TED: The Economics Daily

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 3.5 percent from September 2024 to September 2025. Wages and salaries increased 3.6 percent over the year and benefits costs increased 3.5 percent. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries increased 0.6 percent over the year. A year prior, from September 2023 to September 2024, compensation costs rose 3.6 percent as wages and salaries increased 3.8 percent and benefit costs were up 3.3 percent.

The rate and number of job openings were unchanged at 4.6 percent and 7.7 million, respectively, in October 2025. The job openings rate was also 4.6 percent in October 2024. Since January 2024, the total nonfarm job openings rate has ranged from 4.3 percent to 5.1 percent.

Whether it’s finding gifts for the kids, recommending wine and cheese for a party, or arranging a dream vacation, sales workers go the extra mile at this time of year to help make our holidays special. Salesperson Day, the second Friday in December, gives us an opportunity to recognize them in return.

In July 2024, 7.4 million employed people ages 16 to 75 had at least one work-limiting health condition or difficulty, accounting for 4.6 percent of all employed people in this age group. The most common work-limiting health condition or difficulty among workers was mobility impairment (1.8 percent).