Description
IND reports the sample person's primary industry, coded into a contemporary Standard Industrial Classification (from 1969 to 2003) and into the North American Industry Classification System (from 2004 and forward). Please see the Comparability and Universe tabs for more information on how this variable was constructed.
To increase comparability over time, the IPUMS NHIS provides IND1995, which applies a common industrial classification system over time. This recoded variable is also discussed at the "User Note on Occupation and Industry Variables".
Comparability
Several differences over time limit the comparability of this variable. First, industrial classifications in the NHIS are informed by different industrial schemes, which limit the comparability of this variable over time. Please see the User Note on Occupation and Industry Variables for more information on different industrial schemes that were used in the NHIS.
Second, the 2019 questionnaire redesign impacts comparability between earlier years and 2019 forward. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.
Finally, changes in the universe across years also limit the comparability of this variable.
From 1969 to 1996, the universe included sample persons aged 17 and older (1969-1981 samples) and sample persons aged 18 and older (1982-1996 samples) who were in the labor force in the past 2 weeks. According to the Interviewer's Manual, being in the labor force means that the person is currently working, is temporarily absent from a job, or is looking for work. From 1997 to 2003, the question was asked of sample persons aged 18 and older who were working at a paying job last week, were with a job/business but not at work, or were working at a non-paying job last week. The universe from 2004-2018 was similar to that of the 1997-2003 samples, except that people who have ever worked were also included in the universe. Beginning in 2020, the universe changed again. Similar to previous universes, it included sample adults who were working at a paying job or business last week, were with a job/business but not at work, or who had a non-paying job. In contrast to previous years, the universe now includes those who did not work for pay last week because they have a seasonal/contract job or business and those who did not work at a job or business last week but who had in the past 12 months. Users wishing to increase the comparability of IND should use WORKEV to exclude persons who have ever worked and are not currently employed and EMPLAST to exclude those who worked in the past year and are not currently employed in 2020 forward.
Universe
- 1969-1981: Persons age 17+ who were in the labor force (working, temporarily absent from a job, or looking for work) during the past 2 weeks.
- 1982-1996: Persons age 18+ who were in the labor force (working, temporarily absent from a job, or looking for work) during the past 2 weeks.
- 1997-2003: Sample adults aged 18+ who were working at a paying job last week, with a job or business but not at work, working at a non-paying job last week.
- 2004-2018: Sample adults aged 18+ who were working at a paying job last week, with a job or business but not at work, working at a non-paying job last week, or who had ever worked.
- 2020: Sample adults aged 18+ who were working at a paying job last week, with a job or business last week but not at work, working in a seasonal/contract position, or working at a non-paying job or business last week (EMPSTAT) OR who did not have a job or business last week but who had a job or business in the past 12 months (EMPLAST).
- 2021: Sample adults aged 18+ who were working at a paying job last week, with a job or business last week but not at work, working in a seasonal/contract position in the last 12 months, or working at a non-paying job or business last week (EMPSTAT) OR who did not have a job or business last week but who had a job or business in the past 12 months (EMPLAST).
Availability
- 1969-2018, 2020-2021
Weights
- 1969-1996 : PERWEIGHT
- 1997-2018, 2020-2021 : SAMPWEIGHT
