A method and system for providing single stage pointer and overhead processing is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, data including bytes of each of multiple types of overhead data is received at a logical element of a communications network. The logical element includes a labeler to label the bytes of each of the multiple types of overhead data and a pointer processor to read the labeled bytes and perform specific operations corresponding to the label, wherein the bytes of at least one type of overhead data are labeled based on feedback provided by the pointer processor to the labeler.