Employer Costs for Employee Compensation Summary

For release 10:00 a.m. (ET) Tuesday, June 18, 2024					    USDL-24-1172

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Media contact:		(202) 691-5902  *  [email protected]


                       EMPLOYER COSTS FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION - MARCH 2024
                       
Employer costs for employee compensation for civilian workers averaged $46.14 per hour worked in March 
2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries averaged $31.72, while 
benefit costs averaged $14.41. Total compensation costs for civilian workers were $17.64 at the 10th 
wage percentile, $34.91 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $88.96 at the 90th wage percentile. 
(See tables A and 1.) 

Total employer compensation costs for private industry workers averaged $43.78 per hour worked in March 
2024. Wages and salaries averaged $30.76 per hour worked and accounted for 70.3 percent of employer 
costs, while benefit costs averaged $13.02 per hour worked and accounted for the remaining 29.7 
percent. Total compensation costs for private industry workers were $16.94 at the 10th wage percentile, 
$31.81 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $84.97 at the 90th wage percentile. (See tables A and 
1.)

Total employer compensation costs for state and local government workers averaged $61.27 per hour 
worked in March 2024. Wages and salaries averaged $37.90 and accounted for 61.9 percent of employer 
costs, while benefit costs averaged $23.37 and accounted for 38.1 percent. Total compensation costs for 
state and local government workers were $26.22 at the 10th wage percentile, $57.94 at the 50th (median) 
wage percentile, and $102.36 at the 90th wage percentile. (See tables A and 1.)

In March 2024, nominal (current dollar) private wages and salaries were $13.75 at the 10th wage 
percentile, $22.60 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $57.29 at the 90th wage percentile. In 
March 2015, nominal (current dollar) private wages and salaries were $8.63 at the 10th wage percentile, 
$16.13 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $41.48 at the 90th wage percentile. (See table A and 
www.bls.gov/ecec/data.htm.)

In March 2024, inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) private wages and salaries were $13.75 at the 10th 
wage percentile, $22.60 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $57.29 at the 90th wage percentile. 
In March 2015, inflation-adjusted (constant dollar) private wages and salaries were $11.41 at the 10th 
wage percentile, $21.33 at the 50th (median) wage percentile, and $54.86 at the 90th wage percentile. 
(See www.bls.gov/ecec/data.htm.)

For more information on average compensation costs within specified wage percentiles, see 
www.bls.gov/ecec/factsheets/compensation-percentile-estimates.htm.

Employer Costs for Employee Compensation for June 2024 is scheduled to be released on 
Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).