between the Payroll survey and the Household survey. They are NOT measuring the same thing.
https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/ces_cps_trends.htm
National employment estimates from both the household and payroll surveys are published in the Employment Situation news release each month. The estimates differ because the surveys have distinct definitions of employment and distinct survey and estimation methods.
Comparison:
Employment concept
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Household Survey (CPS)-Estimate of employed people (multiple jobholders are counted only once). Includes people on unpaid leave from their jobs.
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Payroll Survey (CES)-Estimate of jobs (multiple jobholders are counted for each nonfarm payroll job). Includes only people who received pay for the reference pay period.
Employment inclusions and exclusions
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Household Survey (CPS)-Includes the unincorporated self-employed, unpaid family workers in family businesses, agriculture and related workers, workers in private households, and workers on unpaid leave. Excludes workers on furlough for the entire reference week, even if they receive pay for the furlough period (they are considered unemployed, on temporary layoff).
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Payroll Survey (CES)-Excludes all of the groups listed at left, except for the logging component of agriculture and related industries. Includes furloughed workers if they receive pay for any portion of the pay period that includes the furlough.