This webpage provides the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) values for activities in the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) and the 2002 Census Occupational Classification System (OCS). It serves as appendices to the following papers:
This webpage contains Tables 3, 4, and 5 from the 2009 publication on ATUS activities, and Tables 3 through 24 from the 2011 publication on OCS activities. Tables 1 and 2 of both publications remain within the articles themselves. Finally, corrections have been made to these tables, and have been noted below.
Using the MET Values
MET values for activities in American Time Use Survey (ATUS)
02 04 99 Exterior maintenance, repair and decoration, n.e.c.
activity not listed
4.49
02 05 01 Lawn, Garden, and Houseplants, n.e.c.
activity not listed
3.66
02 05 99 Lawn and garden, n.e.c.
3.66
3.45
03 02 99 Activities related to Household children's education, n.e.c.
1.59
1.57
Updated on 18 July 2013
11 02 99 Eating and drinking, n.e.c. corrected to 11 99 99
1.83
1.83 (no change)
Updated on 14 November 2016
05 5 Life, Physical, and Social Science
2.00
2.02
05 21 Production
2.69
2.67
05 22 Transportation and Material Moving
2.67
2.51
The MET values for ATUS activities presented in these tables and in the original articles are to be used expressly for analysis of the American Time Use Survey data. While they are based on the Compendium of Physical Activities, the MET levels differ from those in the Compendium due to combining activities and their associated MET levels in the ATUS. For consistency in assigning intensity values to physical activity questionnaires, researchers should use the MET values presented in the Compendium of Physical Activities.
*For occupational activities only
MET values for activities in 2002 Census Occupational Classification System (OCS)
The tables contain activity codes and MET values assigned to occupations in the stated fields.
These tables contain activity codes and MET values assigned to occupations in the stated fields. You can download these tables in Comma-Separated Values (CSV) or MS Excel (XLS) format for analysis in SAS or other statistical software.
View all codes, or search using the form below. (It is not necessary to enter search criteria for every field.)
Please note the following changes to these tables, which were made to resolve discrepancies or correct oversights in the original versions.
Additions to the tables
Table
Management Occupation Title from 2002 Census Occupational Classification System
2002 Census Code
Assigned Activity Codes
Assigned MET Values
Updated on 14 November 2016
4 (business and financial operations)
Insurance underwriters
0860
1
1.5
4 (business and financial operations)
Financial examiners
0900
1
1.5
7 (life, physical, and social science)
Biological scientists
1610
3
2.0
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Public relations specialists
2820
1
1.5
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Editors
2830
1
1.5
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Technical writers
2840
1
1.5
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Writers and authors
2850
1
1.5
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Miscellaneous media and communication workers
2860
1
1.5
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators
2900
1
1.5
11 (arts, design, entertainment, sports, media)
Photographers
2910
4
2.5
23 (production)
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
8000
6
3.5
23 (production)
Metal furnace and kiln operators and tenders
8040
6
2.0
23 (production)
Model makers and patternmakers, metal and plastic
8060
6
3.5
23 (production)
Molders and molding machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
8100
6
3.5
23 (production)
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
8120
6
3.5
23 (production)
Tool and die makers
8130
6
3.5
23 (production)
Welding, soldering, and brazing workers
8140
6
3.5
23 (production)
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
8150
3
2.0
23 (production)
Lay-out workers, metal and plastic
8160
3
2.0
24 (transportation and material moving)
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment
9610
5
3.0
Changes to the tables
Table
Management Occupation Title from 2002 Census Occupational Classification System
Changes made
Updated on 14 November 2016
4 (business and financial operations)
Meeting and convention planners
Assigned activity code corrected from 11 to 2
6 (architecture and engineering)
Drafters
Census code corrected from 1550 to 1540
6 (architecture and engineering)
Engineering technicians
Census code corrected from 1560 to 1550
7 (life, physical, and social science)
Agricultural and food scientists
Census code corrected from 1610 to 1600
7 (life, physical, and social science)
Miscellaneous social scientists and related workers
Census code corrected from 1850 to 1860
10 (education, training, and library)
Librarians
Assigned activity code corrected from 1 to 9
14 (protective service)
Fire fighters
Assigned activity code corrected from 12 to 13
21 (construction and extraction)
Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers
Assigned MET value corrected from 5.0 to 4.0
21 (construction and extraction)
Roustabouts, oil, and gas
Assigned activity code corrected from 17 to 16
24 (transportation and material moving)
All
Entire activity code column was corrected
24 (transportation and material moving)
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand
Assigned MET value corrected from 7.5 to 3.0
24 (transportation and material moving)
Refuse and recyclable material collectors
Assigned MET value corrected from 4.0 to 3.0
The MET values for OCS activities presented in these tables and in the original article are to be used expressly for analysis of Occupational Classification System data. While they are based on the Compendium of Physical Activities, the MET levels differ from those in the Compendium due to combining activities and their associated MET levels in the OCS.
An official website of the United States government
, the MET levels differ from those in the Compendium due to combining activities and their associated MET levels in the ATUS. For consistency in assigning intensity values to physical activity questionnaires, researchers should use the MET values presented in the Compendium of Physical Activities.