BLS Data Shows Costs for Employers for Worker’s Wages & Compesation for March 2026

Employer costs for employee compensation for civilian workers averaged $49.32 per hour worked in March 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries averaged $33.72, while benefit costs averaged $15.60.

Total employer compensation costs for private industry workers averaged $46.60 per hour worked in March 2026. Wages and salaries averaged $32.60 per hour worked and accounted for 69.9 percent of employer costs, while benefit costs averaged $14.01 per hour worked and accounted for the remaining 30.1 percent. Total employer compensation costs for private industry workers were $18.06 at the 10th wage percentile, $34.78 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $89.70 at the 90th wage percentile.

Total employer compensation costs for state and local government workers averaged $66.41 per hour worked in March 2026. Wages and salaries averaged $40.82 per hour worked and accounted for 61.5 percent of employer costs, while benefit costs averaged $25.59 per hour worked and accounted for the remaining 38.5 percent. Total employer compensation costs for state and local government workers were $27.86 at the 10th wage percentile, $62.34 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $111.96 at the 90th wage percentile.

In March 2026, employer costs for wages and salaries of private industry workers were $14.88 at the 10th wage percentile, $24.15 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $60.39 at the 90th wage percentile. Employer costs for benefits were $3.18 at the 10th wage percentile, $10.63 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $29.31 at the 90th wage percentile.

In the private industry, employer costs for paid leave were $0.48 at the 10th wage percentile, $2.24 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $8.04 at the 90th wage percentile. Employer costs for insurance were $0.72 at the 10th wage percentile, $3.51 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $6.77 at the 90th wage percentile. Employer costs for legally required benefits were $1.57 at the 10th wage percentile, $2.75 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $6.16 at the 90th wage percentile.