Seasonal Adjustment Files and Documentation

Most series published by the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program have a regularly recurring seasonal movement that can be measured from past data. Seasonal adjustment eliminates the part of the change attributable to the normal seasonal variation and makes it possible to observe the cyclical and other nonseasonal movements in CES series. Seasonally adjusted series are published monthly for selected employment, hours, and earnings estimates.

Table of Contents

Use the links below to skip to specific topics about the CES seasonal adjustment research, first and second preliminary estimates specification files, and other files used for seasonal adjustment.

Technical Information

Technical information about seasonal adjustment in the CES program, including a detailed description of input files and methodology, is available in the Seasonal Adjustment section of the CES Technical Notes at www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cestn.htm#section6e.

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Research

Technical research related to seasonal adjustment in the CES program is outlined in the papers below:

  • "Concurrent Seasonal Adjustment for Industry Employment Statistics" (2002) — This research compares concurrent seasonal adjustment to projected-factor seasonal adjustment and discusses the implications of a conversion to concurrent seasonal adjustment by the CES program. (HTML) (PDF)
  • "Adjusting for Calendar Related Fluctuations in Average Weekly Hours and Average Hourly Earnings Series" (1998) — This research discusses distortions in the CES hours and earnings series caused by differences between reference periods in any given pair of months. In highly seasonal months and industries, this variation can be an important determinant of the magnitude of seasonal hires or layoffs that have occurred at the time the survey was taken, thereby complicating seasonal adjustment. (HTML)
  • "Adjusting for a Calendar Effect in Employment Time Series" (1996) — This research discusses inconsistencies in the seasonally adjusted series that arise because of variations of 4 to 5 weeks between the reference periods in any given pair of months. In highly seasonal months and industries, this variation can be an important determinant of the magnitude of seasonal hires or layoffs that have occurred at the time the survey was taken, thereby complicating seasonal adjustment. (PDF)

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Input Files

Note

All seasonal adjustment input files below have been compressed into ZIP files. A ZIP file utility is necessary to extract the files. For more information please visit How to View ZIP Files.

Specification files used to produce seasonally adjusted data for first preliminary estimates

The specification files in this section are equivalent to the files available prior to the 2012 CES benchmark release. The ZIP file containing the prior adjustments file and manual outliers file is now in the Other data used in seasonal adjustment section.

The specification files available in this section are used to produce seasonally adjusted data for first preliminary estimates. These files are used as inputs to X‑13ARIMA‑SEATS for the CES seasonally adjusted series that aggregate to total nonfarm. Not all specification files in these folders correspond to series that are released with first preliminary estimates. More information about the specification files in these ZIP files is available in the Seasonal Adjustment section of the CES Technical Notes at www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cestn.htm#section6e. In addition, the readme text file available within each of the ZIP files provides a brief description of and viewing instructions for the specification files.

Seasonal adjustment input specification files are grouped by data type:

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Specification files used to produce independently seasonally adjusted data for second preliminary estimates

The specification files in this section relate to detailed series not published prior to the 2012 CES benchmark release. The ZIP file containing the prior adjustments file and manual outliers file is now in the Other data used in seasonal adjustment section. The prior adjustment file is appropriate for use with these series; however, manual outliers identified for the first preliminary estimates are not applied to any detailed seasonally adjusted series available at the second preliminary estimates release.

The specification files available in this section are used to produce independently seasonally adjusted data for second preliminary estimates. These files are used as inputs to X‑13ARIMA‑SEATS for the CES independently seasonally adjusted series. More information about the specification files in these ZIP files is available in the Seasonal Adjustment section of the CES Technical Notes at www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cestn.htm#section6e. In addition, the readme text file available within each of the ZIP files provides a brief description of and viewing instructions for the specification files.

Seasonal adjustment input specification files are grouped by data type:

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Other data used in seasonal adjustment

The other input files in this section are equivalent to the other input files available prior to the 2012 CES benchmark release. The prior adjustments file and manual outliers file are available in the ZIP file below. The prior adjustment file is appropriate for use with all series; however, manual outliers identified for first preliminary estimates are not applied to any detailed, independently seasonally adjusted series available at the second preliminary estimate release.

The other input files available in this section are used as inputs to X‑13ARIMA‑SEATS for CES seasonal adjustment. This ZIP file includes user-defined regression files, a file of prior adjustments, and a file containing recent outliers. More information about the files in this ZIP file is available in the Seasonal Adjustment section of the CES Technical Notes at www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cestn.htm#section6e. In addition, the readme text file available within the ZIP file provides a brief description of the files and instructions.

