Employer Costs for Employee Compensation News Release - 2025 Q03 Results — 2026-02-24

Employer costs for private industry workers averaged $32.37 per hour worked for wages and salaries and $13.68 for benefits in September 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employer costs for state and local government workers averaged $40.24 per hour worked for wages and salaries and $25.04 for benefits. Publication of the September 2025 Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC) news release was delayed due to the lapse in federal appropriations. Collection of September data had not been completed prior to the federal government shutdown. After funding had been restored, any data self-reported by establishments during the shutdown were reviewed and included; however, survey response rates decreased in September. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation for December 2025 is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.