Overview

Introduction

The Talent Benchmark API is a RESTful service that provides access to key indicators used to benchmark talent across locations in the United States. It delivers insights into supply, demand, diversity, and compensation for any job title and city, helping organizations evaluate and compare labor market dynamics.

This API aggregates data from several Lightcast datasets, including US Job Postings, US Profiles, and US Diversity, as well as Lightcast’s Compensation Model. Together, these sources provide a comprehensive view of the labor market, supporting data-driven benchmarking and workforce analysis.

Note: By default, all clients are allowed a maximum of** 5 requests per second.** Contact us if you require higher limits.

API Endpoint

There are multiple endpoints within this category. Refer to individual API docs under the Talent Benchmark section.

Request Headers

(*) Indicates the action is required

All requests must include the following headers:

Authentication

All endpoints in this category require an OAuth 2.0 Bearer Token for authentication. Tokens are granted through Lightcast’s Authentication API and are valid for 1 hour.

To access the Talent Benchmark API, the token must include the following scope:

• benchmark (for expanded access)

Sample Request

curl --request POST \
  --url https://auth.emsicloud.com/connect/token \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded' \
  --data 'client_id=<CLIENT_ID>' \
  --data 'client_secret=<CLIENT_SECRET>' \
  --data grant_type=client_credentials \
  --data scope=benchmark

Request Parameters

Sample Response

{
  "access_token": "<ACCESS_TOKEN>",
  "expires_in": 3600,
  "token_type": "Bearer"
}

Note that the Tokens expire after 3600 seconds. To maintain uninterrupted access, refresh the token before it expires. To know more about this, refer to the Authentication guide.

Response Parameters

Methodology

Inputs are normalized to their respective taxonomies:

• Titles→ normalized to SOC codes and skills
• Cities→ normalized to MSAs; if an MSA is not available, the corresponding county is used

Note: Diversity data does not include skills and therefore cannot be filtered by them. See the diversity endpoint for more information.

Advanced Filtering

For more granular benchmarking, the API supports an advanced filtering option. This allows direct filtering using your own occupation, skill, or location identifiers.

Unlike standard parameters, advanced filter values are not normalized by the API and are applied exactly as provided.

Note that,

• The advanced filter cannot be used together with title or city filters.
• When using the advanced filter, searchParams.area in the response will return a list of area objects instead of a single object.
• Metrics such as supplyRating, demandRating, and wageRating are not returned for advanced filters, as these require an MSA for calculation.
• To access advanced filtering, please contact your Lightcast representative.

Version information for advanced filters is available through the [/meta](https://docs.lightcast.dev/apis/talent-benchmark#meta) endpoint.

{
  "advanced": {
    "occupations": [
      "15-1252"
    ],
    "skills": [
      "KS125716TLTGH6SDHJD1",
      "KS1219W70LY1GXZDSKW5"
    ],
    "counties": [
      "16001",
      "16003"
    ]
  }
}

Status Code Summary