United States Employment Cost Index

Price

Price

0.9 %

Change +/-

+0 %

Percentage Change

+0.00 %

The current value of the Employment Cost Index in United States is 0.9 %. The Employment Cost Index in United States decreased to 0.9 % on 6/1/2026, after it was 0.9 % on 3/1/2026. From 6/1/1982 to 6/1/2026, the average GDP in United States was 0.85 %. The all-time high was reached on 9/1/1982 with 2.00 %, while the lowest value was recorded on 6/1/2015 with 0.20 %.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The current value of Employment Cost Index in United States is 0.9%. Employment Cost Index in United States decreased to 0.9% from 0.9%.Employment Cost Index in United States averaged 0.85% from 6/1/1982 until 6/1/2026.The all-time high was 2.00% (9/1/1982)and the record low was 0.20% (6/1/2015).

Employment Cost Index

Employment Cost Index

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Employment Cost Index
Date
Employment Cost Index
Sep 1, 2024
0.80 %
Dec 1, 2024
0.90 %
Mar 1, 2025
0.90 %
Jun 1, 2025
0.90 %
Sep 1, 2025
0.80 %
Dec 1, 2025
0.70 %
Mar 1, 2026
0.90 %
Jun 1, 2026
0.90 %
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Employment Cost Index History

Employment Cost Index — History
DateValue
0.9 %
0.9 %
0.7 %
0.8 %
0.9 %
0.9 %
0.9 %
0.8 %
0.9 %
1 %
...

Similar Macro Indicators to Employment Cost Index

ADP Employment Change

Monthly

Current
44,000
Previous
95,000

Announcements of Hiring Plans

Monthly

Current
16,095 Persons
Previous
10,933 Persons

Average Hourly Earnings

Monthly

Current
0.1 %
Previous
0.3 %

Average Hourly Earnings YoY

Monthly

Current
3.2 %
Previous
3.4 %

Average Weekly Hours

Monthly

Current
34.3 Hours
Previous
34.3 Hours

Cancellation rate

Monthly

Current
2 %
Previous
2 %

Challenger Job Cuts

Monthly

Current
33,429 Persons
Previous
45,849 Persons

Continued Jobless Claims

frequency_weekly

Current
1.78 M
Previous
1.8 M

Employed persons

Monthly

Current
162.18 M
Previous
162.26 M

Employment Cost Index Benefits

Quarter

Current
1 %
Previous
1.2 %

Employment Cost Index Wages

Quarter

Current
0.9 %
Previous
0.8 %

Employment rate

Monthly

Current
58.9 %
Previous
59 %

Full-time employment

Monthly

Current
133.55 M
Previous
133.66 M

Initial Jobless Claims

frequency_weekly

Current
209,000
Previous
200,000

Job Opportunities

Monthly

Current
7.36 M
Previous
7.54 M

Job Opportunities

Monthly

Current
7.14 M
Previous
7.5 M

Job resignations

Monthly

Current
3.23 M
Previous
3.15 M

Labor costs

Quarter

Current
123.78 points
Previous
123.22 points

Labor force participation rate

Monthly

Current
61.4 %
Previous
61.5 %

Layoffs and Terminations

Monthly

Current
1.77 M
Previous
1.76 M

Long-term unemployment rate

Monthly

Current
1.05 %
Previous
1.14 %

Manufacturing wages

Monthly

Current
5,000
Previous
11,000

Minimum Wages

Annually

Current
7.25 USD/Hour
Previous
7.25 USD/Hour

Non-Agricultural Productivity QoQ

Quarter

Current
1.4 %
Previous
0.8 %

Non-farm Payrolls

Monthly

Current
-23,000
Previous
20,000

Nonfarm Private Employment

Monthly

Current
30,000
Previous
30,000

Part-time work

Monthly

Current
28.76 M
Previous
28.63 M

Population

Annually

Current
342.28 M
Previous
340.97 M

Productivity

Quarter

Current
120.02 points
Previous
119.59 points

Retirement Age Men

Annually

Current
67 Years
Previous
66.83 Years

Retirement Age Women

Annually

Current
67 Years
Previous
66.83 Years

State payroll accounting

Monthly

Current
-53,000
Previous
-10,000

U6 Unemployment Rate

Monthly

Current
7.9 %
Previous
7.9 %

Unemployed Persons

Monthly

Current
6.92 M
Previous
7.09 M

Unemployment Claims 4-Week Average

frequency_weekly

Current
199,000
Previous
199,000

Unemployment Rate

Monthly

Current
4.1 %
Previous
4.2 %

Unit Labor Costs QoQ

Quarter

Current
1.3 %
Previous
1.3 %

Wage Growth

Monthly

Current
4.25 %
Previous
3.99 %

Wages

Monthly

Current
32.4 USD/Hour
Previous
32.36 USD/Hour

Wages in Manufacturing

Monthly

Current
30.35 USD/Hour
Previous
30.32 USD/Hour

Youth Unemployment Rate

Monthly

Current
8.5 %
Previous
9.2 %

Employment Cost Index

The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is a metric that tracks the variation in labor costs, excluding the effects of employment shifts across different occupations and industry sectors. The comprehensive compensation series encompasses fluctuations in wages, salaries, and employer expenses for employee benefits. The ECI separately computes indexes of total compensation, wages and salaries, and benefits for all civilian workers in the United States, private industry employees, and state and local government workers.

