Alternative Jobs Report Offers Fresh Data Amid BLS Shutdown
When the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) temporarily halted operations during the recent federal government shutdown, one independent research firm stepped in to fill the gap. Revelio Labs released its Revelio Public Labor Statistics (RPLS) report, estimating that the U.S. economy added 60,000 jobs in September, according to a press release.
The Story
Revelio’s RPLS data show total nonfarm employment increasing from about 159.075 million in August to 159.136 million in September — a gain of roughly 60,000 positions. However, employment in the “Government” sector declined slightly from 23.271 million to 23.2707 million (a loss of about 500 jobs), indicating flat public-sector hiring.
The largest job gains occurred in education and health services (+45,600), while leisure and hospitality saw losses (–34,200). Job postings and advertised salaries both decreased, suggesting a cooling labor market.
About Revelio Public Labor Statistics
Revelio Labs, a workforce analytics company, launched RPLS to provide real-time labor insights even when official data is delayed. The firm states that its database comprises over 100 million U.S. worker profiles, covering roughly two-thirds of employed individuals — a larger share than the BLS establishment survey, which samples approximately 27 percent of workers.
RPLS aggregates anonymized data from employment records, professional profiles, and online job listings to estimate employment levels, wages, hiring, and attrition rates across both private and public sectors. The dataset includes a Government employment category, providing public administrators, economists, and pension system analysts with a consistent view of workforce trends in state and local governments.
How It Compares to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Report
The BLS Employment Situation remains the nation’s official measure of job creation, drawing from monthly establishment and household surveys. However, RPLS offers an alternative model that updates continuously and can publish data during shutdowns or periods of data delay.
| Feature | Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) | Revelio Public Labor Statistics (RPLS) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Government establishment & household surveys | Private-sector data from 100M+ worker profiles and job postings |
| Coverage | ~27% of employed workers | ~67% of employed workers |
| Public-sector tracking | Federal, state, and local data in the official “Government” line | Separate “Government” category based on public employee data |
| Frequency | Monthly (subject to shutdown delays) | Monthly and real-time updates |
| Primary use | Official policymaking and economic reporting | Supplemental, high-frequency analysis during data gaps |
While RPLS is not a government data source, it can complement the BLS report by offering real-time labor market signals. This is especially useful during shutdowns or when policymakers and public systems need rapid insight into workforce dynamics.
Why It Matters for TEXPERS Members
For municipal and public employee pension systems, employment trends are key indicators of fiscal health. Payroll growth has a direct impact on pension contributions, actuarial assumptions, and long-term funding stability. A stagnant or declining Government employment line — as seen in the September RPLS report — may indicate slower payroll expansion across local governments, potentially tightening contribution flows.
TEXPERS members can use alternative labor data like RPLS alongside traditional BLS releases to monitor job growth, sectoral shifts, and economic capacity at both state and municipal levels. Combining both datasets helps ensure trustees and administrators remain informed even when official data are delayed.
Read More
- Revelio Labs: Public Labor Statistics Portal
- Revelio Press Release: U.S. Economy Added 60,000 Jobs in September
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment Situation
About the Author: Allen Jones is the director of communications and event marketing for TEXPERS. He joined the Association in 2017. Before TEXPERS, he worked in the news media industry, producing content for newspapers, magazines, and online publications and leading newsrooms as an editor and publications manager. [email protected]
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Editor’s Note: This article was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to support research and formatting. Final content decisions, including writing, editing, fact-checking, and publication, were completed by TEXPERS staff.