Unit labor costs in the US nonfarm business sector declined by 1.9% in Q3 2025, in line with preliminary estimates, and extending the downward trend after a 2.9% drop in the previous quarter. The decline came as productivity rose 4.9%, outpacing a 2.9% increase in hourly compensation. In the manufacturing sector, unit labor costs rose 1.1%, reflecting a 3.7% rise in hourly compensation and a 3% improvement in productivity. On an annual basis, nonfarm unit labor costs rose 1.3%, while manufacturing unit labor costs were up 1.2%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Unit Labour Costs QoQ in the United States decreased by 1.90 percent in the third quarter of 2025 from -2.90 percent in the second quarter of 2025. Unit Labour Costs QoQ in the United States averaged 2.82 percent from 1947 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 27.30 percent in the third quarter of 1947 and a record low of -14.30 percent in the first quarter of 2009. This page includes a chart with historical data for the United States Unit Labor Costs QoQ. United States Nonfarm Unit Labor Costs QoQ - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.