Regional labor market information and analysis

These reports summarize program completion and employment data to analyze the regional labor market for a given TOP code.

Data is drawn from numerous sources, such as the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) Curriculum Inventory, Datamart, and Perkins Core Indicator Reports; the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; the Centers for Excellence for Labor Market Research (COE); the CA Employment Development Department; and O*NET OnLine.

Definitions

Learn about common terms used in these reports.

The California Community Colleges Taxonomy of Programs (TOP) Code is a numeric system used by the state to collect and report information on programs and courses with similar outcomes across colleges. This report refers to TOP Code Manual 6th Edition (2013).

Source: CCCCO Curriculum and Instruction Unit 

The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by federal agencies to classify workers into occupational categories to collect, calculate, or disseminate data. All workers are classified into one of 867 detailed occupations according to their occupational definition. Detailed occupations with similar job duties, and in certain instances skills, education, and/or training, are grouped together. The SOC Code system provides a uniform framework to classify positions based on the work performed regardless of the employer or industry.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CA Employment Development Department 

Occupational employment projections estimate changes in occupational employment over time as a result of industry growth, technological changes, and other factors. Projection data are estimates and assume the continuation of historical trends, while acknowledging that a variety of events can occur during the projection period that can impact employment levels.

Source: CA Employment Development Department 

Short-term (2-year) projections are based on quarterly average employment levels by industry for base and target quarters. Averages may reflect seasonality in some occupations.

Long-term (10-year) projections are based on annual average employment levels by industry for base and target years.  When using long-term projections data, it is important to note the annual average employment levels for seasonal occupations in agriculture, construction, retail sales, or recreation may vary significantly from seasonal peak periods.

Source: CA Employment Development Department

Total job openings represents the sum of growth (new jobs) and replacement needs. It is the sum of exits (projected number of workers leaving an occupation and exiting the labor force entirely), transfers (projected number of workers permanently leaving an occupation and transferring to a different occupation), and numeric change (projected number of job gains or losses in an occupation for the projection period).  

Source: CA Employment Development Department 

Median wage estimates are the mid-point of the wage distribution. 50% of workers in an occupation earn wages below and 50% earn wages above the median wage.  

Source: CA Employment Development Department