September 2026 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 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in September 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries increased 0.7 percent, and benefit costs increased 0.9 percent from June 2026. (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 September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.1 percent, and benefit costs increased 3.9 percent over the year. (See tables A, 4, 8, and 12.)

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent, and benefit costs increased 0.9 percent from June 2026. (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 September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.1 percent, and benefit costs increased 3.9 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries decreased 0.6 percent over the year. (See tables A, 5, 9, and 12.)

Within the private industry, compensation costs increased 4.3 percent for union workers and 3.3 percent for nonunion workers for the 12-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 4.3 percent for union workers and 3.0 percent for nonunion workers over the year. Benefit costs increased 4.3 percent for union workers and 3.9 percent for nonunion workers over the year. (See tables 6, 10, and 12.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 0.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 0.6 percent, and benefit costs increased 0.7 percent from June 2026. (See tables A, 1, 2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 3.5 percent, not seasonally adjusted, for the 12-month period ending in September 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.2 percent, and benefit costs increased 3.8 percent over the year. Inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) wages and salaries decreased 0.5 percent over the year. (See tables A, 7, 11, and 12.)

The Employment Cost Index news release for December 2026 is scheduled to be published on Friday, January 29, 2027, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).

Updated Fixed Employment Weights

Beginning with the publication of Employment Cost Index (ECI) data for December 2026, the ECI will introduce updated employment weights and remove workers’ compensation costs. For more information, see www.bls.gov/eci/notices/2026/eci-2025-fixed-weights-and-removing-workers-compensation.htm.