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Handbook of Methods National Compensation Measures Overview

National Compensation Measures: Overview

Note: The former National Compensation Survey (NCS) Handbook of Methods chapter has been divided into three new chapters: Employment Cost Index (ECI), Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC), and Employee Benefits (EBS). These chapters cover each survey in more detail and this archive is kept for reference.

The National Compensation Survey (NCS) is an establishment-based survey that provides comprehensive measures of (1) employer costs for employee compensation, including wages and salaries, and benefits, (2) compensation trends, and (3) the incidence of employer-sponsored benefits among workers. The NCS also collects data and produces estimates on the provisions of selected employer-sponsored benefit plans.

Quick Facts: National Compensation Measures
Subject areas Pay, Benefits
Key measures
  • Employment Cost Index (ECI)
  • Incidence and provision of employee benefits
  • Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC)
How the data are obtained Survey of businesses, Government agencies
Classification Occupation, Industry
Periodicity of data availability Quarterly, Annual
Geographic detail National, Census region
Scope State and local government, Private sector
Key products
Program webpage
Last Modified Date: December 15, 2017