Other seasonal adjustment input files:

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Updates to input files and availability of historical input files

Annually, BLS updates the specification files and prior adjustment file to reflect the updated series structure for that year. Monthly with each release of CES estimates, BLS updates the prior adjustment file and recent outlier file.

The annual specification files from 2005 forward are available upon request by contacting CES by email or by phone at 202‑691‑6555.

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Model Specifications

Model specifications tables provide mode (additive or multiplicative) and adjustment type (4/5 week, 10/11 day, Easter/Labor Day, etc.) information about the model selected for each CES series. The tables listed below include information for CES series that aggregate to total nonfarm. More information about mode and adjustment types in the CES application of seasonal adjustment is available in the Seasonal Adjustment section of the CES Technical Notes at www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cestn.htm#section6e.

Tables are available for the following data types:

  • All employees (AE)
  • AE average weekly hours (AE AWH)
  • AE average hourly earnings (AE AHE)
  • AE average weekly overtime hours (AE AWOH)
  • Production employees (PE)
  • PE average weekly hours (PE AWH)
  • PE average hourly earnings (PE AHE)
  • PE average weekly overtime hours (PE AWOH)
  • Women employees (WE)

Updates to model specifications and availability of historical model specifications

The seasonal adjustment model specifications tables are updated annually. Historical annual seasonal adjustment model specifications tables for 2003 to 2013 can be found in the archived CES benchmark articles at www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cesbmkarch.htm.

The more recent annual seasonal adjustment model specifications tables are available upon request by contacting CES by email or by phone at 202‑691‑6555.

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Model specifications tables

Use the links below to skip to specific tables.

Table 1. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of AE series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj Other Adj (1)

