The Current Employment Statistics (CES) program is based on a monthly sample survey of employing establishments. This survey provides employment, hours, and earnings information about persons on nonfarm payrolls. CES operates as a federal/state partnership.

The unit analyzes and verifies monthly survey data and transmits it to BLS in Washington D.C. New Hampshire's data are then combined with that of other states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories to assist in measuring national economic trends. CES estimates the current number of jobs in nonfarm wage and salary employment and the average weekly hours, the average weekly earnings, and the average hourly earnings for manufacturing production workers. Estimates are made for the state; for the Manchester and Nashua PMSAs; and the Portsmouth-Rochester NH-ME PMSA. Current estimates of employment, hours, and earnings provide indicators of economic activity and business cycles in the state and the selected areas on a more timely basis than covered employment data from the employment and wages program. When available, employment and wage data is used to benchmark CES estimates.

Beginning with January 2003 data, Current Employment Statistics (CES) will be published using the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), replacing the Standard Industrial Classification system (SIC). While the CES structure will be modified slightly, there is a major impact to the terminology used. The following is an example of the conversion from SIC to NAICS:

The primary purpose for the conversion was to standardize industrial classification for the entire North American continent, as well as bringing the classification system in tune with today’s economy, including new and evolving technology.

For additional information about the SIC to NAICS transition, please see the special insert in our November 2002 issue of Economic Conditions in New Hampshire.