Research and Information Services
Employment and Wage Data Technical Notes
The employment, wage, payroll, and establishment data available in this database are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's (BLS) Covered Employment and Wages, or ES-202 program. The ES-202 data are the most comprehensive sources of industry data at the national, state, and local levels.
The ES-202 statistics produced by the U.S. government are derived from the quarterly tax reports submitted to State Employment Agencies by employers subject to state unemployment insurance laws and from federal agencies subject to the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees program. The data are reported to BLS by the employment security agencies of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
One challenge in using the ES-202 industry data is that the U.S. government does not disclose data when necessary to protect the identity of cooperating employers. For example, the U.S. government does not provide statistics when a single establishment represents 80 percent or more of the industry's employment in a particular geographic area, when the sector has fewer than three establishments, or when specifically requested by a state to protect a company's identity. Content First can attempt to provide you with some suggestions to overcome these disclosure problems.
EMPLOYMENT
The employment data represents the number of covered workers who worked during, or
received pay for, the pay period that included the 12th day of the month. The data
are reported on an annual average basis for the entire year. Virtually all workers
are reported in the state where their jobs are physically located.
Covered private industry employment includes most corporate officials, executives, supervisory personnel, professionals, clerical workers, wage earners, pieceworkers, and part-time workers. It excludes proprietors, the unincorporated self-employed, unpaid family members, and certain farm and domestic workers. Monthly employment data for the year are averaged together to determine annual average employment for each industry sector.
PAYROLL
Payroll represents the total compensation paid during the calendar year, regardless of
when the services were performed. Under most state laws or regulations, wages
include bonuses, stock options, the cash value of meals and lodging, tips and other
gratuities, and in some states, employer contributions to certain deferred compensation
plans such as 401(k) plans. Contributions for old-age, survivors, disability
insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and private
pension and welfare funds are not reported as wages. Employee contributions for the
same purposes, however, as well as money withheld for income taxes, union dues, and so
forth are reported even though they are deducted from the worker's gross pay.
WAGES
The annual average wage is calculated by dividing payroll by employment. Content
First can help you adjust the wages and payroll statistics to control for inflation.
ESTABLISHMENTS
An establishment is an economic unit, such as a factory or store that produces goods or
provides services. It is typically at a single physical location and engaged in one,
or predominantly one, type of economic activity for which a single industrial
classification may be applied.
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