• RAW DATA
  • ANALYSIS
  • REPORTING
  • HUMAN

How to query historical BLS timeseries with your AI

Connect the BLS JOLTS MCP to your agent to pull precise labor market data using Series IDs.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How do I get historical BLS data using my AI?

Give your agent a specific BLS Series ID and ask it to run a query. The agent uses the query_bls tool to fetch the exact data points you need. You'll get raw historical values for job openings, quits, or turnover rates.

Data outcomes

What your agent produces

The specific results your agent delivers after a query.

RAW DATA

Specific data points

The agent pulls the exact numerical values for the Series ID you provided. You get the raw numbers without manual searching.

ANALYSIS

Trend identification

Your agent compares multiple historical points to spot shifts in labor turnover or openings. It handles the math for you.

REPORTING

Formatted summaries

The agent turns the retrieved time series into a clean list or a structured summary. This makes the data ready for your notes.

HUMAN

Final verification

You check the Series ID and the resulting values to ensure they match your specific research requirements.

The workflow

What your AI does when the Series ID arrives.

The agent handles the technical retrieval so you don't have to navigate the BLS website.

  1. Identify the ID

    Your agent parses your request to find the specific BLS Series ID you want to investigate.

    query_bls

  2. Fetch the series

    The agent calls the BLS API to pull the historical time series for that specific identifier.

    query_bls

  3. Process values

    The AI organizes the returned data points into a readable format based on your instructions.

    query_bls

  4. Deliver results

    The agent presents the final numbers or trends directly in your chat interface.

    query_bls

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the data retrieval.

Starting points

Swap out the Series ID in these examples with the actual ID you need to research.

Bureau of Labor Statistics Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_p9aCriiCVloch1kVCbTU7bVVnmbIUauUQkHL022Z/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — Bureau of Labor Statistics capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bls-jolts-job-openings-quits-turnover-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_p9aCriiCVloch1kVCbTU7bVVnmbIUauUQkHL022Z/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Query the historical data for Series ID [INSERT_ID_HERE].

  • Get the last 12 months of data for Series ID [INSERT_ID_HERE].

  • Compare the values for Series ID [INSERT_ID_HERE] against the previous year.

  • Summarize the trend for Series ID [INSERT_ID_HERE] over the last quarter.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect BLS JOLTS once, then ask.

One click connects this MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted and your data stays private.

Connect BLS JOLTS to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can my AI download the data as a CSV file?

    No. The agent retrieves the data points through the tool and presents them in your chat. You must copy the data if you need it in a spreadsheet.

  • 02

    Do I need to find the Series ID myself?

    Yes. You need to provide the specific BLS Series ID for the agent to know which data to pull.

  • 03

    Can the AI change the data in the BLS database?

    No. The tool only reads historical data. It cannot modify or delete any records on the BLS website.

  • 04

    Can the AI pull data for any BLS series?

    Yes, as long as the Series ID is valid and available through the BLS JOLTS dataset.

  • 05

    Will the AI automatically update my spreadsheets?

    No. The agent provides the data to you in the chat. It does not have permission to write to your local files or external sheets.

  • More questions about BLS JOLTS? The Connector page answers them. See everything the BLS JOLTS Connector can do

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