10-113300

Logging MULT X

10-211000

Oil and gas extraction ADD X

10-212000

Mining, except oil and gas - X Indirect

10-212100

Coal mining MULT X

10-212200

Metal ore mining ADD X

10-212300

Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying MULT X

10-213000

Support activities for mining ADD X

20-236100

Residential building - X Indirect

20-236200

Nonresidential building - X Indirect

20-237000

Heavy and civil engineering construction MULT X

20-238000

Specialty trade contractors - X Indirect

20-238001

Residential specialty trade contractors MULT X Raked

20-238002

Nonresidential specialty trade contractors ADD X Raked

31-321000

Wood products MULT X

31-327000

Nonmetallic mineral products MULT X

31-331000

Primary metals MULT X

31-332000

Fabricated metal products MULT X

31-333000

Machinery MULT X

31-334000

Computer and electronic products - X Indirect

31-334100

Computer and peripheral equipment MULT X

31-334200

Communications equipment MULT X

31-334400

Semiconductors and electronic components MULT X

31-334500

Electronic instruments MULT X

31-334600

Miscellaneous computer and electronic products MULT X

31-335000

Electrical equipment and appliances MULT X

31-336000

Transportation equipment MULT

31-336001

Motor vehicles and parts ADD

31-337000

Furniture and related products MULT X

31-339000

Miscellaneous durable goods manufacturing MULT X

32-311000

Food manufacturing MULT X

32-313000

Textile mills MULT X

32-314000

Textile product mills MULT X

32-315000

Apparel MULT X

32-322000

Paper and paper products MULT X

32-323000

Printing and related support activities MULT X

32-324000

Petroleum and coal products MULT X

32-325000

Chemicals MULT X

32-326000

Plastics and rubber products MULT X

32-329000

Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing MULT X

41-423000

Durable goods MULT X

41-424000

Nondurable goods MULT X

41-425000

Electronic markets and agents and brokers ADD X

42-441000

Motor vehicle and parts dealers - X Indirect

42-441100

Automobile dealers ADD X

42-441200

Other motor vehicle dealers MULT X

42-441300

Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores ADD X

42-442000

Furniture and home furnishings stores MULT X

42-443000

Electronics and appliance stores MULT X

42-444000

Building material and garden supply stores MULT X

42-445000

Food and beverage stores MULT X

42-446000

Health and personal care stores MULT X

42-447000

Gasoline stations ADD X

42-448000

Clothing and clothing accessories stores MULT X

42-451000

Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores MULT X

42-452000

General merchandise stores - X Indirect

42-452200

Department stores MULT X

42-452300

General merchandise stores, including warehouse clubs and supercenters ADD X

42-453000

Miscellaneous store retailers MULT X

42-454000

Nonstore retailers ADD X

43-481000

Air transportation MULT X

43-482000

Rail transportation MULT X

43-483000

Water transportation ADD X

43-484000

Truck transportation ADD X

43-485000

Transit and ground passenger transportation ADD

43-486000

Pipeline transportation MULT X

43-487000

Scenic and sightseeing transportation MULT X

43-488000

Support activities for transportation ADD X

43-492000

Couriers and messengers MULT X

43-493000

Warehousing and storage MULT X

44-220000

Utilities MULT X

50-511000

Publishing industries, except Internet MULT X

50-512000

Motion picture and sound recording industries ADD X

50-515000

Broadcasting, except Internet MULT X

50-517000

Telecommunications MULT X

50-518000

Data processing, hosting and related services MULT X

50-519000

Other information services ADD X

55-521000

Monetary authorities - central bank MULT X

55-522000

Credit intermediation and related activities - X Indirect

55-522100

Depository credit intermediation MULT X

55-522110

Commercial banking MULT X

55-522200

Nondepository credit intermediation MULT X

55-522300

Activities related to credit intermediation MULT X

55-523000

Securities, commodity contracts, investments, and funds and trusts MULT X

55-524000

Insurance carriers and related activities MULT X

55-531000

Real estate MULT X

55-532000

Rental and leasing services MULT X

55-533000

Lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets MULT X

60-540000

Professional and technical services - X Indirect

60-541100

Legal services MULT X

60-541200

Accounting and bookkeeping services ADD X

60-541300

Architectural and engineering services MULT X

60-541400

Specialized design services MULT X

60-541500

Computer systems design and related services ADD X

60-541600

Management and technical consulting services MULT X

60-541700

Scientific research and development services MULT X

60-541800

Advertising and related services ADD X

60-541900

Other professional and technical services ADD X

60-550000

Management of companies and enterprises ADD X

60-561000

Administrative and support services - X Indirect

60-561100

Office administrative services ADD X

60-561200

Facilities support services MULT X

60-561300

Employment services ADD X

60-561320

Temporary help services ADD X

60-561400

Business support services MULT X

60-561500

Travel arrangement and reservation services MULT X

60-561600

Investigation and security services ADD X

60-561700

Services to buildings and dwellings ADD X

60-561900

Other support services MULT X

60-562000

Waste management and remediation services ADD X

65-610000

Educational services MULT X

65-621000

Ambulatory health care services - X Indirect

65-621100

Offices of physicians MULT X

65-621200

Offices of dentists MULT X

65-621300

Offices of other health practitioners MULT X

65-621400

Outpatient care centers ADD X

65-621500

Medical and diagnostic laboratories MULT X

65-621600

Home health care services ADD X

65-621900

Other ambulatory health care services MULT X

65-622000

Hospitals MULT X

65-623000

Nursing and residential care facilities - X Indirect

65-623100

Nursing care facilities MULT X

65-623200

Residential mental health facilities ADD X

65-623300

Community care facilities for the elderly ADD X

65-623900

Other residential care facilities MULT X

65-624000

Social assistance - X Indirect

65-624100

Individual and family services MULT X

65-624200

Emergency and other relief services MULT X

65-624300

Vocational rehabilitation services MULT X

65-624400

Child day care services ADD X

70-711000

Performing arts and spectator sports MULT X

70-712000

Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions MULT X

70-713000

Amusements, gambling, and recreation MULT X

70-721000

Accommodation ADD X

70-722000

Food services and drinking places MULT X

80-811000

Repair and maintenance MULT X

80-812000

Personal and laundry services MULT X

80-813000

Membership associations and organizations MULT

90-911000

Federal, except U.S. Postal Service ADD X

90-919120

U.S. Postal Service MULT X

90-921611

State government education ADD X

90-922000

State government, excluding education MULT X

90-931611

Local government education ADD X

90-932000

Local government, excluding education MULT X Election adjustment

Footnotes
(1)Indirect indicates seasonal adjustment occurs at the lowest available industry level. Raked indicates residential and nonresidential specialty trade estimates are raked to the specialty trade estimates to ensure consistency. Election adjustment indicates a special adjustment for the presence/absence of poll workers in local government.

