May 12, 2003 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Compensation growth most rapid in Midwest over the year

The Employment Cost Index for total compensation in private industry rose 4.9 percent in the Midwest region in the 12 months ended March 2003. This was the largest increase among the Nation’s four regions.

Percent changes in Employment Cost Index for compensation costs by region, March 2002-March 2003
[Chart data—TXT]

In the West, compensation was up 4.3 percent from March 2002 to March 2003. In the Northeast, compensation rose 3.5 percent, while in the South, the increase was 2.8 percent. 

In the Nation as a whole, compensation costs for private industry workers rose 3.8 percent in the twelve months ended March 2003.

These data are from the BLS Compensation Cost Trends program. Compensation costs (also known as employment costs) include wages, salaries, and employer costs for employee benefits. The above data are not seasonally adjusted. Learn more in "Employment Cost Index—March 2003" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 03-200.

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