US Employment Costs Slightly Above Forecasts

2026-04-30 12:45 By Larissa Caser 1 min. read

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%.



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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%.
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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