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Table 2. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of AE AWH series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj 10/11 Day Adj Easter/Labor Day Adj

10-000000

Mining and logging MULT X X

20-000000

Construction ADD X X

31-321000

Wood products ADD X X

31-327000

Nonmetallic mineral products ADD X X

31-331000

Primary metals ADD X X

31-332000

Fabricated metal products ADD X X

31-333000

Machinery MULT X X

31-334000

Computer and electronic products MULT X X

31-335000

Electrical equipment and appliances MULT X X

31-336000

Transportation equipment ADD X X

31-336001

Motor vehicles and parts ADD X X

31-337000

Furniture and related products MULT X X

31-339000

Miscellaneous durable goods manufacturing MULT X X

32-311000

Food manufacturing MULT X X

32-313000

Textile mills ADD X X

32-314000

Textile product mills MULT X X

32-315000

Apparel MULT X X

32-322000

Paper and paper products MULT X X

32-323000

Printing and related support activities MULT X X

32-324000

Petroleum and coal products MULT X X

32-325000

Chemicals MULT X

32-326000

Plastics and rubber products MULT X X

32-329000

Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing MULT X X

41-420000

Wholesale trade MULT X X

42-000000

Retail trade MULT X

43-000000

Transportation and warehousing MULT X X

44-220000

Utilities MULT X

50-000000

Information MULT X

55-000000

Financial activities MULT X

60-000000

Professional and business services MULT X X

65-000000

Education and health services MULT X

70-000000

Leisure and hospitality MULT X

80-000000

Other services MULT X X

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Table 3. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of AE AHE series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj 10/11 Day Adj

10-000000

Mining and logging ADD X

20-000000

Construction ADD X

31-321000

Wood products ADD X

31-327000

Nonmetallic mineral products MULT X

31-331000

Primary metals ADD X

31-332000

Fabricated metal products MULT X

31-333000

Machinery ADD X

31-334000

Computer and electronic products MULT X

31-335000

Electrical equipment and appliances ADD X

31-336000

Transportation equipment ADD X

31-336001

Motor vehicles and parts MULT X

31-337000

Furniture and related products ADD X

31-339000

Miscellaneous durable goods manufacturing ADD X

32-311000

Food manufacturing MULT X

32-313000

Textile mills MULT X

32-314000

Textile product mills ADD X

32-315000

Apparel MULT X

32-322000

Paper and paper products MULT X

32-323000

Printing and related support activities ADD X

32-324000

Petroleum and coal products MULT X

32-325000

Chemicals MULT X

32-326000

Plastics and rubber products ADD X

32-329000

Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing MULT X

41-420000

Wholesale trade ADD X

42-000000

Retail trade MULT X

43-000000

Transportation and warehousing ADD X

44-220000

Utilities ADD X

50-000000

Information MULT X

55-000000

Financial activities MULT X

60-000000

Professional and business services ADD X

65-000000

Education and health services ADD X

70-000000

Leisure and hospitality MULT X

80-000000

Other services MULT X

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Table 4. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of AE AWOH series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj 10/11 Day Adj Easter/Labor Day Adj

31-000000

Durable goods ADD X X

32-000000

Nondurable goods ADD X X

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Table 5. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of PE series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj

10-000000

Mining and logging ADD X

20-000000

Construction MULT X

31-321000

Wood products MULT X

31-327000

Nonmetallic mineral products MULT X

31-331000

Primary metals MULT X

31-332000

Fabricated metal products MULT X

31-333000

Machinery MULT X

31-334000

Computer and electronic products MULT X

31-335000

Electrical equipment and appliances MULT X

31-336000

Transportation equipment MULT

31-336001

Motor vehicles and parts ADD

31-337000

Furniture and related products MULT X

31-339000

Miscellaneous durable goods manufacturing MULT X

32-311000

Food manufacturing MULT X

32-313000

Textile mills MULT X

32-314000

Textile product mills MULT X

32-315000

Apparel MULT X

32-322000

Paper and paper products MULT X

32-323000

Printing and related support activities MULT X

32-324000

Petroleum and coal products ADD X

32-325000

Chemicals MULT X

32-326000

Plastics and rubber products MULT X

32-329000

Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing ADD X

41-420000

Wholesale trade MULT X

42-000000

Retail trade MULT X

43-000000

Transportation and warehousing MULT X

44-220000

Utilities MULT X

50-000000

Information MULT X

55-000000

Financial activities MULT X

60-000000

Professional and business services ADD X

65-000000

Education and health services MULT X

70-000000

Leisure and hospitality MULT X

80-000000

Other services MULT X

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Table 6. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of PE AWH series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj 10/11 Day Adj Easter/Labor Day Adj

