O*NET® Data Collection Overview

The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is the nation’s most comprehensive database of worker attributes and job characteristics.

To build and maintain this resource, O*NET uses a multi-method data collection program drawing from a wide variety of sources, including:

  • AI/SME
  • Analyst Ratings
  • Customer & Professional Association Input
  • Employer Job Postings
  • Government Programs
  • Job Incumbents
  • Machine Learning
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Occupational Experts
  • Transactional Data
  • Web Research

Spanning 900 occupation profiles and over 55,000 jobs, each profile is a reliable source of current information. Portions of every profile are refreshed annually, while details such as job titles and technology skills are updated even more frequently. As new tools and methods emerge, O*NET continues to enhance and expand its data collection.

For information on data currency, see Occupation Update Summary.

For technical reports on the development of O*NET content and data, see Reports and Documents.