Data collected by private companies can give us unique insight into the economy, but it’s not a substitute for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Trump’s pick to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics has suggested pausing the report, a proposal that investors, companies, and policymakers would not be fond of. 

There are private firms that offer specialized economic data, but they're not always as comprehensive as government sources.

The softening job market and immigration crackdown may be what’s behind the increase.

You take it with a grain of salt and find proxy data.

We went looking for other labor market data to suss out how healthy the job market really is right now. 

Just 30% of respondents did some form of socializing on an average day in 2024 — down 8% from a decade ago.

The federal government’s producer price index can show when higher prices are coming soon to a retailer near you.

A proposed rule affecting federal workers “opens the door” for reporting data in ways that don’t align with established norms.

If the rule goes into effect, it could be harder for economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics — who are anxious about losing their jobs — to deliver bad news.