10-000000

Mining and logging MULT X X

20-000000

Construction ADD X X

31-321000

Wood products ADD X X

31-327000

Nonmetallic mineral products ADD X X

31-331000

Primary metals ADD X X

31-332000

Fabricated metal products MULT X X

31-333000

Machinery MULT X X

31-334000

Computer and electronic products MULT X X

31-335000

Electrical equipment and appliances ADD X X

31-336000

Transportation equipment ADD X X

31-336001

Motor vehicles and parts ADD X X

31-337000

Furniture and related products MULT X X

31-339000

Miscellaneous durable goods manufacturing MULT X X

32-311000

Food manufacturing MULT X X

32-313000

Textile mills ADD X X

32-314000

Textile product mills MULT X X

32-315000

Apparel MULT X X

32-322000

Paper and paper products MULT X X

32-323000

Printing and related support activities MULT X X

32-324000

Petroleum and coal products MULT X X

32-325000

Chemicals MULT X

32-326000

Plastics and rubber products MULT X X

32-329000

Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing MULT X X

41-420000

Wholesale trade MULT X X

42-000000

Retail trade MULT X

43-000000

Transportation and warehousing ADD X X

44-220000

Utilities MULT X

50-000000

Information MULT X

55-000000

Financial activities MULT X

60-000000

Professional and business services MULT X X

65-000000

Education and health services MULT X

70-000000

Leisure and hospitality MULT X

80-000000

Other services MULT X X

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Table 7. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of PE AHE series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj 10/11 Day Adj

10-000000

Mining and logging ADD X

20-000000

Construction MULT X

31-321000

Wood products MULT X

31-327000

Nonmetallic mineral products MULT X

31-331000

Primary metals ADD X

31-332000

Fabricated metal products MULT X

31-333000

Machinery ADD X

31-334000

Computer and electronic products MULT X

31-335000

Electrical equipment and appliances ADD X

31-336000

Transportation equipment MULT X

31-336001

Motor vehicles and parts MULT X

31-337000

Furniture and related products ADD X

31-339000

Miscellaneous durable goods manufacturing MULT X

32-311000

Food manufacturing ADD X

32-313000

Textile mills MULT X

32-314000

Textile product mills ADD X

32-315000

Apparel MULT X

32-322000

Paper and paper products ADD X

32-323000

Printing and related support activities ADD X

32-324000

Petroleum and coal products ADD X

32-325000

Chemicals MULT X

32-326000

Plastics and rubber products MULT X

32-329000

Miscellaneous nondurable goods manufacturing MULT X

41-420000

Wholesale trade MULT X

42-000000

Retail trade MULT X

43-000000

Transportation and warehousing MULT X

44-220000

Utilities MULT X

50-000000

Information MULT X

55-000000

Financial activities ADD X

60-000000

Professional and business services ADD X

65-000000

Education and health services ADD X

70-000000

Leisure and hospitality MULT X

80-000000

Other services MULT X

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Table 8. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of PE AWOH series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj 10/11 Day Adj Easter/Labor Day Adj

31-000000

Durable goods ADD X X

32-000000

Nondurable goods ADD X X

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Table 9. Model specifications for seasonal adjustment of WE series
CES Industry Code CES Industry Title Mode 4/5 Week Adj Other Adj (1)

10-000000

Mining and logging MULT X

20-000000

Construction MULT X

31-000000

Durable goods MULT X

32-000000

Nondurable goods MULT X

41-420000

Wholesale trade MULT X

42-000000

Retail trade MULT X

43-000000

Transportation and warehousing MULT X

44-220000

Utilities MULT X

50-000000

Information MULT X

55-520000

Finance and insurance MULT X

55-530000

Real estate and rental and leasing MULT X

60-540000

Professional and technical services ADD X

60-550000

Management of companies and enterprises ADD X

60-560000

Administrative and waste services ADD X

65-610000

Educational services MULT X

65-620000

Health care and social assistance MULT X

70-710000

Arts, entertainment, and recreation MULT X

70-720000

Accommodation and food services MULT X

80-000000

Other services MULT X

90-910000

Federal MULT X

90-920000

State government ADD X

90-930000

Local government ADD X Election adjustment

Footnotes
(1)Election adjustment indicates a special adjustment for the presence/absence of poll workers in local government.

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Last Modified Date: February 2, 2018