Catherwood LibraryILR School

The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures the level of employment in two ways - by household surveys and payroll surveys. Payroll surveys reflect the number of jobs as reported by employers while household surveys poll workers directly about their job status and these two estimates are often quite different. The payroll survey does not include consultants and self-employed individuals, and may count workers who change jobs twice. For now, the writer suggests the household survey should be seen as the standard for long-term analysis, and payrolls should be kept in perspective.