December 2008 Employment Cost Index — 2009-01-30

Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.5 percent from September to December 2008, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. This follows three consecutive quarterly increases of 0.7 percent. In the December quarter, wages and salaries rose 0.5 percent and benefits rose 0.4 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 Mar. June Sep. Dec. Mar. June Sep. Dec.