Monthly CPS data are not currently being released amidst the U.S. federal government shut down. Once the September 2025 monthly data are available, we will process and release them as quickly as possible via IPUMS.
CWSEPREF
Prefer working for someone else over self-employment
- Codes
- Description
- Comparability
- Universe
- Availability
- Flags
- Questionnaire Text
- UnHarmonized Variables
Codes
This variable is not available for any of the currently selected samples.
Description
CWSEPREF indicates whether self-employed persons and independent contractors (see CWSEEMP and CWCONTRACTIC) prefer self-employment or working for someone else.
This variable is part of the Contingent Work Supplement.
Universe
- 1995-1999: Civilians age 16+ who were either self-employed or working as an independent contractor, independent consultant, or free-lance worker in the past week.
- 2001-2005: Civilians in month-in-sample 1-3 or 5-7 age 16+ who were either self-employed or working as an independent contractor, independent consultant, or free-lance worker in the past week.
- 2017: Civilians age 16+ who were either self-employed or working as an independent contractor, independent consultant, or free-lance worker in the past week.
Availability
| Years | Jan | Feb | ASEC | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1997 | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1999 | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2001 | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2005 | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2017 | - | - | - | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
