The U.S. Census Bureau has released the main data set from the 2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES), marking the first time a comprehensive annual overview of U.S. employer businesses is available in a single source.
The AIES offers economic statistics such as revenue, expenses, payroll, and employment figures for detailed geographic levels. Previously, much of this information was only reported at the national scale for many sectors. The newly published data include national, regional, and divisional estimates, with state-level details available for some industries.
“This release of data represents a significant step forward in the Census Bureau’s efforts to adapt to our ever-changing economy and transform our business statistics,” said Lisa Donaldson, assistant director for Economic Programs. “By combining breadth of coverage with new geographic detail, the AIES provides insights that will shape decisions across the public and private sectors.”
This release replaces preliminary data issued in July 2025 and features final sample statistics from each of the four census regions. The results highlight key industries:
– Automobile dealers generated about $278.2 billion in revenue and employed around 281,789 workers.
– Drugs and druggists’ sundries merchant wholesalers reported approximately $298.6 billion in sales.
– Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing firms employed an estimated 78,565 people with an annual payroll near $8.8 billion.
– Hospitals earned roughly $300.6 billion in revenue while employing about 1,337,057 individuals.
– Grocery stores brought in an estimated $337.5 billion in revenue with an annual payroll totaling $32.1 billion.
– Electric power generation, transmission and distribution companies employed about 202,720 workers with a total payroll of approximately $24.4 billion.
– Telecommunications businesses recorded revenues near $155.9 billion alongside an annual payroll of roughly $19.6 billion.
– Data processing, hosting, and related services employed close to 258,344 workers with a combined payroll reaching $30.4 billion.
The survey covers domestic private sector nonfarm employer businesses that operated during part or all of 2023 within any U.S. state or Washington D.C., had paid employees, and were classified under one of nineteen sectors defined by the 2017 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Approximately 385,000 businesses were sampled based on industry type and location.
Data estimates are not adjusted for inflation or price changes; they may be affected by sampling variability or other sources of error according to Census Bureau methodology guidelines.
The Census Bureau reviewed these products to ensure proper use and protection of confidential source data.
More background on how this new survey helps deliver timely economic insights can be found on their blog titled “A More Timely, Comprehensive Look at the Economy: First Main Release of the Annual Integrated Economic Survey.”
For further technical details regarding coverage criteria or confidentiality protections see: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/aies/technical-documentation/methodology.html
