The 2015 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data set has been published. The OES program produces employment and wage estimates for occupations in the Virgin Islands, and this employment data is used to develop information regarding current and projected employment needs and job opportunities.
This information is used in the production of state education and workforce development plans. This data enables the analysis of the occupational composition of different industries as well as the comparison of occupational composition across states and local areas, including analysis for economic development purposes, according to a press release issued on Monday by the V.I. Department of Labor (VIDOL).
OES employment estimates also are used as job placement aids by helping to identify industries that employ the skills gained by enrollees in career-technical training programs. In addition, OES survey data serves as primary inputs into occupational information systems designed for those who are exploring career opportunities or assisting others in career decision making.
In 2015, the average hourly wage was $16.85 and the annual mean salary was $35,050. At the percentile wage estimates (the value or boundary of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall), the annual average wage (50 percentile) was $27,750 and the average hourly wage $13.34.
Occupations that marked the highest employment count in the survey were office and administrative with an annual average salary of $27,050, sales-related occupations at $20,740, and food preparation at $19,960.
At the detailed level, the occupations reflecting the highest concentration or count were:
Occupation/Employment Estimate/Annual Mean
Retail Salesperson/1,990 people/$21, 570
General Operations Manager/1790 people/$58,180
Security Guard/1,210 people/$23,000
Waiters or Waitress/1,010 people/$27,030
Cashier/1,000 people/$18,910
The survey also covered over 155 other occupations in detail covering the hourly and annual average and percentile, ranging from starting salary 10 percentile, to senior or experienced at the 90 percentile range. The details can be viewed on DOL’s market portal at:
https://www.vidolviews.org/vosnet/analyzer/results.aspx?session=oeswage
