Why Occupational Data Matters

Washington state now has a more precise way to understand what people do for work—and where they go after completing education and training programs.

A more detailed picture of careers

Traditionally, workforce data has been organized by industry—for example, retail, healthcare, or manufacturing. More detailed information about occupations—what people actually do within those broader industries—was collected through periodic surveys.

Now, through enhancements to Unemployment Insurance (UI) wage records, employers report job titles or Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes for each employee. This allows us to see employment outcomes by occupation, not just industry. It also enables us to see what workers are actually doing, and how many of them are doing a particular kind of work, within different regions of the state.

From survey to census data

In the past, states often relied on employer surveys to estimate occupational employment. These surveys:

• Covered only a sample of employers
• Were conducted periodically
• Provided less detailed and less timely information

Today, occupational data comes directly from required quarterly employer reports submitted to the Employment Security Department. This means:

• Broader coverage across employers
• More frequent updates
• Greater accuracy and consistency

What this means for students and job seekers

With occupational data, Career Bridge can now show:

• The most common jobs graduates enter after completing a program
• Real employment outcomes, based on actual wage records
• More relevant insights to help users choose training aligned with their career goals

Why occupation matters more than industry

A single employer can include many different occupations.

For example, a company like Amazon may be classified in the retail industry, but its workforce includes:

• Warehouse workers
• Software developers
• Human resources professionals
• Logistics analysts

Industry data alone would group all of these workers together. Occupational data reveals what people are actually doing on the job.

How we use this data

The Workforce Board uses occupational data as part of program performance reporting, including:

• Identifying the top occupations graduates enter
• Improving transparency for the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
• Helping align training programs with real workforce demand

How this data helps Washington plan for the future

Occupational data doesn’t just show where people go—it helps the state make smarter decisions about education and workforce investments.

By understanding what jobs people are actually doing—and where those jobs are located—state agencies, colleges, and workforce partners can:

• Identify skill gaps and shortages
  See where employers are hiring but struggling to find qualified workers, and where training capacity may need to expand
• Align education and training with real demand
  Ensure programs are preparing students for the specific occupations employers need—not just broad industries
• Target investments more effectively
  Direct funding and resources toward high-demand occupations and regions with the greatest workforce needs
• Measure real outcomes from education programs
  Go beyond completion rates to understand whether students are entering careers related to their field of study—and at what scale
• Support regional workforce strategies
  Understand how occupational demand varies across the state, helping local leaders tailor solutions to their economies

Together, this creates a stronger feedback loop between education and employment—helping Washington build a workforce system that is more responsive, more targeted, and better aligned with the jobs of today and tomorrow.