How to Calculate the Employment Rate

Learning how to calculate the employment rate for your city, county, state, or country is very simple once you have gathered all the information. Being aware of your area's employment rate is important for job seekers due to the economy in its current state.

Supplies:

• Internet access


• Calculator


• Pen & paper

1. Access the Bureau of Labor Statistics by performing an Internet search and research the number of employed people in your city, county, state or country (depending on what you are looking for). Record this number.


2. Research and record the total labor force, which can also be found online at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total labor force includes all people above the age of 16, but does not include people who are retired or institutionalized.


3. Calculate the employment rate by dividing the number of employed people by the total labor force. Your result will be in decimal form, so multiply it by 100 to get the percentage form. This will give you the employment rate. For example, the number of employed people in your state is 4,600,000. The total labor force for your state is 4,800,000 people. 4,600,000 / 4,800,000 = 0.9583333 x 100 = 95.83 percent.


4. Determine the unemployment rate by either subtracting the employment rate from 100, or dividing the number of unemployed people by the total labor force, and multiplying by 100. For example, you know the employment rate is 95.83 percent, so 100 - 95.83 = 4.17 percent.