Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages - Field Definitions
Indicates the industry for which the data were reported. The data are based on the classification
of industrial activity as defined in the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Manual.
This manual defines eleven standard industry divisions and assigns each division a letter code from
A through K. The manual defines eighty-three major industry groups and assigns each a two-digit SIC
code. Within each of the major industry groups, the manual defines one or more industry groups and
assigns each of them a three-digit SIC code, the first two digits of which are the two-digit code of
the corresponding major industry group. Similarly, the manual defines one or more industries within
each industry group and assigns each of them a four-digit SIC code. Four hundred-sixteen industry
groups (three-digit SIC) and one thousand five industries (four-digit SIC) are defined in the manual.
This database uses a six position industry code that is composed of a zero followed by the letter code
of the division followed (optionally) by the two to four digit SIC code of the industry group or
industry to define each series. Data for the aggregates of all industrial activity are assigned
an industry code of 0Z.
Indicates the area for which the data were reported. The database uses a five-character code
for each area. Currently, data are available for the United States (excluding Puerto Rico and
Virgin Islands), as statewide data for each state, including Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, for
all counties, and all Metropolitan Areas.
Indicates the ownership sector for which the data were reported.
This database of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages information reports five datatypes: All employees,
number of establishments, total wages,
average weekly wage, and average annual pay.
Indicates the establishment size for which the data were reported. Currently, only data from
all establishment sizes combined are reported in this database.
Reported monthly employment data represent the number of covered workers who worked during, or
received pay for, the pay period which included the 12th day of the month. Reported annual average
employment is an average of the corresponding monthly employment levels.
Reported number of establishments represents the number of establishments whose activities were
reported to the Unemployment Insurance system for the quarter. An establishment is an economic unit,
such as a farm, mine, factory, or store, which produces goods or provides services. It is typically
at a single physical location and engaged in one, or predominantly one, type of economic activity for
which a single industrial classification may be applied. Reported annual average number of
establishments is an average of the corresponding quarterly number of establishment levels.
Reported quarterly total wages are the wages paid by Unemployment Insurance covered employers
during the calendar quarter, regardless of when the services were performed. Reported total annual
wages are the sum of the total wages reported for the corresponding quarters. Total wage values
reported in this database have been rounded and are reported in thousands of dollars.
Quarterly average weekly wage values are calculated by dividing quarterly total wages by the
average of the three monthly employment levels (all employees, as described above) and dividing
the result by thirteen. Annual average weekly wage values are calculated by dividing total annual
wages by the average of the twelve monthly employment levels and dividing the result by fifty-two.
These calculations are made from unrounded employment and wage values, so the average wage values
that can be calculated from data from this database may differ from the averages reported due to
rounding.
Average annual pay values are calculated by dividing total annual wages by the average of the
twelve monthly employment levels. These calculations are made from unrounded employment and wage
values, so the average wage values that can be calculated from data in this database may differ from
the averages reported due to rounding.
Last Modified Date: January 14, 2004
United States Department of Labor
