Sites for in-depth information for Employment Outlooks and Trends

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) - BEA is an agency of the Department of Commerce. BEA produces economic accounts statistics that enable government and business decision-makers, researchers, and the American public to follow and understand the performance of the Nation's economy. Extensive information is presented on National, Regional, International and Industry information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) – The BLS is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. The BLS is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and labor. The BLS also serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor. The site provides extensive information and statistics covering: Employment & Unemployment, Inflation & Consumer Spending, Wages, Earnings & Benefits , Occupations, Demographics, plus links to their numerous publications  including the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Career Guide to Industries, The Occupational Outlook Quarterly, and more.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Regional Economic News Releases for:

1. New England (Boston, MA)
2. New York-New Jersey (New York, NY)
3. Mid-Atlantic (Philadelphia, PA)
4. Southeast (Atlanta, GA)
5. Midwest (Chicago, IL)
6. Southwest (Dallas, TX)
7. Mountain-Plains (Kansas City, MO)
8. Western (San Francisco, CA)

America's Career InfoNet - Provides national, state and local career information and labor market data using unique career tools, career reports, videos, a career resource library and other innovative web-based tools. Information is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.  This includes demographic information on the unemployment rate, labor force, medium household income, population, and per capita income. There is also an “occupations rankings” which refers to the fastest growing occupations for that area, occupations with the most openings, occupations with declining employment, and highest paying. Largest employers, state resources, license information is also provided.

Occupational Outlook Handbook - The Occupational Outlook Handbook is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This publication provides information on various occupations. Each occupational area will include information on the nature of work, working conditions, employment trends, training needed, other qualifications needed for advancement, job outlook information, expected earnings, related occupations, plus sources for additional information. This publication is available in most reference libraries.

The O*NET (The Occupational Information Network) - This is a comprehensive database of worker attributes and job characteristics. As the replacement for the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), O*NET will be the primary source of occupational information. O*NET is being developed as a timely, easy-to-use resource that supports public and private sector efforts to identify and develop the skills of the American workforce. It provides a common language for defining and describing occupations. Its flexible design also captures rapidly changing job requirements. See breakdown of occupations sorted by code and title, by title and code.

The database contains information about knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), interests, general work activities (GWAs), and work context. O*NET data and structure will also link related occupational, educational, and labor market information databases to the system.

The Workforce Information Center - This is an information system with information about the labor market and economic conditions for Illinois and local areas.  Information is customized for individuals, employers and labor market researchers. Available information includes wages by occupation and industry; jobs that are growing or declining; unemployment rates; employers by occupation and industry; and employment trends. 

At-a-glance statistics and information for Employment Outlook and Trends

Minimum Wage Rates by State
Unemployment Rates, Consumer Price Index, and more
U.S. Department of Labor – Latest Statistics and Information
U.S. Economy 
Economic Information on Industries
Regional Economic Information
U.S. Dept of Labor Women's Bureau – Statistics