nonmetropolitan area · 2600004

Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area

Figures describe the Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area, a BLS-defined region outside metropolitan areas — not a single city or town.

Median annual wage, all occupations$47,160
Total employment134,800

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area was $47,160 per year ($22.67 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 134,800 jobs. 362 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 362 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area
Occupation
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$42,890$20.623,6603.00
Cashiers$28,700$13.803,4901.30
Fast Food and Counter Workers$28,120$13.523,2200.96
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$33,720$16.213,1100.83
Stockers and Order Fillers$34,880$16.773,0801.25
Retail Salespersons$34,230$16.463,0700.91
General and Operations Managers$92,990$44.712,5400.84
Office Clerks, General$44,340$21.322,5201.18
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$56,050$26.952,2701.27
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$61,300Not published1,9801.64
Waiters and Waitresses$37,050$17.811,9600.99
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$34,160Not published1,9301.57
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,900$17.261,7300.90
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$39,520$19.001,7100.67
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$73,270$35.231,5002.57
Cooks, Restaurant$35,720$17.171,4901.22
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$48,330$23.231,4602.17
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$46,200$22.211,3801.04
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,710Not published1,3101.41
Registered Nurses$85,340$41.031,3100.45
Industrial Engineers$96,840$46.561,3004.09
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$46,500$22.351,2902.50
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$43,130$20.741,2600.85
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$63,360$30.461,2401.15
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$47,020$22.601,2001.01
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$36,800$17.691,1901.44
Customer Service Representatives$43,920$21.121,1900.53
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41,700$20.051,1608.91
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,880$23.501,1507.77
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$36,690$17.641,1001.04
Mechanical Engineers$121,220$58.281,0604.12
Nursing Assistants$38,630$18.571,0600.85
Machinists$52,870$25.421,0304.13
Construction Laborers$47,480$22.831,0201.08
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44,090$21.201,0101.03
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$45,880$22.061,0101.43
Accountants and Auditors$74,430$35.781,0000.79
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$62,270$29.949702.56
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,590$23.368902.46
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$47,350$22.7787016.42
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$48,760$23.448601.40
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44,400$21.348302.54
Bartenders$36,570$17.588201.25
Industrial Production Managers$113,930$54.778003.74
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,680Not published7601.41
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,370$29.517600.61
Packers and Packagers, Hand$32,920$15.837001.44
Electricians$63,260$30.416601.01
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$62,200$29.906401.09
Receptionists and Information Clerks$36,130$17.376400.81
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$50,580$24.326405.25
Driver/Sales Workers$37,510$18.036101.71
Carpenters$51,310$24.676001.03
Human Resources Specialists$66,420$31.935900.75
Medical Assistants$38,190$18.365900.83
Security Guards$36,510$17.565900.53
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$63,340$30.455601.64
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$76,490$36.775601.05
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$36,360$17.485201.35
Software Developers$124,560$59.895100.35
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$101,990Not published5001.74
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$73,630$35.405001.17
Postal Service Mail Carriers$55,540$26.705001.74
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$74,240$35.695000.70
Light Truck Drivers$39,710$19.095000.59
Food Preparation Workers$27,700$13.324900.63
Financial Managers$129,380$62.204800.66
Correctional Officers and Jailers$61,700$29.674801.44
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$39,170$18.834800.57
Butchers and Meat Cutters$48,680$23.404603.88
Tool and Die Makers$63,910$30.734609.29
Sales Managers$126,300$60.724500.82
Pharmacy Technicians$38,460$18.494501.11
Cooks, Fast Food$27,130$13.044500.81
Childcare Workers$29,810$14.334501.00
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$36,400$17.504401.07
Tellers$37,840$18.194401.54
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32,240$15.504300.57
Bus Drivers, School$44,920$21.594301.23
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$60,970$29.314200.54
Counter and Rental Clerks$35,870$17.244201.21
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$71,580$34.414200.38
