians, dispensing
4.40
0.89
58.6
13.0
3.23
1.04
41.4
13.0
-
-
-
  Healthcare support occupations
2.08
0.09
29.0
1.1
5.04
0.08
71.0
1.1
17.8
82.2
3.9
    Personal care aides
1.68
0.07
25.4
2.1
4.68
0.23
74.6
2.1
14.5
85.5
6.5
    Nursing assistants
1.20
0.09
14.0
0.9
7.29
0.31
86.0
0.9
13.0
87.0
4.5
    Psychiatric aides
1.85
0.40
23.4
5.0
6.08
0.41
76.6
5.0
-
-
-
    Occupational therapy assistants
2.66
0.47
33.5
5.8
5.26
0.46
66.5
5.8
-
-
-
    Physical therapist assistants
2.16
0.27
27.0
3.3
5.97
0.40
73.0
3.3
-
-
-
    Dental assistants
4.04
0.20
50.5
2.4
3.95
0.22
49.5
2.4
26.3
73.7
9.0
    Phlebotomists
2.63
0.62
33.2
7.2
5.16
0.50
66.8
7.2
-
-
-
[1] Standard error is less than 0.05.
[2] Standard error is less than 0.5.
Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. Due to rounding, sum of estimates may not equal 100 percent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey
 
 
 Table 2. Percentage of workers with problem solving requirements, 2020  
 
Occupational group and detailed occupation by frequency
Required
Standard 
error
 
More than once per day
  All workers
16.0
0.5
    Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
35.0
2.7
        Physician assistants
66.5
8.3
        Occupational therapists
76.5
8.0
        Physical therapists
57.3
7.9
        Nurse practitioners
65.0
10.3
        Obstetricians and gynecologists
68.2
16.4
        Emergency medical technicians
27.7
8.9
        Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
15.0
4.0
        Medical records specialists
9.6
3.2
Less often than monthly, including never
  All workers
58.1
[1]
    Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
30.4
2.0
        Dental hygienists
68.8
6.5
        Emergency medical technicians
49.6
13.2
        Pharmacy technicians
92.1
5.0
        Surgical technologists
94.7
4.2
        Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
57.3
3.5
        Medical records specialists
61.5
6.8
    Healthcare support occupations
90.0
1.2
        Home health aides
100.0
[1]
        Personal care aides
92.6
1.0
        Nursing assistants
90.7
5.9
        Psychiatric aides
94.2
3.8
        Physical therapist assistants
72.6
14.3
        Dental assistants
92.6
3.5
        Medical assistants
76.9
5.0
        Medical equipment preparers
92.7
3.3
        Phlebotomists
84.7
9.1
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
Note: This table does not include all categories of problem solving frequency
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

 
 Table 3. Percentage of workers with verbal interaction requirements, 2020  
 
Occupational group and detailed occupation
Required constantly, every few minutes
Required not constantly, but more than once per hour
Estimate
Standard 
error
Estimate
Standard 
error
 
  All workers
28.8
0.6
50.0
0.6
    Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
34.8
2.0
61.0
1.8
        Pharmacists
58.8
8.3
32.8
6.7
        Physician assistants
46.9
10.9
53.1
10.9
        Occupational therapists
34.0
13.2
65.9
13.2
        Physical therapists
48.6
10.8
48.2
10.8
        Recreational therapists
36.3
7.1
61.1
8.0
        Respiratory therapists
-
-
73.0
12.0
        Speech-language pathologists
59.1
11.5
40.7
11.4
        Registered nurses
35.6
4.2
62.7
4.0
        Nurse midwives
-
-
87.4
9.0
        Nurse practitioners
36.0
9.3
63.9
9.3
        Obstetricians and gynecologists
-
-
77.9
8.9
        Dental hygienists
-
-
78.1
5.4
        Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
-
-
65.6
10.5
        Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
-
-
81.7
10.6
        Diagnostic medical sonographers
-
-
88.4
6.2
        Nuclear medicine technologists
24.5
7.1
69.9
7.6
        Emergency medical technicians
28.9
6.3
59.8
8.0
        Pharmacy technicians
44.8
7.1
55.1
7.2
        Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
47.8
5.1
51.1
4.9
        Medical records specialists
-
-
53.0
6.5
        Opticians, dispensing
-
-
88.3
7.2
        Genetic counselors
-
-
57.4
9.9
    Healthcare support occupations
39.1
2.5
54.1
1.8
        Home health aides
-
-
66.0
15.4
        Personal care aides
39.1
5.3
50.8
7.6
        Nursing assistants
56.6
9.3
42.2
9.0
        Psychiatric aides
-
-
77.4
13
        Physical therapist assistants
75.0
13.9
-
-
        Dental assistants
22.7
4.9
77.2
4.9
        Medical assistants
53.6
6.8
46.1
6.7
        Phlebotomists
65.9
14.1
34.1
14.1
Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. This table does not include all categories of verbal interaction frequency
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

 
 Table 4. Percentage of workers with minimum formal education requirements, 2020  
 
Occupational group and detailed occupation by minimum formal education
Required
Standard 
error
 
High school diploma
All workers
40.4
0.7
    Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
18.0
1.7
        Recreational therapists
12.6
4.8
        Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
45.3
12.0
        Nuclear medicine technologists
7.0
3.1
        Emergency medical technicians
81.1
7.5
        Pharmacy technicians
85.8
6.0
        Surgical technologists
58.1
16.6
        Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
33.1
8.3
        Medical records specialists
83.2
5.2
    Healthcare support occupations
65.3
3.1
        Home health aides
58.7
13.7
        Personal care aides
62.0
7.5
        Nursing assistants
74.9
6.7
        Psychiatric aides
83.8
8.8
        Dental assistants
62.3
8.4
        Medical assistants
70.1
7.1
        Medical equipment preparers
100.0
[1]
        Phlebotomists
90.3
9.1
Associate's degree
  All workers
4.3
[1]
    Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
17.9
1.3
        Radiation therapists
13.7
5.5
        Respiratory therapists
40.0
13.7
        Registered nurses
24.9
2.8
        Diagnostic medical sonographers
16.5
5.2
        Nuclear medicine technologists
26.5
6.6
        Radiologic technologists and technicians
29.6
8.2
        Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
49.0
6.1
        Medical records specialists
9.1
2.4
    Healthcare support occupations
5.4
1.0
        Occupational therapy assistants
62.6
14.6
        Physical therapist assistants
65.6
11.2
        Medical assistants
11.5
4.1
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. This table does not include all categories of minimum formal education.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

 
 Table 5. Percentage of workers with environmental exposure requirements, 2020  
 
Occupation and occupational group
Exposure to wetness
Exposure to the outdoors
Required
Not 
required
Standard 
error
Required
Not 
required
Standard 
error
 
