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Handbook of Methods Employment Cost Index Overview

Employment Cost Index: Overview

The Employment Cost Index (ECI) measures the change in the hourly labor cost to employers over time. The ECI uses a fixed “basket” of labor to produce a pure cost change, free from the effects of workers moving between occupations and industries, and includes both the cost of wages and salaries and the cost of benefits. These data are collected through the National Compensation Survey (NCS) and provide information about compensation costs over time.

Quick Facts: Employment Cost Index
Subject areas Benefits, Pay
Key measures
  • Indexes
  • 3-month and 12-month percent changes
  • Seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted
  • Current and constant dollar
How the data are obtained Government agencies, Survey of businesses
Classification system

Standard Occupational Classification System (SOC)

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) area definitions
Periodicity of data availability Quarterly
Geographic detail Census region, Metro area, National
Scope Private sector, State and local government
Reference Period

Pay period that includes the 12th of March, June, September, and December
Key products

Employment Cost Index news release
Program webpage

www.bls.gov/eci
Last Modified Date: September 30, 2025