LMI Tuesdays | April 21, 2026

Annual data revisions

Many data users crave “real-time data”. Unfortunately, the fastest data are seldom the most accurate.

Quality data collection takes time. That’s why the US Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes data revisions every year – to give us a more accurate reading on economic conditions than the preliminary estimates that were first published.

This year, North Carolina’s job numbers were revised downward for the second year in a row, pointing to a widespread labor market slowdown…

Data Revisions show a slower rate of job growth

Downward revisions were widespread across most of NC’s Industry Sectors

Revised data depicts an incomplete recovery following hurricane helene

What can you do to get a better reading on labor market conditions?

Focus on slower, higher-quality data. Data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) are much more accurate than the preliminary, survey-based Current Employment Statistics (CES) estimates that are reported each month.

In general, you should always consult several different data sources. Every data source has strengths and weaknesses, and no one single number can ever tell the whole truth.

Listen to LEAD. Not everybody has time to dig through reams of economic statistics. We follow all the numbers so you don’t have to!

Resources of interest

LEAD Feed: April 2026 NC Economy Watch
Data Revisions Point to a Widespread Labor Market Slowdown

Follow us on social media:

• • LEAD Feed blog
• • LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter)
• • Newsletters: contact LEAD@commerce.nc.gov to subscribe

“Thank you!”

Andrew Berger-Gross
Senior Economist
andrewbg@commerce.nc.gov

Jonathan Guarine
Economist
jonathan.guarine@commerce.nc.gov