Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)

QCEW is a federal-state cooperative program that collects employment and wage information for workers covered by State unemployment insurance (UI) laws and for Federal workers covered by the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) program. Data includes wage, employment, address and coding information for individual establishments. This data is used for evaluating labor trends and major industry developments and is also used in time series analyses, industry comparisons, and special studies such as analyses of wages by size of establishment.

Interactive Data

Tables

  • Employment and Wages by Industry Sector, Monthly 2000–2011 (Excel)
  • Employment and Wages by 6-digit Industry, Annual 2000–2011 (Excel)
  • Private Employers by Size and Industry, March 2007–2011 (Excel)
  • Private Employment by Size and Industry, March 2007–2011 (Excel)

Maps

  • Maine Labor Market Areas (PDF) (HTML)
  • Interactive State and County Map Application -- Bureau of Labor Statistics application displays geographic economic data through maps, charts, and tables, allowing users to explore employment and wage data of private industry at the National, State, and county level (HTML)

Survey Reporting

Links

FAQs

  • What is a labor market area and how are they defined?

    • A Labor Market Area (LMA) consists of an economic center and the associated towns in the area. Labor Market areas are defined every 10 years based on commuting patterns. The current Labor Market Area definitions were effective 1/1/2005 and based on the 2000 census.

  • Why is the level of employment different when comparing the estimated labor force data with the covered employment data?

    • The estimated labor force data is residence-based information while the covered employment data is establishment-based information.

  • What is covered employment?

    • Covered employment refers to those employers who fall under the coverage of the state and federal unemployment insurance programs and pay unemployment taxes on their workers. The main activities NOT included in Covered employment are self-employment, railroads, and small agricultural activities.

  • I didn't receive the Multiple Worksite Report (MWR). What should I do?

    • Contact the Maine Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program manager at (207) 623-7900.

  • Why do I need to complete the Industry Verification Survey?

    • The accurate assignment of industrial and geographic codes from the data you supply on this form will ensure the quality of the employment data summaries that we prepare. These summaries can be used in economic development planning, wage analyses and economic research. They are used to project emerging industries and occupations, information that is of great interest to workers, employers, guidance counselors in local schools, employment and job training organizations, and others. The Maine Department of Labor also uses the information you provide for program planning and statistical studies, and for informing public policy on investments in industry and workforce development. Your cooperation is critical to the decisions made in all of these areas.

  • Why should I participate in your surveys?

    • Your information is extremely important for the economic development of an area, county, state, and our nation. Measuring the economy through the accurate data collection, dissemination, analysis and production of employer information is our area of expertise. Surveys that we conduct are key to ensuring we are keeping current with the economic development issues. The information we collect will: enable you to accurately compare business growth in your industry with other parts of the state; show the availability of trained workers qualified to work in your industry; ensure the quality of wage and employment data for your industry.

[More FAQS...]

Contact Information

Maine Department of Labor
Center for Workforce Research & Information
118 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333-0118

Betty Dawson
Phone: (207) 621-5195
TTY (for Deaf and Hard of Hearing): 1-800-794-1110
Fax: (207) 287-2947
Email: betty.l.dawson@maine.gov