September 2008 Employment Cost Index — 2008-10-31

Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.7 percent from June to September 2008, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today, the same as the increase for the last two quarters. Both components of compensation--wages and salaries and benefits--registered increases that were the same as the previous quarter. Wages and salaries rose 0.7 percent and benefits rose 0.6 percent. The Employment Cost Index (ECI), a product of the National Compensation Survey, measures quarterly changes in compensation costs for civilian workers (nonfarm private industry and state and local government workers). Table A. 3-month percent changes in the Employment Cost Index, seasonally adjusted Compensation Dec. Mar. June Sep. Dec. Mar. June Sep.