Employment Cost Index Summary

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                    USDL-25-1556
8:30 a.m. (ET) Wednesday, December 10, 2025 

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

                                  EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX – SEPTEMBER 2025

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month 
period ending in September 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries 
increased 0.8 percent and benefit costs increased 0.8 percent from June 2025. (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 3.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, for the 
12-month period ending in September 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.5 percent and benefit costs 
increased 3.5 percent over the year. (See tables A, 4, 8, and 12.) 

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 3.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, for the 
12-month period ending in September 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.6 percent and benefit costs 
increased 3.5 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries increased 
0.6 percent over the year. (See tables A, 5, 9, and 12.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 3.6 percent, not seasonally 
adjusted, for the 12-month period ending in September 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.5 percent 
and benefit costs increased 3.8 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and 
salaries increased 0.5 percent over the year. (See tables A, 7, 11, and 12.)

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            			       Federal Government Shutdown            

Publication of the September 2025 Employment Cost Index (ECI) was delayed by more than 5 weeks because 
of the lapse in federal appropriations. Collection of September data had not been completed prior to 
the federal government shutdown. After funding had been restored, any data self-reported by 
establishments during the shutdown were reviewed and included; however, survey response rates decreased 
in September. For more information on response rates, see 
www.bls.gov/eci/factsheets/response-rates-factsheet.htm.

The December 2025 ECI news release has been rescheduled and will be published on Tuesday, February 10, 
2026, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).

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