Project Management Specialists$96,590$46.444100.45
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$57,540$27.664102.30
Insurance Sales Agents$74,500$35.824000.96
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$59,040$28.394000.97
Highway Maintenance Workers$54,840$26.374002.99
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,430$18.484004.80
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,090$28.894000.73
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$62,070$29.843901.14
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$58,390$28.073901.09
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,340$23.243802.79
Architectural and Engineering Managers$159,960$76.903601.87
Computer User Support Specialists$57,320$27.563600.57
Coaches and Scouts$37,840Not published3601.65
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,140$20.743603.37
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42,530$20.4536013.01
Medical and Health Services Managers$101,090$48.603500.69
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$26,690$12.833500.93
Dishwashers$28,030$13.473400.82
Food Batchmakers$47,670$22.923402.26
Food Service Managers$56,190$27.013301.61
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$75,680$36.393300.35
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29,240$14.063200.69
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$46,510$22.363201.51
Construction Managers$74,570$35.853100.95
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27,490$13.213100.90
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$61,100$29.383100.77
Chemists$98,660$47.433004.21
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$59,740$28.723000.99
Social and Human Service Assistants$38,380$18.453000.80
Special Education Teachers, All Other$78,300Not published2909.84
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$34,760$16.712901.25
Production Workers, All Other$43,340$20.842901.35
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$30,090$14.472800.85
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$95,490$45.912701.40
Logisticians$84,500$40.632701.22
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$59,480$28.602701.07
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,520$23.332703.25
Computer and Information Systems Managers$151,510$72.842600.46
Training and Development Specialists$61,460$29.552600.67
Electrical Engineers$115,660$55.612601.53
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$63,210$30.392603.98
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$48,190$23.172601.65
Parts Salespersons$42,810$20.582501.08
Firefighters$47,840$23.002400.81
Animal Caretakers$28,700$13.802401.03
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$63,290$30.432300.41
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$131,390$63.172300.94
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$59,520$28.622300.57
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,510$23.802304.34
Compliance Officers$68,540$32.952200.62
Pharmacists$129,060$62.052200.80
Physical Therapists$98,710$47.462200.96
Dental Assistants$46,520$22.372200.67
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,370$22.292203.72
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$45,070$21.672201.52
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$64,610$31.062100.48
Lawyers$102,240$49.162100.32
Bakers$30,830$14.822101.02
Foundry Mold and Coremakers$43,810$21.0621018.52
Billing and Posting Clerks$46,570$22.392000.57
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$65,660$31.571901.68
Dental Hygienists$87,550$42.091901.01
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$36,500$17.551901.78
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$29,930$14.391900.70
Recreation Workers$33,860$16.281900.66
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$30,060$14.451900.84
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$49,640$23.861901.43
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$78,200$37.601801.15
Social and Community Service Managers$88,320$42.461800.99
Managers, All Other$130,000$62.501800.33
Loan Officers$72,850$35.021800.76
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$38,650$18.581801.26
Physical Therapist Assistants$60,390$29.031801.85
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$32,780$15.761800.71
Printing Press Operators$47,570$22.871801.45
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$48,200$23.181701.61
Speech-Language Pathologists$80,740$38.821701.05
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$79,550$38.251700.85
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$47,010$22.601701.09
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$55,270$26.571701.55
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$36,170$17.391700.81
Cost Estimators$72,660$34.941600.82
Chemical Technicians$63,450$30.511603.14
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$47,480$22.831604.80
Management Analysts$79,810$38.371500.19
Computer Systems Analysts$98,500$47.361500.34
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$68,480Not published1501.55
Instructional Coordinators$79,290$38.121500.76
Occupational Therapists$84,840$40.791501.08
Nurse Practitioners$126,850$60.991500.53
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$52,710$25.341500.84
Chief Executives$198,390$95.381400.81
Facilities Managers$81,130$39.011401.06
