Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages FAQ

Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages

• What types of geographical information are available?

  The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program provides data for the state, counties, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and Workforce Regions (WRs).

   

• What types of data are collected and reported by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program?

  The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program derives data from quarterly tax reports submitted to the State of Florida by employers subject to state Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws. Multi-establishment employers also provide individual worksite data. These reports provide information on the number of people employed and the wages paid to the employees each quarter. The QCEW/ES-202 program obtains information on the location and industrial activity of each reported establishment, and assigns location and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. These data are then aggregated by industry and geographical area and published according to state and federal confidentiality guidelines.

   

• When comparing QCEW data for different industries, areas, and over time, is there anything data users should be cautious about?

  Prior to 2001, employer business activity was classified according to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. In 2001, a conversion from the SIC to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) occurred. These data series are not comparable. Also, in order to ensure high quality data, the QCEW Unit updates, if necessary, the NAICS industry code, geographic location, and ownership classifications of employers on a continuous basis. These non-economic changes are introduced in the first quarter of each year. Due to these changes in industry and/or geographic location, QCEW data are often not comparable as a time series.

  Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) are also redefined from time to time. It is important to take these redefinitions into account when comparing QCEW data for different time periods.

• What is the schedule for release of QCEW data by the State of Florida?

  Preliminary annual data are available in June and final annual data are available in October of each year. Quarterly data are available six months after the end of each quarter.

   

• Is all information from the QCEW program fully disclosed to the public?

  No. Individual employer data provided to the state are not published. In accordance with Chapter 443 of the Florida Statutes, the state withholds publication of UI-covered employment and wage data for individual employers and any industry level when necessary to protect the identity of cooperating employers. Confidential employer information may be made available only to public employees in the performance of their public duties including statistical research, economic forecasting, workforce development, and implementation and administration of state law.

   

• Is there any employment that is not included in the QCEW data?

  Jobs that are exempt or otherwise not covered by unemployment insurance are not included in QCEW tabulations. These include self-employed nonagricultural workers, unpaid family workers, insurance agents paid solely by commission, and employees of religious organizations. Some state and local government workers, such as those who work at state colleges, universities, elementary and secondary schools, are also excluded.