Data are from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program. QCEW provides the most detailed private sector employment and wage estimates by industry for the U.S., all states, metro areas, and counties.
QCEW monthly employment data represent the number of covered workers who worked during, or received pay for, the pay period that included the 12th day of the month. Covered employees in the private-sector and in the state and local government include most corporate officials, all executives, all supervisory personnel, all professionals, all clerical workers, many farmworkers, all wage earners, all piece workers, and all part-time workers. Workers on paid sick leave, paid holiday, paid vacation, and the like are also covered.
QCEW wages data represent the total compensation paid during the calendar quarter, regardless of when the services were performed. Covered employer contributions to old-age, survivors and disability insurance, health insurance, UI, workers' compensation, and private pension and welfare funds are not reported as wages. Employee contributions for the same purposes, however, as well as money withheld for income taxes, union dues, and so forth, are reported, even though they are deducted from the worker’s gross pay (CEW overview).
