Nonfarm Payroll

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Nonfarm Payroll'

A statistic researched, recorded and reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics intended to represent the total number of paid U.S. workers of any business, excluding the following employees:

- general government employees
- private household employees
- employees of nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to individuals 
- farm employees

This monthly report also includes estimates on the average work week and the average weekly earnings of all non-farm employees.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Nonfarm Payroll'

The total nonfarm payroll accounts for approximately 80% of the workers who produce the entire gross domestic product of the United States. The nonfarm payroll statistic is reported monthly, on the first Friday of the month, and is used to assist government policy makers and economists determine the current state of the economy and predict future levels of economic activity.

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