Employment Cost Index Summary

Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until                                   USDL-26-0184
8:30 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, February 10, 2026

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

                                 EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX – DECEMBER 2025

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month 
period ending in December 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries
increased 0.7 percent and benefit costs increased 0.7 percent from September 2025. 
(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 December 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.3 percent and benefit costs increased 3.4
percent over the year. (See tables A, 4, 8, and 12.) 

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 0.7 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 
3-month period ending in December 2025. Wages and salaries increased 0.7 percent and benefit costs 
increased 0.7 percent from September 2025. (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 December 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.3 percent and benefit costs 
increased 3.4 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries increased 
0.7 percent over the year. (See tables A, 5, 9, and 12.)

Within the private industry, compensation costs increased 4.0 percent for union workers and 3.3 percent 
for non-union workers for the 12-month period ending in December 2025. Wages and salaries increased 4.3 
percent for union workers and 3.3 percent for non-union workers over the year. Benefit costs increased
3.6 percent for union workers and 3.4 percent for non-union workers over the year. 
(See tables 6, 10, and 12.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for
the 3-month period ending in December 2025. Wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent and benefit costs 
increased 0.8 percent from September 2025. (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 3.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted,
for the 12-month period ending in December 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.3 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, 7, 11, and 12.)

The Employment Cost Index for March 2026 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, April 30, 2026, 
at 8:30 a.m. (ET).