Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal agency of the federal government charged with tracking labor and economic indicators. Although the BLS is an independent agency, it also serves as a statistical resource for the U.S. Department of Labor. The BLS collects and analyzes various data pertaining to employment, prices and living conditions, import and export price indexes, productivity, and compensation. For example, the national unemployment rate and current conditions regarding employee hours and wages are among the most well-known and most-requested statistics provided by the BLS. In many instances, data can also be provided according to region or to industry. Moreover, data are updated on a regular basis, the frequency of which depends on the statistic in question. For example, monthly changes in the national unemployment rate are available. The BLS also regularly conducts national surveys, the results of which are of great interest to organizations. For instance, the Employee Benefit Survey details the percentage of organizations offering various forms of health and medical benefits. Data are conveniently available from the BLS via the agency's internet home page.