Employment Cost Index-March 2002 — 2002-04-25

The Employment Cost Index for total compensation increased 3.9 percent (civilian workers, not seasonally adjusted) for the year ended March 2002, the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The Employment Cost Index (ECI), a component of the National Compensation Survey, measures changes in compensation costs, which include wages, salaries, and employer costs for employee benefits. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the 3-month increase in compensation costs for civilian workers (nonfarm private industry plus State and local government) was 0.8 percent during the December 2001-March 2002 period, following a gain of 1.0 percent in September-December 2001. Wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent during the December 2001-March 2002 period, following a 0.9 percent increase during the previous 3-month period. Benefit costs rose 1.0 percent during the March quarter, following a 1.2 percent gain in the December quarter. Table A. 3-month percent changes in Employment Cost Index, seasonally adjusted June Sep. Dec. Mar. June Sep. Dec. Mar.