Employer Costs for Employee Compensation Summary

For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Friday, June 12, 2026					    USDL-26-0827

Technical information:	(202) 691-6199  *  ncsinfo@bls.gov  *  www.bls.gov/ecec
Media contact:		(202) 691-5902  *  pressoffice@bls.gov


                       EMPLOYER COSTS FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION - MARCH 2026

Employer costs for employee compensation for civilian workers averaged $49.32 per hour worked in 
March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries averaged $33.72, 
while benefit costs averaged $15.60. (See tables 1 and 2.)

Total employer compensation costs for private industry workers averaged $46.60 per hour worked in 
March 2026. Wages and salaries averaged $32.60 per hour worked and accounted for 69.9 percent of 
employer costs, while benefit costs averaged $14.01 per hour worked and accounted for the remaining 30.1 
percent. Total employer compensation costs for private industry workers were $18.06 at the 10th wage 
percentile, $34.78 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $89.70 at the 90th wage percentile. (See 
tables A, 1, and 4.)

Total employer compensation costs for state and local government workers averaged $66.41 per hour 
worked in March 2026. Wages and salaries averaged $40.82 per hour worked and accounted for 61.5 percent 
of employer costs, while benefit costs averaged $25.59 per hour worked and accounted for the remaining 
38.5 percent. Total employer compensation costs for state and local government workers were $27.86 at 
the 10th wage percentile, $62.34 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $111.96 at the 90th wage 
percentile. (See tables A, 1, and 3.)

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Area Definition Changes

Area definitions have been updated with this release based on Office of Management and Budget 
Bulletin No. 23-01, dated July 21, 2023. For more information, see 
www.bls.gov/ecec/factsheets/ecec-metro-areas-factsheet.htm.
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In March 2026, employer costs for wages and salaries of private industry workers were $14.88 at 
the 10th wage percentile, $24.15 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $60.39 at the 90th wage 
percentile. Employer costs for benefits were $3.18 at the 10th wage percentile, $10.63 at the 50th 
(median) wage percentile, and $29.31 at the 90th wage percentile. (See table A.) 

In the private industry, employer costs for paid leave were $0.48 at the 10th wage percentile, $2.24 at 
the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $8.04 at the 90th wage percentile. Employer costs for insurance 
were $0.72 at the 10th wage percentile, $3.51 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $6.77 at the 
90th wage percentile. Employer costs for legally required benefits were $1.57 at the 10th wage 
percentile, $2.75 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $6.16 at the 90th wage percentile. (See 
table A.) 

For more information on average compensation costs within specified wage percentiles, 
see www.bls.gov/ecec/factsheets/compensation-percentile-estimates.htm.

Employer Costs for Employee Compensation for June 2026 is scheduled to be released on 
Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

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Removing Workers’ Compensation Costs

Beginning with the publication of Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC) data for December 
2026, the ECEC will remove workers’ compensation costs. For more information, see 
www.bls.gov/ecec/notices/2026/removing-workers-compensation-costs.htm.
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