U.S. employment cost index higher than expected

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, for

the 3-month period ending in March 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 

today. Wages and salaries increased 0.9 percent and benefit costs increased 0.4 percent

from December 2019. 

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 2.8 percent for the 12-month period 

ending in March 2020, and also increased 2.8 percent in March 2019. Wages and salaries 

increased 3.1 percent over the year and increased 2.9 percent for the 12-month period 

ending in March 2019. Benefit costs increased 2.1 percent for the 12-month period 

ending in March 2020. In March 2019, the increase was 2.6 percent. 

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.8 percent over the year. 

In March 2019, the increase was also 2.8 percent. Wages and salaries increased 3.3 

percent for the 12-month period ending in March 2020 and increased 3.0 percent in March

2019. The cost of benefits rose 1.6 percent for the 12-month period ending in March 

2020 and increased 2.4 percent in March 2019. 

Employer costs for health benefits increased 1.5 percent for the 12-month period ending

in March 2020.