Non-Farm Payrolls

The number of workers in the United States, excluding farm workers and those in a few other employment groupings, is calculated using non-farm payrolls. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) measures this by asking private and public organizations in the United States about their payrolls. Through its carefully watched "Employment Situation" report, which is released every month, the BLS provides the public with non-farm payroll figures. The non-farm payrolls statistics also excludes some government employees, residents of private homes, business owners, and employees of non-profit organizations in addition to farm workers.