Key Facts
• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is hiring 25 part-time CPI price collectors.
• Positions are listed on the government job site USA Jobs, with deadlines varying by location.
• Locations include major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago.
• Hourly wages range from $21.54 to $25.39, depending on the location.
• Spanish language skills are required for positions in Dallas and Tampa, Florida.
• BLS staff has decreased by 20% since the Trump administration, increasing reliance on estimation methods.
• In June, BLS halted price collection in three metro areas due to resource shortages.
• By July, approximately 15% of samples in other regions were also suspended.
• Inflation Insights President Omair Sharif noted filling these roles could reduce CPI estimation errors.
• Two job postings are in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah, but their purpose is unclear.
• Some job postings close as early as September 15, while others end later this week.
Summary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is addressing staffing shortages by hiring 25 part-time price collectors to support the Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculation. These roles, critical for gathering local business pricing data, are available in major U.S. cities with wages ranging from $21.54 to $25.39 per hour. Spanish proficiency is required for certain locations. BLS has faced a 20% staff reduction since the Trump administration, leading to increased reliance on estimation methods. Recent resource constraints caused the suspension of price collection in some areas, though the impact on CPI data remains unclear. Experts suggest filling these positions could significantly improve CPI accuracy. Applications are open on USA Jobs, with deadlines varying by location.
