The O*NET database contains a rich set of variables that describe work and worker characteristics, including skill requirements. Developers and other customers are encouraged to incorporate the O*NET database within their products, services, and research. This section contains an overview of the most recent database and a variety of database download options, as well as format-specific data dictionaries.
Highlights of the O*NET 27.1 Database
The 27.1 release includes the following:
- 157 technology skills, related to 892 occupations via 10,707 linkages, were identified as “Hot Technologies” using an updated approach.
- 2,515 technology skill linkages were identified as “In Demand” for 478 occupations.
- 641 technology skill linkages related to 215 occupations were added from employer job postings.
- 18 alternate titles related to 13 occupations were added from customer input and other sources.
This release updates the approach to identifying “Hot Technologies” and introduces the concept of “In Demand” technology skills.
- Hot Technologies are software and technology requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
- In Demand technology skills are software and technology requirements frequently included in the employer job postings for a particular occupation.
The purpose of the two designations is to enable O*NET customers to learn which technology skills employers in the US economy are presently emphasizing and searching for while recruiting employees. For additional details on the Hot Technology and In Demand designations, see Hot Technologies and In Demand Technology Skills within the O*NET System in our Reports and Documents area.
In the 27.0 database,
80 occupations were updated by job incumbents and occupational experts.
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- Addition and update of Task Statement ratings (importance, relevance, and frequency) for 80 occupations
- Addition and update of Abilities, Skills, Work Activities, Knowledge, and Work Context data for 80 occupations
- Addition and update of Training and Work Experience and Education data for 80 occupations
- Addition and update of Work Styles data for 80 occupations
- Addition and update of Job Zones data for 80 occupations
- Addition and update of Detailed Work Activities (DWAs) and linkages for 238 occupations
- Addition and update of Alternate Titles and Sample of Reported Titles for 402 occupations
- Update of Level Scale Anchors descriptions for 89 anchors in the Abilities and Skills domains
For additional details on the Level Scale Anchors update, see O*NET Level Scale Anchor Updates: Abilities and Skills Domains in our Reports and Documents area.
The O*NET Database: A Primary Source of Occupational Information
The O*NET database has a wide variety of worker and job oriented data categories. The O*NET Content Model provides the framework that identifies and organizes this important information about work. The O*NET-SOC Occupation Taxonomy covers work performed in the U.S. economy and defines the set of occupations for which data is collected.
The O*NET Data Collection Program currently makes updates to the O*NET Database on a quarterly basis, with a primary update occurring in the 3rd quarter of each year. Listings showing data updates by category or occupation are available on the Occupation Update Summary page. See Data Publication Schedule for a listing of primary updates and collection history. Past releases of the O*NET Database are available on the Database Releases Archive page.
Science Behind the O*NET Database
We have published several reports to explain the research and procedures involved in developing the O*NET Database. To learn more, visit these sections in our Reports and Documents area:
Share or Adapt the O*NET Database
The O*NET 27.1 Database is available under a Creative Commons license. See the
Database license page for more information.
The O*NET database is provided in five formats:
- Microsoft Excel (XLSX)
- Tab-delimited text files
- SQL files for MySQL, PostgreSQL, or compatible relational databases
- SQL files for Microsoft SQL Server
- SQL files for Oracle Database
Previous releases of the database are available at the Database Releases Archive.
The O*NET 27.1 Database is available under a Creative Commons license. See the
Database license page for more information.
All Files
O*NET 27.1 Database
Download all 36 files in the O*NET core database, in one convenient ZIP archive.
Data Dictionary
Read the comprehensive documentation for the O*NET 27.1 Database online.
Individual File Documentation
The O*NET 27.1 Database is available under a Creative Commons license. See the
Database license page for more information.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Knowledge
This file contains the Content Model Knowledge data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Skills
This file contains the Content Model Skill data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Abilities
This file contains the Content Model Ability data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Education, Experience, Training
Education, Training, and Experience
This file contains the percent frequency data associated with Education, Training, and Experience Content Model elements.
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Education, Training, and Experience Categories
This file contains the categories associated with the Education, Training, and Experience content area.
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Job Zones
This file contains each O*NET-SOC code and its corresponding Job Zone number.
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Job Zone Reference
This file describes the five O*NET Job Zones, which are groups of occupations that need the same level of experience, education, and training.
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Interests, Work Values, Work Styles
Interests
This file contains the Content Model Interest data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Work Values
This file contains the Content Model Work Values data associated with each O*NET- SOC occupation.
