What is the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics?
Christopher Ramos
Updated on February 06, 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures labor market activity, working conditions, price changes, and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision making.
What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculate?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics measures employment and unemployment for individuals over the age of 16. The unemployment rate is measured using two different labor force surveys. The Current Population Survey (CPS): also known as the “household survey” the CPS is conducted based on a sample of 60,000 households.
Is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics accurate?
The statistical reliability of the BLS wage data is adequate for most metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas (at least 90 percent of areas). For a small proportion of areas, the BLS data are not as reliable.
Who is included in the labor force?
The labor force includes all people age 16 and older who are classified as either employed and unemployed, as defined below. Conceptually, the labor force level is the number of people who are either working or actively looking for work.
Is Bureau of Labor Statistics survey mandatory?
Participation by private sector employers is mandated by OSHA. OSHA’s recordkeeping advisor explains some of the regulations that apply. For State and local government employers, your State laws determine whether participation in the survey is mandatory.
Who is included in the labor force by the Bureau of Labor Statistics?
Which state employs the most surveyors?
Geographic profile for Surveyors:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs |
|---|---|---|
| California | 4,510 | 0.27 |
| New Jersey | 1,200 | 0.32 |
| Alaska | 300 | 1.03 |
| Washington | 800 | 0.25 |
Who is not included in the labor force by the Bureau of Labor Statistics?
A job seeker is classified as unemployed only if he or she used at least one active job search method. Those who used only passive methods are classified as not in the labor force.
What does the Bureau of Labor Statistics do?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics.
How many economists are on the Federal Reserve Board?
The Federal Reserve Board employs over 300 Ph.D. economists, who represent an exceptionally diverse range of interests and specific areas of expertise. Board economists conduct cutting edge research, produce numerous working papers, and are among the leading contributors at professional meetings and in major journals.
Who are the staff members of the Federal Reserve?
Staff members analyze the effect of financial innovations and other changes in financial markets on the structure of the accounts.