What is Employment Cost Index?

The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is a critical economic indicator that is meticulously monitored by economists, policymakers, and business leaders worldwide. This index provides a comprehensive measure of the cost of labor and serves as a barometer for evaluating trends in employment costs. As a cornerstone category within macroeconomic analysis on our professional platform, Eulerpool, the Employment Cost Index offers invaluable insights that help shape economic forecasts, strategic decisions, and policy formulations. Understandably, the Employment Cost Index garners significant attention due to its profound implications for various facets of the economy. It is designed to gauge the changes in the costs of labor, reflecting compensation policies and employment conditions across different sectors. The index encompasses wages, salaries, and employer costs for employee benefits. By offering a holistic view of labor costs, the ECI becomes an indispensable tool in understanding inflationary pressures and the overall health of the labor market. The methodology behind the Employment Cost Index is robust and detailed. It is computed quarterly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and covers a broad spectrum of industries and occupations. The ECI is divided into two main components: wages and salaries, and benefits. This bifurcation allows for a granular analysis of labor costs, showing not only how much employees are being paid in terms of take-home pay but also the additional costs borne by employers in the form of benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans, and paid leave. This disaggregation is crucial for identifying specific drivers of employment cost changes. One of the significant advantages of the ECI is its ability to measure changes over time, free from seasonal variations and compositional shifts in employment. Unlike average hourly earnings or other wage metrics, the ECI remains unaffected by changes in the employment mix across different industries or occupations. This consistency makes it an ideal measure for tracking underlying wage and benefit trends. For instance, during periods of economic expansion, the ECI can help identify whether rising labor costs are due to higher wages or increased benefits costs, providing nuanced insights into inflationary dynamics. In the context of inflation, the ECI plays a pivotal role. Since wages and benefits constitute a substantial portion of business costs, significant changes in the Employment Cost Index can signal upcoming inflationary trends. When labor costs rise, businesses may pass these costs onto consumers in the form of higher prices, thereby fueling inflation. Consequently, the ECI is closely watched by central banks and policymakers. A rising ECI could lead to adjustments in monetary policy, such as interest rate hikes, to curb potential inflation. Conversely, a slowing ECI might indicate subdued wage growth and less inflationary pressure, possibly influencing decisions to maintain or lower interest rates to stimulate economic activity. The Employment Cost Index also provides critical insights for business strategists and financial analysts. Companies use ECI data to benchmark their compensation packages against industry standards, ensuring they remain competitive in attracting and retaining talent. Understanding trends in employment costs can help businesses anticipate and budget for changes in their labor expenses, aligning their strategic planning with macroeconomic conditions. For financial analysts, shifts in the ECI can influence stock valuations and investment decisions. Rising labor costs can affect corporate profitability, impacting stock prices and investor expectations. On a broader scale, the ECI's implications extend to economic equality and social policy. By analyzing changes in wages and benefits across different occupational groups and industries, the ECI can highlight disparities in compensation. This information is crucial for policymakers aiming to address wage inequality and enhance social safety nets. For example, if the ECI reveals that certain sectors or occupations are experiencing stagnant wage growth compared to others, targeted interventions can be designed to support these groups and promote more equitable economic outcomes. Furthermore, the Employment Cost Index informs the public debate on labor market policies. It provides empirical data that can underpin discussions on minimum wage legislation, labor rights, and employee benefits mandates. By grounding these debates in objective measures of employment costs, the ECI helps ensure that policy decisions are based on rigorous economic analysis rather than anecdotal evidence or political rhetoric. In light of its multifaceted significance, the Employment Cost Index is a cornerstone of macroeconomic analysis on Eulerpool. Our professional platform meticulously presents ECI data, offering users a clear and comprehensive view of labor cost trends. We prioritize accuracy and accessibility, ensuring that our users can seamlessly integrate this critical information into their economic assessments and strategic planning. By providing detailed analyses and visualizations, we strive to make the complex data underlying the ECI understandable and actionable for a wide audience. In conclusion, the Employment Cost Index is a vital economic indicator that encapsulates the evolving landscape of labor costs. Its relevance spans multiple domains, from informing monetary policy and business strategy to shaping public debates on labor market policies. At Eulerpool, we recognize the immense value of the ECI and are committed to delivering this data with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. By offering precise and detailed insights into employment costs, we empower our users to navigate the complexities of the macroeconomic environment with confidence and clarity.

Employment Cost Index United States — FAQ

What is the current Employment Cost Index in United States?

The current Employment Cost Index in United States is 0.9% as of 6/1/2026.

How has the Employment Cost Index in United States changed recently?

The Employment Cost Index in United States decreased from 0.9% (3/1/2026) to 0.9% (6/1/2026).

What is the all-time high for Employment Cost Index in United States?

The all-time high for Employment Cost Index in United States was 2.00%, recorded on 9/1/1982.

What is the all-time low for Employment Cost Index in United States?

The all-time low for Employment Cost Index in United States was 0.20%, recorded on 6/1/2015.

What is the historical average of Employment Cost Index in United States?

The historical average of Employment Cost Index in United States is 0.85%, calculated over the period from 6/1/1982 to 6/1/2026.

Where does the Employment Cost Index data for United States come from?

The Employment Cost Index data for United States is sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and published on Eulerpool.

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