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				EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX – September 2020
				
Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.5 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month
period ending in September 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and
salaries increased 0.4 percent and benefit costs increased 0.6 percent from June 2020. (See tables
A, 1,  2, and 3.)

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 2.4 percent for the 12-month period ending in
September 2020 and increased 2.8 percent in September 2019. Wages and salaries increased 2.5 percent
over the year and increased 2.9 percent for the 12-month period ending in September 2019. Benefit
costs increased 2.3 percent and also increased 2.3 percent for the 12-month period ending in
September 2019. (See tables A, 4, 8, and 12.)

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.4 percent over the year. In September
2019, the increase was 2.7 percent. Wages and salaries increased 2.7 percent for the 12-month
period ending in September 2020 and increased 3.0 percent in September 2019. The cost of
benefits rose 2.0 percent for the 12-month period ending in September 2020 and also increased 2.0
percent in September 2019. (See tables A, 5, 9, and 12.)

Employer costs for health benefits increased 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending in September
2020. (For further information, see www.bls.gov/web/eci/echealth.pdf.)

Among private industry occupational groups, compensation cost increases for the 12-month period
ending in September 2020 ranged from 1.9 percent for management, professional, and related
occupations to 3.7 percent for service occupations. Within industry supersectors, compensation
cost increases ranged from 2.1 percent for education and health services to 4.1 percent for
leisure and hospitality. (See table 5.)

Compensation costs for state and local government workers increased 2.3 percent for the 12-month
period ending in September 2020, compared with an increase of 3.1 percent in September 2019. Wages
and salaries increased 1.8 percent for the 12-month period ending in September 2020 and 2.7 percent
a year ago. Benefit costs increased 3.2 percent for the 12-month period ending in September 2020.
The prior year increase was 3.5 percent. (See tables A, 7, 11, and 12.)

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Impact on September 2020 Employment Cost Index
The Employment Cost Index (ECI) reference date was September 12, 2020. Response rates for September
were comparable with prior releases, and no changes in estimation procedures were necessary.
Additional information is available at www.bls.gov/covid19/effects-of-covid-19-on-workplace-
injuries-and-illnesses-compensation-and-occupational-requirements.htm#ECI.
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