Labor Market Information
Career choices should consider talents and passions; however the economy determines income and job openings. It is a high-risk decision to select and prepare for occupations with very limited career opportunities. Be mindful of labor market information.
What do you need to know?
Labor Market information provides:
- Education and training requirements
- Projected job opportunities
- Wage information
Up-to-date labor market information about occupations, training requirements and wages is crucial in order to make important life decisions about career goals. Labor market information is based on data gathered directly from employers, business and industry. The cost of time and education compared to the amount of entry wages is a big consideration before making decisions. Labor market information can help provide reasonable expectations of job openings and wages when entering work.
Career goals fall short if there are no job opportunities. During the career development process, individuals need to consider the labor market. The reality is, sometimes career dreams and goals may need to be modified to fit the economy and labor market demand.
What is Labor Market Information (LMI)?
The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) collects and disseminates information about employment levels and trends, wages and earning, estimates of labor availability, industrial and occupational projections, business staffing patterns, career planning information and labor force demographics. This data is used to describe a local area’s economic picture which impacts social, fiscal, technological and economic policies, employer hiring and other business decisions, allocation of funds by policy makers, individual career choices and educational programs.
Resources of Nebraska Labor Market Information
To provide our state with current, valid and reliable labor market and career information these resources are available across Nebraska at no charge to the school, agency or individual user:
The H3 website offers quick access to Nebraska’s “hot jobs”. This easy to understand labor market information is updated weekly.
Nebraska Department of Labor website or app provides current job openings and labor market analysis facts, employment, wages and projections. For more information, visit: NE Works
How much income do students need from a career? To help students determine income compared to desired standards of living; try Nebraska Reality Check, sponsored by EducationQuest Foundation. Nebraska Reality check utilizes Nebraska Labor Market Information.
Labor market information for Nebraska and nationwide is within this online comprehensive career information system. Additionally, it includes valuable tools for all phases of career awareness, exploration, planning and management including PLP and portfolio development for student and adult use. For more information, visit: Nebraska Career Connections
Career ladder posters demonstrate a career path that could be pursued to acquire a high-skill, high-paying occupation with growth potential in Nebraska. Each poster focuses on twelve in- demand occupations within a specific career cluster.
For NE LMI posters and publications, visit: