August 13, 2003 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Growth in wages and salaries by region over the year

Employer costs for wages and salaries in private industry rose 4.1 percent in the Midwest region in the 12 months ended June 2003. This was the largest increase among the nation’s four regions.

Percent changes in Employment Cost Index for wages and salaries for private industry workers, by region, June 2002-June 2003
[Chart data—TXT]

In the West, wages and salaries were up 2.8 percent from June 2002 to June 2003. In the Northeast, wages and salaries rose 2.3 percent, while in the South, the increase was 1.6 percent. 

Wages and salaries in private industry rose 2.6 percent in the year ended June 2003 in the nation as a whole.

These data are from the BLS Compensation Cost Trends program. The above data are not seasonally adjusted. Learn more in "Employment Cost Index—June 2003" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 03-402.

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