Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States rose by 0.9% in the first quarter of 2026, after a 0.7% increase in the previous period, slightly above forecasts of a 0.8% rise. Wages and salaries increased 0.8% (vs 0.7% in Q4 2025) and benefits rose at a faster pace of 1.2% (vs 0.8%), the highest level in five months. Compensation costs for private industry workers grew 0.9%, from 0.7% in Q4 2025, and for state and local government workers grew 1%, from 0.8% in the previous quarter. On an annual basis, employment cost growth remained unchanged from the last period at 3.4%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employment Cost Index in the United States increased to 0.90 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 0.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Employment Cost Index in the United States averaged 0.84 percent from 1982 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 2.00 percent in the third quarter of 1982 and a record low of 0.20 percent in the second quarter of 2015. This page provides - United States Employment Cost Index- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United States Employment Cost Index QoQ - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Employment Cost Index in the United States increased to 0.90 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 0.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Employment Cost Index in the United States is expected to be 0.40 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Employment Cost Index QoQ is projected to trend around 0.50 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-10 01:30 PM
Employment Cost Index QoQ
Q4 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.7%
2026-04-30 12:30 PM
Employment Cost Index QoQ
Q1 0.9% 0.7% 0.8% 0.5%
2026-07-31 12:30 PM
Employment Cost Index QoQ
Q2 0.9% 0.4%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Employment Cost - Benefits 1.20 0.80 percent Mar 2026
Employment Cost - Wages 0.80 0.70 percent Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.20 0.40 percent Mar 2026
Average Weekly Hours 34.20 34.30 Hours Mar 2026
Employed Persons 162848.00 162912.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Cost Index 0.90 0.70 percent Mar 2026
Employment Rate 59.20 59.30 percent Mar 2026
Full Time Employment 134676.00 134341.00 Thousand Mar 2026
JOLTs Job Openings 6866.00 6922.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Participation Rate 61.90 62.00 percent Mar 2026
Labour Costs 122.55 121.72 points Dec 2025
Non Farm Payrolls 178.00 -133.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Productivity 119.64 118.81 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 7239.00 7571.00 Thousand Mar 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.30 4.40 percent Mar 2026
Wages 32.07 32.02 USD/Hour Mar 2026


United States Employment Cost Index QoQ
The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is a measure of the change in the cost of labor, independent of the influence of employment shifts among occupations and industry categories. The total compensation series includes changes in wages and salaries and in employer costs for employee benefits. The ECI calculates indexes of total compensation, wages and salaries, and benefits separately for all civilian workers in the United States, for private industry workers, and for workers in state and local government.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
0.90 0.70 2.00 0.20 1982 - 2026 percent Quarterly
SA

News Stream
US Employment Costs Slightly Above Forecasts
Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States rose by 0.9% in the first quarter of 2026, after a 0.7% increase in the previous period, slightly above forecasts of a 0.8% rise. Wages and salaries increased 0.8% (vs 0.7% in Q4 2025) and benefits rose at a faster pace of 1.2% (vs 0.8%), the highest level in five months. Compensation costs for private industry workers grew 0.9%, from 0.7% in Q4 2025, and for state and local government workers grew 1%, from 0.8% in the previous quarter. On an annual basis, employment cost growth remained unchanged from the last period at 3.4%.
2026-04-30
US Employment Costs Rise Less than Expected
Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States went up by 0.7% in Q4 2025, the least since Q2 2021, after a 0.8% increase in the prior period, amid softer demand for labor. Figures came in slightly below market forecasts of a 0.8% rise. Wages and salaries increased 0.7% and benefit costs rose 0.7% from the September quarter of 2025. Compensation costs for private industry workers were up 0.7% (vs 0.8% in Q3), and those for state and local government workers advanced by 0.8% (vs 0.8%). Year-on-year, employment costs rose by 3.4%, after a 3.5% growth in Q3.
2026-02-10
US Employment Costs Rise Less than Expected
Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States increased 0.8% in Q3 2025, easing from a 0.9% rise in the previous period, slightly below market forecasts of 0.9%. Wages and salaries increased 0.8%, down from a 1% rise in Q1, while benefit costs increased 0.8%, up from 0.7% previously. Compensation costs for private industry workers rose by 0.8% (vs 1%), and those for state and local government workers advanced by 0.8% (vs 0.8%). Year-on-year, employment costs rose by 3.5%, after a 3.6% advance in Q2.
2025-12-10