Benchmarking generally refers to a process that adjusts estimates to better reflect a more complete count of data. In the case of statewide employment and unemployment estimates, the benchmark is Current Population Survey (CPS). Also, at the beginning of each year, historical monthly statewide employment, unemployment data are updated to reflect revised total non-agricultural jobs and unemployment insurance claims inputs, new population controls. Historical statewide data are also smoothed at this time to eliminate large, monthly changes due to volatility in the CPS. At the sub-state level, the benchmark process includes updated total non-agricultural jobs, unemployment insurance claims, as well as revised employment, unemployment controls to capture data for employed and unemployed not included in the Unemployment Insurance system.
