Getting under the hood of how the jobs numbers are collected (and revised) (PM+)
Update: 2025-09-01
Description
Ahead of a new monthly jobs report later this week (and on this Labor Day!), we're sharing an extended conversation between Darian Woods and former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, William Beach. In this bonus episode, they talk about how the jobs numbers are collected and how revisions work (particularly his reaction to the large revision we recently got). We also get his reaction to the firing of Erika McEntarfer. She served as BLS commissioner until President Trump fired her last month, accusing McEntarfer of "rigging" the jobs numbers.
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NPR Privacy Policy
Show your support for Planet Money and the reporting we do by signing up for Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. You'll be able to unlock this episode and other great bonus content! Regular episodes remain free to listen!
Email the show at planetmoney@npr.org.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
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