Skip to agency navigation
Skip to main content

Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    The .gov means its official.

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Employment by Size Code

    Employment by Size Code data uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data to classify establishments by the total number of employees reported in the third month of the reference quarter.

    Industry Changes to QCEW Data

    Beginning with 1st quarter 2022 data, the QCEW program now uses the 2022 version of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as the basis for publication of economic data by industry. For information on the use of the 2022 version of NAICS in QCEW, as well as information on what changed, please see the following:

    www.bls.gov/cew/classifications/industry/naics-2022.htmOpens In A New Window

    data.bls.gov/cew/apps/bls_naics/NAICS2022_graphics_PDF.pdfOpens In A New Window

    Non-economic changes to employer industry classification are incorporated in the QCEW between fourth and first quarter. Significant non-economic changes, including those resulting from NAICS classification revisions, can cause establishments, employment and/or wages to spike up or down and should not be interpreted as economic growth/decline.

    Employment by Size Code Information

    Employment by Size Code data uses Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data to classify establishments by the total number of employees reported in the third month of the reference quarter.

    The size code classifications refer to the total number of employees in an establishment. For example, all establishments with two employees are counted in the "1-4" size code classification.

    An establishment count is a count of employer units (places of work), not a count of employers. Thus, an employer may consist of one establishment or multiple establishments.

    Employment by Size Code data shows how many establishments exist within each size code ("Quarterly Units"), as well as the average employment for all establishments within the size code, and the total employment within the size code

    These statewide and county lists are compiled quarterly. The initial data, which is subject to revision, is available seven months after the end of the reference quarter. For example, fourth quarter initial data is available in July. (Due to confidentiality laws, we do not provide employment for individual employers.)

    Current Employment by Size Code data are available for all counties and statewide.

    Historic Employment by Size Code data are available at the statewide level for Total Industries and Industry Sectors.

    If you require Accessible versions of documents on this site and no alternate versions are available, 
    please call 1-877-493-3282 or send a request to workforceinfo@pa.gov.