All workers
34.2
65.8
0.6
33.8
66.2
0.5
    Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
76.7
23.3
1.6
8.7
91.3
0.7
        Pharmacists
63.9
36.1
8.9
-
100.0
[1]
        Physician assistants
90.2
-
4.7
-
100.0
[1]
        Occupational therapists
83.6
16.4
7.9
-
90.3
[1]
        Physical therapists
67.5
32.5
10.7
-
85.5
9.0
        Radiation therapists
57.8
-
15.6
-
99.2
0.9
        Recreational therapists
54.0
46.0
7.9
63.9
36.1
8.8
        Respiratory therapists
74.0
-
13.1
-
100.0
[1]
        Speech-language pathologists
26.0
74.0
9.3
-
96.0
3.5
        Exercise physiologists
63.3
36.7
10.8
-
97.5
1.0
        Registered nurses
87.2
12.8
3.3
3.6
96.4
1.0
        Nurse midwives
97.9
-
2.7
-
100.0
[1]
        Nurse practitioners
81.9
-
10.2
-
100.0
[1]
        Obstetricians and gynecologists
89.1
-
8.8
-
100.0
[1]
        Dental hygienists
89.0
-
9.8
-
100.0
[1]
        Medical and clinical laboratory technologists
85.1
-
9.8
-
100.0
[1]
        Medical and clinical laboratory technicians
84.7
-
4.6
-
100.0
[1]
        Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
78.1
-
10.4
-
100.0
[1]
        Diagnostic medical sonographers
83.7
-
3.4
-
100.0
[1]
        Nuclear medicine technologists
76.1
-
5.4
-
100.0
[1]
        Emergency medical technicians
90.0
-
3.7
88.7
-
2.1
        Pharmacy technicians
38.6
61.4
8.5
-
98.2
1.7
        Surgical technologists
98.6
-
1.2
-
100.0
[1]
        Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
87.0
13
3.4
21.9
78.1
4.2
        Opticians, dispensing
66.0
-
16
-
100.0
[1]
    Healthcare support occupations
86.1
13.9
1.9
35.8
64.2
2.0
        Home health aides
91.1
-
2.7
74.0
26.0
8.2
        Personal care aides
84.1
15.9
3.9
54.9
45.1
6.3
        Nursing assistants
96.1
-
1.8
21.9
78.1
3.8
        Psychiatric aides
94.8
-
4.1
-
-
-
        Occupational therapy assistants
95.7
-
1.5
-
87.2
5.4
        Physical therapist assistants
88.7
11.3
4.4
-
76.2
7.9
        Dental assistants
89.9
-
5.7
-
100.0
[1]
        Medical assistants
82.9
-
8.8
-
99.7
[1]
        Medical equipment preparers
91.1
-
8.5
-
100.0
[1]
        Phlebotomists
90.4
-
8.3
-
100.0
[1]
[1] Standard error is less than 0.5.
Note: Dashes indicate that estimate was not publishable or there are no workers with the requirement. Due to rounding, sum of estimates may not equal 100 percent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

					       Technical Note
									
The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) provides job-related information about the physical demands; 
environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements
in the U.S. economy. 

Additional job requirement estimates are available at www.bls.gov/web/ors/ors-complete-dataset.xlsx and
www.bls.gov/ors/data.htm. For information on estimation concepts and methods see the Handbook of Methods at
www.bls.gov/opub/hom/ors/home.htm and www.bls.gov/ors/questions-and-answers.htm.

Sample size: The ORS is a nationally representative establishment-based survey. Estimates are produced from
a probability sample of 20,000 establishments. There were 10,400 private industry and 2,300 state and local
government responding establishments that provided approximately 59,700 occupational observations. The 2020
estimates represent 128,529,000 civilian workers. 

These estimates are from two of five sample groups and are considered preliminary. Data from all five sample
groups collected between September 2018 and July 2023 will be aggregated to produce the final estimates with
an expected reference year of 2023. 

Standard errors: To assist users in ascertaining the reliability of ORS estimates, standard errors are made
available with the release. Standard errors provide users a measure of the precision of an estimate to ensure
that it is within an acceptable range for their intended purpose. 

Collected and imputed data are included in the standard error calculation. For further information and how to
use the standard errors see www.bls.gov/ors/se.htm. 

Major terms: Additional terminology and concepts are explained in the collection manual at 
www.bls.gov/ors/information-for-survey-participants/pdf/occupational-requirements-survey-collection-manual-
082019.pdf and the Handbook of Methods at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/ors/home.htm. 

Critical job function - This is the main purpose and the primary pay factor for the job. It consists of 
critical tasks that are integral to the job.

Critical tasks - Activities workers must perform to carry out their critical job function(s).

Sitting is present when workers remain in a seated position or are lying down. When workers may choose 
between sitting and standing, that work time is included in sitting for the hours and percent of workday 
estimates.

Standing is present when workers are walking or in low postures. 

Choice of sitting or standing is present when workers can alternate between positions, and three conditions
exist: (1) workers typically have the flexibility to choose between sitting and standing throughout the 
workday; (2) there are no assigned periods during the workday to sit or stand; and (3) no external factors 
determine whether workers must sit or stand.