Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an agency within the U.S. Department of Labor, is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision making. As an independent statistical agency, BLS serves its diverse user communities by providing products and services that are objective, timely, accurate, and relevant. The BLS has provided essential economic information to support public and private decision making since 1884. The BLS is responsible for much of the nation’s important statistical information [Page 149]about employment and unemployment, prices and spending, compensation and working conditions, and productivity.

In all, the agency operates roughly two dozen statistical programs ...