Question
Why does "natural resources and mining" employment differ between the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) and Current Employment Statistics (CES) datasets?
Answer
The definition of "natural resources and mining" is more inclusive in the QCEW than in the CES, hence the former's measure of employment is higher.
- QCEW: XESPRMM.US = NAICS 11 + NAICS 21
- CES: XERM.US = NAICS 1133 + NAICS 21
Background:
The scope of the CES excludes all agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (NAICS 11) employment with the exception of logging (NAICS 1133). The QCEW is more comprehensive.
The QCEW is the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, a.k.a. ES202, measured in single persons.
The CES is BLS Current Employment Statistics, a.k.a. monthly nonfarm payroll survey, a.k.a BLS790, measured in thousands of persons.
Related Releases
Census of Employment & Wages (QCEW)
Employment Situation
Metropolitan Area Employment (CES)
State Employment and Unemployment
Census of Employment & Wages (QCEW) - Annual