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Economic News Releases

Employer Costs for Employee Compensation

March 12, 2009
Employers spent an average of $29.18 per hour worked for compensation in December 2008. Wages and salaries averaged $20.37 and benefits $8.81. Private industry compensation costs averaged $27.35 per hour, including $2.26 for legally required and $1.85 for paid leave benefits. Full Text »

Regional and State Employment and Unemployment (Monthly)

March 11, 2009
In January, 49 states and the District of Columbia recorded over-the-month unemployment rate increases, while all states and the District of Columbia had higher rates than a year earlier. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased over the month in 42 states, increased in 7 states and the District of Columbia, and was unchanged in 1 state. Full Text »

The Editor's Desk

Employee-contribution-only retirement plans and State and local government workers

March 12, 2009
An interesting and growing phenomenon among State and local government workers is the availability of defined contribution plans that allow employees to defer taxes on their contributions but do not provide any employer contributions. Full Text »