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Work Styles
This file contains the Content Model Work Styles data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Tasks
Task Statements
This file contains the tasks associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Task Ratings
This file contains the task ratings associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Task Categories
This file contains the categories associated with the Task content area.
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Emerging Tasks
This file contains new and revised task statements proposed for future data collection.
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Technology Skills & Tools
Technology Skills updated in 27.1
This file contains the Technology Skills examples, including hot and in-demand technologies, associated with O*NET-SOC occupations.
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Tools Used
This file contains the Tools Used examples associated with O*NET-SOC occupations.
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UNSPSC Reference
This file contains a listing of commodities in the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC), version 23.0701.
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Work Activities
Work Activities
This file contains the Content Model Work Activity data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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IWA Reference
This file contains each Intermediate Work Activity and its corresponding O*NET Work Activity element ID.
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DWA Reference
This file contains each Detailed Work Activity and its corresponding GWA and IWA identifiers.
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Tasks to DWAs
This file maps each Detailed Work Activity (DWA) to the task statements, and consequently to the O*NET-SOC occupations, requiring that activity.
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Work Context
Work Context
This file contains the Content Model Work Context data associated with each O*NET-SOC occupation.
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Work Context Categories
This file contains the categories associated with the Work Context content area.
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Occupation Titles
Occupation Data
This file contains each O*NET-SOC code, occupational title, and definition/description.
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Alternate Titles updated in 27.1
This file contains alternate, or "lay", occupational titles for the O*NET-SOC classification system.
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Sample of Reported Titles
This file contains job titles frequently reported by incumbents and occupational experts on data collection surveys.
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Related Occupations
Related Occupations
For each O*NET-SOC code included, 10 primary and 10 supplemental related O*NET-SOC codes are listed.
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Cross-Domain Linkages
Abilities to Work Activities
This file contains linkages between abilities and relevant work activities.
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Abilities to Work Context
This file contains linkages between abilities and relevant work context.
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Skills to Work Activities
This file contains linkages between skills and relevant work activities.
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Skills to Work Context
This file contains linkages between skills and relevant work context.
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Data Collection
Content Model Reference
This file contains the Content Model elements and descriptions.
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Occupation Level Metadata
This file contains occupational level metadata variables associated with data collection statistics.
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Level Scale Anchors
This file contains the scale anchors associated with the following four content areas – 1) Abilities, 2) Knowledge, 3) Skills, and 4) Work Activities.
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Scales Reference
This file contains the Scale information by which the raw values are measured.
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Survey Booklet Locations
This file contains the Content Model elements that have corresponding survey item numbers in the Survey Booklet.
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Competency Frameworks
The downloads labeled “JSON-LD” contain machine-readable Linked Data
external site described using the CTDL-ASN
external site schema (Credential Transparency Description Language Profile of Achievement Standards Network Description Language) developed by the Credential Engine
external site project.
Knowledge Competency Framework
This file contains the hierarchy of Knowledge competencies from the O*NET Content Model.
Includes the framework from the Content Model Reference file and data from the Knowledge file.
Basic Skills Competency Framework
This file contains the hierarchy of Basic Skills competencies from the O*NET Content Model.
Includes the framework from the Content Model Reference file and data from the Skills file.
Cross-Functional Skills Competency Framework
This file contains the hierarchy of Cross-Functional Skills competencies from the O*NET Content Model.
Includes the framework from the Content Model Reference file and data from the Skills file.
Abilities Competency Framework
This file contains the hierarchy of Abilities competencies from the O*NET Content Model.
Includes the framework from the Content Model Reference file and data from the Abilities file.
Technology Skills Competency Framework
This file contains Technology Skills associated with O*NET-SOC occupations, organized by the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).
Includes the framework from the UNSPSC Reference file and data from the Technology Skills file.
Work Activities Competency Framework
This file contains the hierarchy of Work Activities competencies, including generalized, intermediate, and detailed work activities. Linked occupation-specific tasks from across occupations are provided as illustrative or “task examples” related to the activities.
Includes the framework from the Content Model Reference, IWA Reference, and DWA Reference files and data from the Work Activities and Tasks to DWAs files.
O*NET Web Services provides real-time, up-to-date access to all of the information in the downloadable O*NET Database. With these services, programmers and researchers can:
- Programmatically discover every file in the database, and what data each file contains
- Retrieve all data from any part of the database
- Filter and sort results based on multiple criteria
The Database Services API always provides the latest version of the O*NET Database (currently 27.1), with no need to worry about downloading and integrating quarterly updates.
To learn more:
