Featured Stories
Fed: Capturing Heterogeneity: Machine Learning Approaches to Implied Volatility Forecasting
WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Federal Reserve issued the following white paper abstract (No. 2026-049) in July 2026 by Hyung Joo Kim and Dong Hwan Oh, entitled "Capturing Heterogeneity: Machine Learning Approaches to Implied Volatility Forecasting".
Here are excerpts:
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Despite documented heterogeneity in volatility dynamics across the option surface, standard implied volatility forecasting models apply homogeneous parameters throughout. We introduce a machine-learning framework that uses regression trees to partition the surface along both moneyness and maturity dimensions, identifying
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WASHINGTON, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- The Federal Reserve issued the following white paper abstract (No. 2026-049) in July 2026 by Hyung Joo Kim and Dong Hwan Oh, entitled "Capturing Heterogeneity: Machine Learning Approaches to Implied Volatility Forecasting".
Here are excerpts:
* * *
Despite documented heterogeneity in volatility dynamics across the option surface, standard implied volatility forecasting models apply homogeneous parameters throughout. We introduce a machine-learning framework that uses regression trees to partition the surface along both moneyness and maturity dimensions, identifyingdata-driven regions where distinct forecasting models perform best.
Extending the Surface Heterogeneous Autoregressive (SHAR) framework of Dufays, Jacobs, and Rombouts (2025), we develop tree-based SHAR specifications that preserve interpretable structure while allowing model parameters to vary across the surface. Empirical analysis using S&P 500 options demonstrates that the boosted tree-based specification achieves the lowest out-of-sample forecast errors across all horizons, reducing one-month-ahead RMSE by 13 percent versus the benchmark SHAR model.
The improvements are statistically significant and particularly pronounced during stress periods. The estimated tree presents economically interpretable segmentation: short-dated options exhibit higher daily persistence but lower monthly persistence than long-dated options, while deep out-of-the-money calls or puts display distinct dynamics from near-the-money contracts.
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View full text here: https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/feds/capturing-heterogeneity-machine-learning-approaches-to-implied-volatility-forecasting.htm
[Category: Fed]
Bureau of Reclamation Announces Public Teleconference Negotiation for Operation, Maintenance and Replacement Contract With the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board
WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release on July 7, 2026:
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Reclamation announces public teleconference negotiation for operation, maintenance and replacement contract with the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a teleconference negotiation session with the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board and Cachuma Member Units on a third amendment to the current Operation and Maintenance of the Transferred Project Works contract (Contract No. 14-06-200-5222RB),
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WASHINGTON, July 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release on July 7, 2026:
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Reclamation announces public teleconference negotiation for operation, maintenance and replacement contract with the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board
FRESNO, Calif. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a teleconference negotiation session with the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board and Cachuma Member Units on a third amendment to the current Operation and Maintenance of the Transferred Project Works contract (Contract No. 14-06-200-5222RB),dated Sept. 29, 2023.
The proposed amendment would extend the contract term up to two years and allow the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board to continue operating and maintaining Cachuma Project transferred facilities.
The date and time of the teleconference negotiation is scheduled for:
Tuesday, July 21 at 10 a.m. Pacific daylight time.
For assistance with attending the teleconference negotiation session, contact David E. Hyatt at dhyatt@usbr.gov or 559-262-0334.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits.
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Original text here: https://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/news-release/5366
BLS Southeast Region Issues Report on Occupational Employment and Wages in Valdosta, Ga. May 2025
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Valdosta, Ga. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $23.97 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($49.95), legal ($44.78), computer and mathematical ($39.51), and healthcare
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ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Valdosta, Ga. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $23.97 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($49.95), legal ($44.78), computer and mathematical ($39.51), and healthcarepractitioners and technical ($39.45). Lower paying occupational groups included food preparation and serving related ($13.27), personal care and service ($13.98), building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($15.46), and healthcare support ($16.33). (See table A.)
Food preparation and serving related occupations accounted for 12.2 percent of Valdosta area employment, followed by office and administrative support occupations (11.2 percent). Major occupational groups on the lower end of local employment included life, physical, and social science (0.4 percent); art, design, entertainment, sports, and media (0.6 percent); legal (0.6 percent); and architecture and engineering (0.7 percent).
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Table A. Occupational employment and wages by major occupational group, United States and the Valdosta metropolitan area, May 2025
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One occupational group--food preparation and serving related--was chosen to illustrate the diversity of data available for any of the 22 major occupational categories. Valdosta had 6,560 jobs in food preparation and serving related, accounting for 12.2 percent of local area employment, compared to the 8.8-percent share nationally. The average hourly wage for this occupational group locally was $13.27, compared to the national wage of $17.86.
Some of the larger detailed occupations within the food preparation and serving related group included fast food and counter workers (2,380) and waiters and waitresses (1,150). Among the higher paying jobs in this group were first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers ($18.79) and bartenders ($15.12). At the lower end of the wage scale were waiters and waitresses ($11.41) and restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop hosts and hostesses ($11.63). (Detailed data for the food preparation and serving related occupations are presented in table 1; for a complete listing of detailed occupations available go to data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0046660/2025.)
Location quotients allow us to explore the occupational make-up of a metropolitan area by comparing the composition of jobs in an area relative to the national average. (See table 1.) For example, a location quotient of 2.00 indicates that an occupation accounts for twice the share of employment in the area than it does nationally. In the Valdosta area, above-average concentrations of employment were found in many of the occupations within the food preparation and serving related group. For instance, fast food and counter workers were employed at 1.78 times the national rate in Valdosta, and first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers, at 1.64 times the U.S. average. Dishwashers had a location quotient of 0.96 in Valdosta, indicating that this particular occupation's local and national employment shares were similar.
The statistics in this release are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, a cooperative effort between BLS and the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and technical support. State Workforce Agencies collect most of the data: in this case, the Georgia Department of Labor.
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Federal Government Shutdown
Because of the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, additional collection and processing time were required for the May 2025 OEWS survey panel once appropriations resumed. The response rate for the May 2025 survey panel was within the normal range and no additional modifications to the OEWS methodology and procedures were necessary as a result of the shutdown.
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Technical Note
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey is a semiannual survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. The OEWS data available from BLS include cross-industry occupational employment and wage estimates for the nation; over 530 areas, including states and the District of Columbia, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), nonmetropolitan areas, and territories; national industry-specific estimates at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, most 4-digit, and selected 5- and 6-digit industry levels; and national estimates by ownership across all industries and for schools and hospitals. Full OEWS data tables (https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) are available online.
Additional information about the OEWS estimates and methodology is available in the national Technical Notes (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_tec.htm). The overall national response rate for the six panels, based on the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is 66.2 percent based on establishments and 67.2 percent based on weighted sampled employment. Sample sizes and response rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area are available on the Additional OEWS data sets (https://www.bls.gov/oes/additional.htm) page.
Metropolitan area definitions
The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The Valdosta, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Brooks County, Echols County, Lanier County, and Lowndes County.
For more information
Answers to frequently asked questions (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm) about the OEWS data, as well as general program documentation (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_doc.htm), are available on the OEWS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/).
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Employment and wage data for food preparation and serving related occupations, Valdosta metropolitan area, May 2025
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2026/occupationalemploymentandwages_valdosta_20260707.htm
BLS Southeast Region Issues Report on Occupational Employment and Wages in Savannah, Ga. May 2025
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Savannah, Ga. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $28.24 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($58.72) and architecture and engineering ($53.65). Lower paying occupational
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Savannah, Ga. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $28.24 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($58.72) and architecture and engineering ($53.65). Lower paying occupationalgroups included food preparation and serving related ($15.41), personal care and service ($16.95), building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($17.23), and healthcare support ($18.20). (See table A.)
Transportation and material moving occupations accounted for 13.1 percent of Savannah area employment, followed by food preparation and serving related occupations (11.0 percent) and office and administrative support occupations (10.7 percent). Major occupational groups on the lower end of local employment included life, physical, and social science (0.5 percent); legal (0.7 percent); and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (1.0 percent).
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Table A. Occupational employment and wages by major occupational group, United States and the Savannah metropolitan area, May 2025
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One occupational group--transportation and material moving--was chosen to illustrate the diversity of data available for any of the 22 major occupational categories. Savannah had 25,900 jobs in transportation and material moving, accounting for 13.1 percent of local area employment, compared to the 8.8-percent share nationally. The average hourly wage for this occupational group locally was $22.66, compared to the national wage of $23.96.
Some of the larger detailed occupations within the transportation and material moving group included laborers and hand freight, stock, and material movers (7,810); heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (4,410); and stockers and order fillers (3,080). Among the higher paying jobs in this group were captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels ($45.06); crane and tower operators ($32.87); and first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors ($32.47). At the lower end of the wage scale were cleaners of vehicles and equipment ($15.30) and school bus drivers ($15.51). (Detailed data for the transportation and material moving occupations are presented in table 1; for a complete listing of detailed occupations available go to data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0042340/2025.)
Location quotients allow us to explore the occupational make-up of a metropolitan area by comparing the composition of jobs in an area relative to the national average. (See table 1.) For example, a location quotient of 2.00 indicates that an occupation accounts for twice the share of employment in the area than it does nationally. In the Savannah area, above-average concentrations of employment were found in many of the occupations within the transportation and material moving group. For instance, industrial truck and tractor operators were employed at 2.34 times the national rate in Savannah, and laborers and hand freight, stock, and material movers, at 2.07 times the U.S. average. Stockers and order fillers had a location quotient of 0.85 in Savannah, indicating that this particular occupation's local and national employment shares were similar.
The statistics in this release are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, a cooperative effort between BLS and the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and technical support. State Workforce Agencies collect most of the data: in this case, the Georgia Department of Labor.
* * *
Federal Government Shutdown
Because of the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, additional collection and processing time were required for the May 2025 OEWS survey panel once appropriations resumed. The response rate for the May 2025 survey panel was within the normal range and no additional modifications to the OEWS methodology and procedures were necessary as a result of the shutdown.
* * *
Technical Note
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey is a semiannual survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. The OEWS data available from BLS include cross-industry occupational employment and wage estimates for the nation; over 530 areas, including states and the District of Columbia, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), nonmetropolitan areas, and territories; national industry-specific estimates at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, most 4-digit, and selected 5- and 6-digit industry levels; and national estimates by ownership across all industries and for schools and hospitals. Full OEWS data tables (https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) are available online.
Additional information about the OEWS estimates and methodology is available in the national Technical Notes (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_tec.htm). The overall national response rate for the six panels, based on the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is 66.2 percent based on establishments and 67.2 percent based on weighted sampled employment. Sample sizes and response rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area are available on the Additional OEWS data sets (https://www.bls.gov/oes/additional.htm) page.
Metropolitan area definitions
The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The Savannah, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Bryan County, Chatham County, and Effingham County.
For more information
Answers to frequently asked questions (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm) about the OEWS data, as well as general program documentation (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_doc.htm), are available on the OEWS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/).
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Employment and wage data for transportation and material moving occupations, Savannah metropolitan area, May 2025
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2026/occupationalemploymentandwages_savannah_20260707.htm
BLS Southeast Region Issues Report on Occupational Employment and Wages in Panama City-Panama City Beach, Fla. May 2025
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Panama City-Panama City Beach, Fla. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $27.70 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($53.00), legal ($52.19), computer
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Panama City-Panama City Beach, Fla. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $27.70 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($53.00), legal ($52.19), computerand mathematical ($48.55), and architecture and engineering ($48.25). Lower paying occupational groups included personal care and service ($17.13), building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($17.19), and food preparation serving related ($17.23). (See table A.)
Food preparation and serving related occupations accounted for 12.7 percent of Panama City area employment, followed by sales and related occupations as well as office and administrative support occupations (11.0 percent each). Major occupational groups on the lower end of local employment included legal (0.6 percent) and life, physical, and social science (0.7 percent).
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Table A. Occupational employment and wages by major occupational group, United States and the Panama City metropolitan area, May 2025
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One occupational group--food preparation and serving related--was chosen to illustrate the diversity of data available for any of the 22 major occupational categories. Panama City had 11,520 jobs in food preparation and serving related, accounting for 12.7 percent of local area employment, compared to the 8.8-percent share nationally. The average hourly wage for this occupational group locally was $17.23, compared to the national wage of $17.86.
Some of the larger detailed occupations within the food preparation and serving related group included fast food and counter workers (3,030) and waiters and waitresses (2,520). Among the higher paying jobs in this group were chefs and head cooks ($25.85) and first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers ($21.22). At the lower end of the wage scale were fast food and counter workers ($14.17) and dishwashers ($14.94). (Detailed data for the food preparation and serving related occupations are presented in table 1; for a complete listing of detailed occupations available go to data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0037460/2025.)
Location quotients allow us to explore the occupational make-up of a metropolitan area by comparing the composition of jobs in an area relative to the national average. (See table 1.) For example, a location quotient of 2.00 indicates that an occupation accounts for twice the share of employment in the area than it does nationally. In the Panama City area, above-average concentrations of employment were found in many of the occupations within the food preparation and serving related group. For instance, waiters and waitresses were employed at 1.90 times the national rate in Panama City, and restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop hosts and hostesses, at 1.70 times the U.S. average.
The statistics in this release are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, a cooperative effort between BLS and the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and technical support. State Workforce Agencies collect most of the data: in this case, the Florida Department of Commerce.
* * *
Federal Government Shutdown
Because of the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, additional collection and processing time were required for the May 2025 OEWS survey panel once appropriations resumed. The response rate for the May 2025 survey panel was within the normal range and no additional modifications to the OEWS methodology and procedures were necessary as a result of the shutdown.
* * *
Technical Note
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey is a semiannual survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. The OEWS data available from BLS include cross-industry occupational employment and wage estimates for the nation; over 530 areas, including states and the District of Columbia, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), nonmetropolitan areas, and territories; national industry-specific estimates at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, most 4-digit, and selected 5- and 6-digit industry levels; and national estimates by ownership across all industries and for schools and hospitals. Full OEWS data tables (https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) are available online.
Additional information about the OEWS estimates and methodology is available in the national Technical Notes (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_tec.htm). The overall national response rate for the six panels, based on the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is 66.2 percent based on establishments and 67.2 percent based on weighted sampled employment. Sample sizes and response rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area are available on the Additional OEWS data sets (https://www.bls.gov/oes/additional.htm) page.
Metropolitan area definitions
The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Bay County and Washington County.
For more information
Answers to frequently asked questions (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm) about the OEWS data, as well as general program documentation (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_doc.htm), are available on the OEWS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/).
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Employment and wage data for food preparation and serving related occupations, Panama City metropolitan area, May 2025
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2026/occupationalemploymentandwages_panamacity_20260707.htm
BLS Southeast Region Issues Report on Occupational Employment and Wages in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Fla. May 2025
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Fla. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $32.31 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($66.93), computer and mathematical
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Fla. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $32.31 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($66.93), computer and mathematical($54.23), architecture and engineering ($52.36), and legal ($51.55). Lower paying occupational groups included food preparation and serving related ($17.55), personal care and service ($17.96), and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($18.23). (See table A.)
Occupational groups with the highest employment shares in the Palm Bay area included office and administrative support (11.0 percent), food preparation and serving related (10.6 percent), and sales and related (9.2 percent). Major occupational groups on the lower end of local employment included legal (0.6 percent); life, physical, and social science (0.7 percent); and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (0.9 percent).
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Table A. Occupational employment and wages by major occupational group, United States and the Palm Bay metropolitan area, May 2025
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One occupational group--food preparation and serving related--was chosen to illustrate the diversity of data available for any of the 22 major occupational categories. Palm Bay had 26,090 jobs in food preparation and serving related, accounting for 10.6 percent of local area employment, compared to the 8.8-percent share nationally. The average hourly wage for this occupational group locally was $17.55, compared to the national wage of $17.86.
Some of the larger detailed occupations within the food preparation and serving related group included fast food and counter workers (7,630) as well as waiters and waitresses (5,080). Among the higher paying jobs in this group were chefs and head cooks ($26.90) and first-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers ($22.36). At the lower end of the wage scale were fast food and counter workers ($14.65), dishwashers ($15.53), and restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop hosts and hostesses ($15.62). (Detailed data for the food preparation and serving related occupations are presented in table 1; for a complete listing of detailed occupations available go to data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0037340/2025.)
Location quotients allow us to explore the occupational make-up of a metropolitan area by comparing the composition of jobs in an area relative to the national average. (See table 1.) For example, a location quotient of 2.00 indicates that an occupation accounts for twice the share of employment in the area than it does nationally. In the Palm Bay area, above-average concentrations of employment were found in some of the occupations within the food preparation and serving related group. For instance, food preparation workers were employed at 1.46 times the national rate in Palm Bay, and waiters and waitresses, at 1.42 times the U.S. average.
The statistics in this release are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, a cooperative effort between BLS and the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and technical support. State Workforce Agencies collect most of the data: in this case, the Florida Department of Commerce.
* * *
Federal Government Shutdown
Because of the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, additional collection and processing time were required for the May 2025 OEWS survey panel once appropriations resumed. The response rate for the May 2025 survey panel was within the normal range and no additional modifications to the OEWS methodology and procedures were necessary as a result of the shutdown.
* * *
Technical Note
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey is a semiannual survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. The OEWS data available from BLS include cross-industry occupational employment and wage estimates for the nation; over 530 areas, including states and the District of Columbia, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), nonmetropolitan areas, and territories; national industry-specific estimates at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, most 4-digit, and selected 5- and 6-digit industry levels; and national estimates by ownership across all industries and for schools and hospitals. Full OEWS data tables (https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) are available online.
Additional information about the OEWS estimates and methodology is available in the national Technical Notes (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_tec.htm). The overall national response rate for the six panels, based on the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is 66.2 percent based on establishments and 67.2 percent based on weighted sampled employment. Sample sizes and response rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area are available on the Additional OEWS data sets (https://www.bls.gov/oes/additional.htm) page.
Metropolitan area definitions
The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Brevard County.
For more information
Answers to frequently asked questions (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm) about the OEWS data, as well as general program documentation (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_doc.htm), are available on the OEWS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/).
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Employment and wage data for food preparation and serving related occupations, Palm Bay metropolitan area, May 2025
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2026/occupationalemploymentandwages_palmbay_20260707.htm
BLS Southeast Region Issues Report on Occupational Employment and Wages in Athens-Clarke County, Ga. May 2025
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Athens-Clarke County, Ga. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $25.80 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($54.57), healthcare practitioners and technical
... Show Full Article
ATLANTA, Georgia, July 8 (TNSLrpt) -- Occupational Employment and Wages in Athens-Clarke County, Ga. May 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Southeast Region - July 7, 2026
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Workers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area had an average (mean) hourly wage of $25.80 in May 2025, compared to the nationwide average of $33.54, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that higher paying major occupational groups included management ($54.57), healthcare practitioners and technical($47.26), and legal ($42.84). Lower paying occupational groups included food preparation and serving related ($13.98), building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($17.37), healthcare support ($17.56), and personal care and service ($18.13). (See table A.)
Educational instruction and library occupations accounted for 13.4 percent of Athens area employment, followed by food preparation and serving related occupations (10.9 percent) and office and administrative support occupations (10.6 percent). Major occupational groups on the lower end of local employment included legal (0.5 percent); architecture and engineering (0.9 percent); and arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media (0.9 percent).
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Table A. Occupational employment and wages by major occupational group, United States and the Athens metropolitan area, May 2025
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One occupational group--educational instruction and library--was chosen to illustrate the diversity of data available for any of the 22 major occupational categories. Athens had 12,800 jobs in educational instruction and library, accounting for 13.4 percent of local area employment, compared to the 5.9-percent share nationally. The average annual wage for this occupational group locally was $46,880, compared to the national wage of $67,540.
Some of the larger detailed occupations within the educational instruction and library group included elementary school teachers, except special education (1,360) and teaching assistants, except postsecondary (940). Among the higher paying jobs in this group were postsecondary engineering teachers ($132,730) and postsecondary health specialties teachers ($119,970). At the lower end of the wage scale were teaching assistants, except postsecondary ($27,890) and short-term substitute teachers ($33,480). (Detailed data for the educational instruction and library occupations are presented in table 1; for a complete listing of detailed occupations available, go to data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0012020/2025.)
Location quotients allow us to explore the occupational make-up of a metropolitan area by comparing the composition of jobs in an area relative to the national average. (See table 1.) For example, a location quotient of 2.00 indicates that an occupation accounts for twice the share of employment in the area than it does nationally. In the Athens area, above-average concentrations of employment were found in many of the occupations within the educational instruction and library group. For instance, postsecondary economics teachers were employed at 5.77 times the national rate in Athens, and postsecondary mathematical science teachers, at 3.37 times the U.S. average. Self-enrichment teachers had a location quotient of 1.05 in Athens, indicating that this particular occupation's local and national employment shares were similar.
The statistics in this release are from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, a cooperative effort between BLS and the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and technical support. State Workforce Agencies collect most of the data: in this case, the Georgia Department of Labor.
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Federal Government Shutdown
Because of the lapse in federal appropriations from October 1 through November 12, 2025, additional collection and processing time were required for the May 2025 OEWS survey panel once appropriations resumed. The response rate for the May 2025 survey panel was within the normal range and no additional modifications to the OEWS methodology and procedures were necessary as a result of the shutdown.
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Technical Note
The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey is a semiannual survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. The OEWS data available from BLS include cross-industry occupational employment and wage estimates for the nation; over 530 areas, including states and the District of Columbia, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), nonmetropolitan areas, and territories; national industry-specific estimates at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, most 4-digit, and selected 5- and 6-digit industry levels; and national estimates by ownership across all industries and for schools and hospitals. Full OEWS data tables (https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm) are available online.
Additional information about the OEWS estimates and methodology is available in the national Technical Notes (https://www.bls.gov/oes/2025/may/oes_tec.htm). The overall national response rate for the six panels, based on the 50 states and the District of Columbia, is 66.2 percent based on establishments and 67.2 percent based on weighted sampled employment. Sample sizes and response rates by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area are available on the Additional OEWS data sets (https://www.bls.gov/oes/additional.htm) page.
Metropolitan area definitions
The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The Athens-Clarke County, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Clarke County, Madison County, Oconee County, and Oglethorpe County.
For more information
Answers to frequently asked questions (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_ques.htm) about the OEWS data, as well as general program documentation (https://www.bls.gov/oes/oes_doc.htm), are available on the OEWS website (https://www.bls.gov/oes/).
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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Table 1. Employment and wage data for educational instruction and library occupations, Athens metropolitan area, May 2025
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2026/occupationalemploymentandwages_athens_20260707.htm
