Data source explanation
What is the Bureau of Labor Statistics?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, is a major public source for data on employment, wages, occupations, inflation, productivity, and prices.
For the Wealth Reform Project, BLS data helps connect wealth concentration to the conditions facing workers and households: how much people earn, what things cost, how jobs are changing, and whether wages are keeping up with basic needs.
Related live chart
The first BLS-related chart compares average hourly earnings with consumer price inflation. It helps show whether wage growth is keeping up with price growth.
View Wages and Inflation Chart
Why it matters
Wealth inequality cannot be understood only by looking at people who already own assets. It also matters whether workers are able to earn enough to save, invest, buy homes, reduce debt, and build long-term security.
BLS data is useful because it shows the labor side of the economy. It can help answer whether ordinary work is still producing enough economic security.
Useful categories
| Category | Examples | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wages | Hourly earnings, occupational wages, wage growth | Shows whether worker pay is rising enough to support wealth-building. |
| Employment | Unemployment, labor force participation, job openings | Shows the strength or weakness of the labor market. |
| Inflation | Consumer Price Index | Shows how prices affect household purchasing power. |
| Occupations | Pay by job type, region, and industry | Shows which kinds of work provide economic security and which do not. |
| Productivity | Output per hour, labor productivity | Helps compare worker output with worker compensation. |
| Regional data | State and local employment and wage data | Allows comparison between local wages and local costs. |
Current project status
This source has been identified as a priority source. The next step is to expand the BLS work into additional charts on wages, inflation, occupational pay, and regional cost pressure.