Each year, the establishment survey estimates are benchmarked to comprehensive counts of employment from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) for the month of March. These counts are derived from state unemployment insurance (UI) tax records that nearly all employers are required to file. At 10:00 a.m. on August 18, 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release the preliminary estimate of the upcoming annual benchmark revision to the establishment survey data. This is the same day that the first quarter 2021 data from QCEW will be issued. Preliminary benchmark revisions for all major industry sectors, as well as total nonfarm and total private employment, will be available at this web address.

The final benchmark revision will be issued with the publication of the January 2022 Employment Situation news release in February 2022.

Last Modified Date: July 2, 2021

August 17, 2021

Real (adjusted for inflation) average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.1 percent from June to July 2021. This result stems from an increase of 0.4 percent in average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.5 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

August 17, 2021

Real (adjusted for inflation) average hourly earnings for all employees decreased 0.1 percent from June to July 2021. This result stems from an increase of 0.4 percent in average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.5 percent in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.

August 16, 2021

Over the 12 months ended July 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 5.4 percent. Food prices increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months. Within the food category, food at home prices rose 2.6 percent, including a 5.9-percent increase in prices for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Food away from home increased 4.6 percent over this period.

I have repeatedly seen during my time as Commissioner of Labor Statistics how driven and conscientious BLS employees are. This is especially true of how they relate to our customers.

At the core of our agency’s mission is a responsibility to our customers. BLS strives to meet the needs of a diverse set of customers for accurate, objective, relevant, timely, and accessible information. At the same time, we need to keep pace with a rapidly changing economy. Our data must reflect world events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

How do we meet this responsibility to our customers and keep them informed? How do we stay informed about what our customers face and what they need? For years, BLS Regional Offices have sponsored data user conferences to address these questions. These conferences have always been successful forums with broad representation from our data users.

I have participated in many such conferences virtually and in person. I recently had the...

August 16, 2021

Over the 12 months ended July 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 5.4 percent. Food prices increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months. Within the food category, food at home prices rose 2.6 percent, including a 5.9-percent increase in prices for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Food away from home increased 4.6 percent over this period.

August 13, 2021

From the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021, nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 1.9 percent. Unit labor costs increased 0.1 percent over the last four quarters, and hourly compensation increased 2.0 percent.

August 13, 2021

From the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021, nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 1.9 percent. Unit labor costs increased 0.1 percent over the last four quarters, and hourly compensation increased 2.0 percent.

County Employment and WagesWednesday, August 18, 2021 (10:00 AM)Summer Youth Labor ForceWednesday, August 18, 2021 (10:00 AM)State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly)Friday, August 20, 2021 (10:00 AM)Number of Jobs, Labor Market Experience, and Earnings Growth: Results from a National Longitudinal Survey Tuesday, August 31, 2021 (10:00 AM)Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment (Monthly)Wednesday, September 01, 2021 (10:00 AM)Productivity and CostsThursday, September 02, 2021 (08:30 AM)

August 13, 2021

From the second quarter of 2020 to the second quarter of 2021, nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 1.9 percent. Unit labor costs increased 0.1 percent over the last four quarters, and hourly compensation increased 2.0 percent.

August 12, 2021

The number of job openings increased to 10.1 million in June 2021, the highest since we started tracking job openings in December 2000. In June 2021, the number of hires rose by 697,000 to 6.7 million, while the number of total separations increased by 254,000 to 5.6 million.

August 12, 2021

The number of job openings increased to 10.1 million in June 2021, the highest since we started tracking job openings in December 2000. In June 2021, the number of hires rose by 697,000 to 6.7 million, while the number of total separations increased by 254,000 to 5.6 million.

August 10, 2021

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 943,000 in July 2021, following a similar increase in June (+938,000). Nonfarm payroll employment in July is up by 16.7 million since April 2020 but is down by 5.7 million, or 3.7 percent, from its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.

August 10, 2021

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 943,000 in July 2021, following a similar increase in June (+938,000). Nonfarm payroll employment in July is up by 16.7 million since April 2020 but is down by 5.7 million, or 3.7 percent, from its pre-pandemic level in February 2020.