In this paper we use available data for the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT)
reconciled to the 1970 U.S. Census detailed occupational classification to create measures
of DOT variables for the 1960 U.S. Census detailed occupational classification. Such
measures are needed for cohort or other temporal comparisons employing data coded
according to the 1960, 1970, and 1980 detailed occupational classifications and to merge
DOT variables with micro-level data sets where occupation is coded using the 1960
detailed classification. We describe procedures used to reconcile the 1960 and 1970
detailed occupational classifications from information currently available and to compute
measures of DOT variables for the 1960 classification from measures of DOT variables
available for the 1970 classification. We then use confirmatory factor analysis to create
summary indices of occupational characteristics for the 1960, 1970, and 1980 Census
detailed occupational classification.We hypothesize a factor structure based on substantive
conceptual criteria and test this hypothesized structure by estimating a series of modified
and nested models. Our analysis produces measures of six occupational characteristics:
substantive complexity, motor skill, physical perception, social skill, physical demands,
and working conditions.