The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) recently published technical notes for the Occupational Employment Wage and Statistics (OEWS) update on prevailing wage data for the wage year from July 2025 to June 2026, and will apply the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes effective July 1, 2025.

The technical release notes explain how OFLC will apply the 2018 SOC structure to OEWS wages for the July 2025 to June 2026 wage year.

Updated MSA delineations based on 2020 Census

These updates reflect new Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) delineations based on the 2020 Census and continue to use 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes for wage determinations.

The May 2024 OEWS wage estimates now reflect updated metropolitan statistical area delineations informed by the 2020 Census. These changes include the creation of new MSAs, renaming or restructuring of existing ones and the removal of others from publication. Additionally, some non-MSA areas were added, dropped or modified to align with the new delineations.

Discontinuation of NECTAs in New England

For the New England states, the previously used New England City and Town Areas (NECTAs) have been discontinued. Instead, OEWS now publishes wage data using MSAs and non-MSA areas for these states. This shift aligns New England with the broader national approach to area delineation.

Additional Information: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) generates the OEWS prevailing wage data. The OFLC’s adoption of updated area delineations marks a significant shift in how wage data is geographically categorized, potentially impacting employers and legal professionals involved in labor certification processes. The BLS has made available a comprehensive spreadsheet detailing the area names and definitions used in the May 2024 OEWS estimates, which will serve as the basis for prevailing wage determinations throughout the new wage year. These changes are particularly relevant for stakeholders navigating the PERM process, as geographic wage data plays a critical role in determining appropriate compensation levels for foreign labor. The release also includes updated job zone and education data, offering further granularity for wage assessments and compliance planning.

The detailed release notes can be read here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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