Employment Cost Index Summary

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                   USDL-26-1620
8:30 a.m. (ET) Friday, October 30, 2026

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

                                   EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX – SEPTEMBER 2026

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period
ending in September 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries increased
0.7 percent, and benefit costs increased 0.9 percent from June 2026. (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 3.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, for the 12-month
period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.1 percent, and benefit costs increased 
3.9 percent over the year. (See tables A, 4, 8, and 12.)   

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 
3-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent, and benefit costs 
increased 0.9 percent from June 2026. (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 3.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, for 
the 12-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.1 percent, and benefit 
costs increased 3.9 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries 
decreased 0.6 percent over the year. (See tables A, 5, 9, and 12.)

Within the private industry, compensation costs increased 4.3 percent for union workers and 3.3 percent
for nonunion workers for the 12-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 4.3
percent for union workers and 3.0 percent for nonunion workers over the year. Benefit costs increased
4.3 percent for union workers and 3.9 percent for nonunion workers over the year. 
(See tables 6, 10, and 12.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, for
the 3-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 0.6 percent, and benefit costs
increased 0.7 percent from June 2026. (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 3.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted,
for the 12-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.2 percent, and benefit 
costs increased 3.8 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries 
decreased 0.5 percent over the year. (See tables A, 7, 11, and 12.)

The Employment Cost Index news release for December 2026 is scheduled to be published on 
Friday, January 29, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).

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                                     Updated Fixed Employment Weights

Beginning with the publication of Employment Cost Index (ECI) data for December 2026, the ECI will 
introduce updated employment weights and remove workers’ compensation costs. For more information, 
see www.bls.gov/eci/notices/2026/eci-2025-fixed-weights-and-removing-workers-compensation.htm.
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