The U.S. Census Bureau is hiring for several different positions to help complete the 2026 Census Test, including census takers, census field supervisors, outreach assistants, census trainers, clerks, and office operations supervisors. The largest number of openings are for census takers. You can apply for all of these temporary jobs with just one application.

Most positions are anticipated to last several weeks, but employment may end at any time. Hours worked may be reduced if there is a lack of available work in your assigned area.

Positions are in the 2026 Census Test site areas which include parts of Alabama, Tribal Lands within Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Please see our Job Opportunities page for more information.

Your work schedule will depend on your position. Generally, hours for census takers, outreach assistants, and census field supervisors are flexible. Most field positions require you to interview members of the public, so you must be available to work when people are usually home, which includes evenings and weekends. Supervisory positions require employees to be available for certain day, evening, and/or weekend shifts.

Hours for census trainer positions vary depending on the availability of work. Most administrative work is done during regular business hours, but these employees may be required to work in the evenings and on weekends.

Yes, you may be asked to work weekends. Census takers, outreach assistants and census field supervisor positions require interviewing members of the public, so employees must be available to work when people are usually at home, which includes evenings and weekends. Supervisors, census trainers and clerical employees could also be required to work some weekend hours, depending on work needs.

For detailed information on specific pay rates, please visit our Job Opportunities page. Jobs for the 2026 Census Test offer competitive wages, which are paid weekly. In addition, employees doing field work are reimbursed for authorized work-related expenses such as mileage.

You will be paid for the training you receive after you are sworn in as a Census Bureau employee. Prior to being sworn in, applicants who are selected and pass the background check must complete pre-employment online training about the protection of census data. This training is not paid.

Temporary 2026 Census Test employees are paid weekly through direct deposit or a paycheck in the mail. You can expect to receive your first paycheck 10 to 14 days after your first day of work, and you will receive subsequent paychecks every 7 days.

Yes. Employees will be reimbursed for authorized work expenses, such as mileage or public transportation fees, incurred while conducting census field work.

Positions for the 2026 Census Test are temporary. However, you can visit the Community Jobs page, Census Careers page or USA Jobs site to search for other temporary and permanent positions with the U.S. Census Bureau.

The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need assistance applying or responding to a communication about a job, please call us at 833-893-2026.

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Applicants who are multilingual are encouraged to apply. However, you must be able to speak, read, and write in English.

No. Noncitizens will not be hired to work on the 2026 Census Test.

If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans' preference. With veterans' preference, you may receive preference over nonveteran applicants in the hiring process.

When claiming veterans' preference, you must provide a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other acceptable documentation. Applicants claiming 10-point preference will need to submit an SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and related supporting documentation. You can find the SF-15 below:

For more information, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Veterans' Preference page.

There is no cap on the age for employment. However, you must be at least 18 years or older to be hired for all positions.

No. Income from 2026 Census Test jobs may impact your benefits or eligibility status.