Overview of BLS Statistics on Employment and Unemployment

Few economic data are as closely watched as measures of employment and unemployment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics programs covering jobs and joblessness reveal more than the general level of economic activity and utilization of labor. These programs also provide statistics on the following:

• the situations of minorities, women, and other demographic groups
• contingent and displaced workers
• hours and earnings in industries
• State and local area unemployment
• mass layoffs
• occupational employment and wages
• labor market experiences measured for the same workers at multiple points in time,
• workers covered by unemployment insurance
• labor demand and turnover
• gross job gains and losses NEW

National Employment (from the Current Employment Statistics survey)

A monthly survey of the payroll records of business establishments provides data on employment, hours, and earnings of workers at the National level.

National Unemployment Rate (from the Current Population Survey)

A monthly household survey provides comprehensive information on the employment and unemployment of the population classified by age, sex, race, and other characteristics.

State and Local Employment (from the Current Employment Statistics survey)

The monthly survey of business establishments provides estimates of employment, hours, and earnings for individual States and metropolitan areas.

State and Local Unemployment Rates

Monthly estimates of employment and unemployment are available for all States, metropolitan areas, small labor market areas, counties, cities of 25,000 or more, all cities and towns in New England, and certain other areas.

Mass Layoff Statistics

BLS publishes monthly reports on all mass layoffs and quarterly reports on layoffs lasting more than 30 days. These reports identify, describe, and track the effects of major job cutbacks, using data from each State's unemployment insurance database supplemented with employer-provided data.

Employment Projections

Estimates of the labor market 10 years into the future and other career information are available.

Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)

The JOLTS program provides monthly data on job openings, hires, and separations.

Employment by Occupation

An annual mail survey provides data on employment and wages by occupation and industry for about 750 occupations and 400 industries throughout the Nation, and similar data for all States and selected metropolitan areas.

Longitudinal Studies (National Longitudinal Surveys)

These surveys provide information about many aspects of the lives and labor market experiences of six groups of men and women at multiple points in time, some stretching over several decades.

State and County Employment (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)

A complete count of employment and wages is available, classified by industry and based on quarterly reports filed by employers for approximately 7.3 million establishments subject to unemployment insurance laws.

Business Employment Dynamics NEW

Quarterly data series of gross job gains and gross job losses statistics, generated from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program.

Time Use

The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) will measure the amount of time people spend doing various activities, such as paid work, childcare, volunteering, commuting, and socializing. Data will first be published in 2004.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

This publication describes, for a wide range of occupations, the nature of the work, working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects.

Last Modified Date: January 6, 2004

Phone: (202) 691-5200
Fax-on-demand: (202) 691-6325
Data questions: blsdata_staff@bls.gov
Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov
Other comments: feedback@bls.gov