March 2010 Employment Cost Index

Historical release narrative reproduced from the official public-domain source. Statistical tables, standard technical appendices, administrative material and attendance rosters are omitted; formatting is adapted for reading. Figures retain the release's historical context and may have been revised. Consult the linked source for the complete document.

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending March 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries (which make up about 70 percent of compensation costs) increased 0.4 percent while benefits (which make up the remaining 30 percent of compensation)--increased 1.1 percent.

Civilian Worker Data

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1.7 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2010. This was smaller than the 2.1 percent increase for the 12-month period ending in March 2009. Wages and salaries increased 1.5 percent for the current 12-month period, slowing from a 2.2 percent increase for the 12-month period ending in March 2009. Benefit costs rose 2.2 percent, compared with a 2.0 percent increase for the 12-month period ending March 2009.

Private Industry Worker Data

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 1.6 percent, compared to 1.9 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2009. The wage and salary series increased 1.5 percent for the current 12-month period, compared to 2.0 percent for the period ending March 2009. The cost of benefits increased 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2010 primarily due to increases in the cost of health benefits and defined benefit retirement plans. In March 2009, benefits increased 1.6 percent. Employer costs for health benefits increased 4.5 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2010. In March 2009, the 12-month percent change was 4.6 percent.

Among occupational groups, compensation cost increases for private industry workers for the 12-month period ending March 2010 ranged from 1.3 percent for management, professional, and related occupations to 2.1 percent for natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations.

Among industries, compensation cost increases for private industry workers for the current 12-month period ranged from 1.0 percent for professional and business services to 2.8 percent for financial activities.

State and Local Government Workers

Compensation costs for State and local government workers increased 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending March 2010. Prior published values ranged from 2.3 to 9.6 percent since the series began in June 1982. Wages and salaries increased 1.8 percent. Prior published values ranged from 1.9 to 8.5 percent since the series began, also in June 1982. Benefit costs increased 2.7 percent. Prior published values ranged from 1.2 to 8.3 percent since the series began in June 1990.

This release incorporates annual revisions in seasonally adjusted Employment Cost Index (ECI) data for total compensation, wages and salaries, and benefit costs. Seasonally adjusted data for 2005-2009 were revised to reflect updated seasonal factors.

BLS news releases, including the ECI, are available through an e-mail subscription service at: www.bls.gov/bls/list.htm.

Category 3-month, seasonally adjusted 12-month, not seasonally adjusted Dec. 2009 Mar. 2010 Mar. 2009 Jun. 2009 Sep. 2009 Dec. 2009 Mar. 2010 CIVILIAN WORKERS1 Compensation2 0.4 0.6 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.7 Wages and salaries 0.5 0.4 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.5 Benefits 0.5 1.1 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 2.2

PRIVATE INDUSTRY Compensation2 0.4 0.6 1.9 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.6 Wages and salaries 0.5 0.4 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.5 Benefits 0.3 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.1 1.0 2.0

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Compensation2 0.5 0.4 3.1 3.2 2.4 2.4 2.0 Wages and salaries 0.5 0.4 3.0 3.0 2.1 2.0 1.8 Benefits 0.9 0.3 3.4 3.6 3.2 3.2 2.7