Agricultural Labor Survey (FLS)
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1 Expired ICR
Summary
For decades, NASS conducted the Agricultural (Farm) Labor Survey (FLS) to measure farm wages nationally. The FLS provides the basis for employment and wage estimates for all workers directly hired by U.S. farms and ranches (excluding Alaska) for each of four quarterly reference weeks.
| Agency | USDA, NASS |
|---|---|
| Data Checkup |
Historical Data Availability
No Known Issue
ESMIS archive holds every report from 1930 through May 2025.
Future Data Availability
Gone
In August 2025, the National Agricultural Statistics Service discontinued the Agricultural Labor Survey.
Data Quality
Gone
In August 2025, the National Agricultural Statistics Service discontinued the Agricultural Labor Survey.
Statutory Context
High Risk
Statutory authorization is vague. USDA stated that no statute requires it to conduct the Farm Labor Survey. The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 requires parity price calculations, but not this survey, and USDA is replacing the survey’s wage index with OEWS data. The H-2A wage rate that used FLS data is a Department of Labor regulation, and OEWS is an available substitute.
Staffing and Funding
Gone
In August 2025, the National Agricultural Statistics Service discontinued the Agricultural Labor Survey.
Policy
Gone
In August 2025, the National Agricultural Statistics Service discontinued the Agricultural Labor Survey.
Last updated: 2026-10-14
Details
| OMB Control Number | 0535-0109 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Authorizing Statutes | 8 USC 1188, 7 USC 1301, 7 USC 2204, 7 USC 2276, 18 USC 1905, Pub.L. 107 - 347 503(a) | |||
| Related ICRs |
| Reference Number | Title | Agency | Status | Request Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202406-0535-002 | Expired Agricultural Labor | USDA/NASS | Historical Active | Revision of a currently approved collection |