Nonfarm payrolls
Also called payroll jobs.
The number of paid jobs at U.S. businesses and government agencies outside farming, from BLS's survey of employers.
It's the headline number in the jobs report, estimated from the Current Employment Statistics survey. Source 1 Source 2
It counts jobs, not people, so someone with two jobs counts twice. Self-employed people aren't included. Source 3
Each month's estimate is revised in the next two releases and again in the yearly benchmark. Source 1 Source 4
Related terms
Where it comes up
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: The Employment Situation news release (opens in a new tab)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Current Employment Statistics overview (opens in a new tab)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Monthly Employment Situation report: quick guide to methods and measurement issues (opens in a new tab)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: CES national benchmark article (opens in a new tab)