Annually, the BLS releases its benchmark revision. With this release, seasonally adjusted data from January 2008 have been revised to include a more comprehensive count of payrolls. The chart to the right compares the "pre-benchmark payroll growth estimate" with post-benchmark payroll growth.

Monthly Difference in Payrolls, Pre- and Post- Benchmark Revision, Thousands, SA, January 2012-December 2012 and January 2013

Additional detail:

  • See more information on the BLS's benchmarking procedures, including methodology and an explanation of why benchmarks differ from original estimates.