The numbers behind reports of job growth or losses in North Carolina are generated through the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program, a joint effort between the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and state agencies such as North Carolina’s Department of Commerce Labor & Economic Analysis Division (LEAD). The CES is recognized as a key source for timely information on employment changes across the United States.
Known as the “payroll” or “establishment” survey, CES gathers data from nearly all government entities and a sample of private businesses. This information is used to estimate monthly figures for worker counts, hours worked, and earnings at national, state, and metropolitan levels for nonfarm jobs. These estimates are released each month for the previous month, offering essential insights into workforce trends and the broader economy.
According to the release, “BLS funds and administers the CES program, conducts the monthly survey, and then constructs and publishes monthly employment estimates. The state’s role is to review these estimates, give feedback on estimates, and provide contextual information regarding local events that may impact estimates. This collaborative approach provides a comprehensive view of employment trends across different regions and sectors both within states and nationally.”
The initial data released each month by CES are preliminary because businesses have limited time to respond before publication. BLS continues collecting responses after this first release; national statistics are revised over two months while state-level figures are updated after one month. An annual benchmarking process further adjusts these numbers using administrative tax data to ensure accuracy.
Employer participation in the CES survey is emphasized as vital for producing reliable economic indicators. As stated in the release: “To maintain accuracy and reliability of these critical economic indicators, it is crucial for employers to complete the survey promptly and accurately. Employer participation in the CES survey ensures that the employment data provides the most reliable snapshot of the economy, supporting informed decision-making in both public and private sectors.”
Recent CES reports for North Carolina can be accessed via both the BLS website and LEAD’s Demand Driven Data Delivery (D4) platform, which allows users to explore employment data by industry or region.