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$80,850$38.871400.53
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$62,810Not published1400.63
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$47,110$22.651401.23
Emergency Medical Technicians$35,570$17.101400.93
Chefs and Head Cooks$56,340$27.091400.79
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$70,660$33.971401.01
Administrative Services Managers$87,690$42.161300.55
Self-Enrichment Teachers$37,600$18.081300.45
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$35,930$17.281300.28
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$80,460$38.681300.95
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$49,560$23.831301.18
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$84,570$40.661300.31
Postal Service Clerks$61,050$29.351301.99
Sheet Metal Workers$74,000$35.581301.29
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$74,340$35.741301.55
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44,970$21.621302.53
Helpers--Production Workers$41,890$20.141300.88
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$31,200$15.001301.50
Natural Sciences Managers$130,760$62.871201.24
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$83,030$39.921200.95
Library Assistants, Clerical$30,860$14.841201.67
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$54,320$26.121203.21
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$59,590$28.651200.76
Human Resources Managers$130,010$62.511100.59
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$51,320$24.671100.42
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$72,730$34.971101.42
Public Relations Specialists$60,000$28.851100.47
Respiratory Therapists$78,140$37.571100.87
Crossing Guards and Flaggers$32,710$15.731101.41
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$49,740$23.911100.82
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$47,700$22.931100.76
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$41,290$19.851103.96
Roofers$74,890$36.011100.94
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$103,490$49.751100.95
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$35,740$17.181103.04
Marketing Managers$129,620$62.321000.29
Computer Occupations, All Other$76,890$36.961000.27
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59,910$28.801001.17
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64,200$30.871003.05
Graphic Designers$52,300$25.151000.60
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$68,660$33.011000.35
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$28,490$13.701000.56
Sewing Machine Operators$35,110$16.881001.07
Financial and Investment Analysts$96,120$46.21900.30
Rehabilitation Counselors$34,130$16.41901.08
Healthcare Social Workers$62,870$30.23900.57
Tutors$46,130$22.18900.60
Dentists, General$178,410$85.77900.83
Paramedics$46,560$22.39901.03
Physical Therapist Aides$28,060$13.49902.08
Cooks, Short Order$33,210$15.97900.74
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$79,420$38.18900.47
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$39,050$18.78900.70
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$48,850$23.48900.44
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$46,380$22.30904.26
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$45,760$22.00902.82
Print Binding and Finishing Workers$42,050$20.21903.02
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$66,570$32.00903.73
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$42,500$20.44900.63
Purchasing Managers$129,260$62.15801.05
Property Appraisers and Assessors$58,650$28.20801.70
Engineers, All Other$100,920$48.52800.61
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$55,310$26.59800.86
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$70,380Not published800.58
Veterinarians$115,210$55.39801.05
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$46,670$22.44800.48
Phlebotomists$39,850$19.16800.64
School Bus Monitors$33,340$16.03801.16
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$44,030$21.17800.60
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$62,090$29.85800.68
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39,070$18.79801.56
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$45,240$21.75700.58
Data Scientists$94,250$45.31700.31
Civil Engineers$96,390$46.34700.23
Mechanical DraftersNot publishedNot published701.97
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$64,600$31.06700.92
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$59,590Not published700.72
Physician Assistants$128,870$61.96700.47
Family Medicine Physicians$265,890$127.83700.76
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$77,390$37.21701.53
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$62,830$30.21700.77
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$79,480$38.21700.75
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$53,040$25.50700.46
Funeral Attendants$36,870$17.73702.51
Order Clerks$43,400$20.86701.09
Public Safety Telecommunicators$48,840$23.48700.83
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$39,500$18.99700.41
Agricultural Inspectors$51,630$24.82705.22
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$61,180$29.41701.60
Glaziers$54,870$26.38701.31
Construction and Building Inspectors$72,330$34.77700.57
Millwrights$74,610$35.87701.92
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers$36,260$17.43702.44
