The Gig Economy and BLS Data: What's Missing

The Bureau of Labor Statistics produces the most comprehensive labor market statistics in the world. But all measurement systems have blind spots, and the BLS is no exception. As alternative work arrangements have grown — freelancing, platform-based gig work, independent contracting — official statistics have struggled to keep up.

Who Gets Counted Where

The payroll survey (CES) counts wage and salary employees reported on employer payrolls. Self-employed workers, independent contractors, and gig workers paid as contractors are not in CES. The household survey (Current Population Survey, which produces the unemployment rate) includes self-employment, but relies on respondents' self-classification — which is inconsistent.

OEWS explicitly excludes self-employed workers. This matters for occupations where self-employment is common: rideshare drivers, freelance writers, independent consultants, and many healthcare practitioners. OEWS wages for these occupations reflect only the employed subset.

The BLS Contingent Worker Supplement

BLS periodically conducts a Contingent Worker Supplement (CWS) to the CPS, asking about alternative work arrangements. The most recent (2024) showed that independent contractors, on-call workers, temporary agency workers, and contract company workers collectively represent about 10–12% of employment. However, this count depends heavily on how questions are asked and whether workers identify their arrangements as primary.

The bottom line: official wage and employment data are most reliable for traditional W-2 employment. For occupations and sectors dominated by independent work, they should be interpreted with caution.