March 2026 Employment Cost Index — 2026-04-30

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.9 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries increased 0.8 percent and benefit costs increased 1.2 percent from December 2025. (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 March 2026. Wages and salaries increased 3.4 percent and benefit costs increased 3.6 percent over the year. (See tables A, 4, 8, and 12.) Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 0.9 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in March 2026. Wages and salaries increased 0.7 percent and benefit costs increased 1.3 percent from December 2025. (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 March 2026.