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders$51,420$24.72704.04
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53,300$25.63706.32
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$41,850$20.12702.51
Parking Attendants$33,350$16.04700.56
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$52,130$25.06700.55
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$55,730$26.79600.98
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$63,210$30.39601.71
Fundraisers$60,420$29.05600.60
Food Science Technicians$52,130$25.06604.86
Clergy$49,850$23.97601.13
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$50,270$24.17600.17
Library Technicians$30,160$14.50600.95
Physicians, All Other$298,580$143.55600.21
Medical Records Specialists$44,910$21.59600.34
Opticians, Dispensing$37,440$18.00600.93
Occupational Therapy Assistants$59,370$28.55601.38
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$29,880$14.36600.42
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$45,750$22.00600.71
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$48,000$23.08600.20
Bill and Account Collectors$45,290$21.78600.45
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$35,950$17.29600.50
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$60,760$29.21601.37
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$66,730$32.08601.07
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$37,850$18.20600.74
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,180$21.24601.55
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$74,120$35.63500.18
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$57,760$27.77501.05
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$66,100$31.78500.97
Conservation Scientists$51,160$24.60502.35
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$84,620$40.68500.76
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$76,200Not published500.56
Chiropractors$79,570$38.25501.43
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$80,920$38.90500.58
Massage Therapists$62,010$29.81500.53
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$40,440$19.44500.55
Pest Control Workers$44,690$21.49500.51
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$44,540$21.41500.53
Residential Advisors$42,770$20.56500.72
File Clerks$44,560$21.42500.72
New Accounts Clerks$47,980$23.07501.52
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$58,570$28.16500.96
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$40,190$19.32503.24
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$35,860$17.24503.71
Lodging Managers$58,360$28.06401.09
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$96,440$46.37403.34
Labor Relations Specialists$61,860$29.74400.79
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$74,540$35.84400.38
Tax Preparers$43,230$20.79400.55
Computer Network Architects$103,760$49.89400.27
School Psychologists$83,060$39.94400.78
Urban and Regional Planners$70,640$33.96400.97
Biological Technicians$58,440$28.10400.61
Community Health Workers$37,240$17.90400.77
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers$45,340$21.80400.95
Special Education Teachers, Preschool$69,580Not published401.46
Floral Designers$30,890$14.85401.09
Producers and Directors$56,770$27.30400.35
Dietitians and Nutritionists$63,840$30.69400.65
Surgical Technologists$51,890$24.95400.43
Medical Equipment Preparers$37,060$17.82400.59
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$59,520$28.62400.63
Bailiffs$55,770$26.81402.78
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$59,910$28.80401.67
Tour and Travel Guides$27,160$13.06400.76
Sales Engineers$103,490$49.76400.96
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$50,080$24.08401.54
Agricultural Equipment Operators$43,330$20.83401.68
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$57,550$27.67400.52
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$70,160$33.73400.36
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$85,300$41.01400.89
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,960$23.06403.03
Prepress Technicians and Workers$52,400$25.19402.14
Credit Analysts$59,400$28.56300.55
Financial Specialists, All Other$85,960$41.33300.26
Information Security Analysts$119,310$57.36300.21
Web Developers$99,920$48.04300.51
Architectural and Civil Drafters$52,270$25.13300.34
Agricultural Technicians$42,640$20.50302.48
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$61,570$29.60301.31
Social Workers, All Other$53,340$25.64300.63
Health Education Specialists$59,990$28.84300.61
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$59,070Not published300.33
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$35,570$17.10302.26
Real Estate Sales Agents$58,120$27.94300.20
Sales and Related Workers, All Other$34,880$16.77300.42
Procurement Clerks$46,780$22.49300.71
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,440$24.25300.45
Couriers and Messengers$31,220$15.01300.56
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$35,880$17.25300.63
Food Processing Workers, All Other$38,900$18.70300.54
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,740$23.44302.71
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$49,880$23.98Not publishedNot published
Data Entry Keyers$39,100$18.80Not publishedNot published
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$30,160$14.50Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.