Worker Compensation Increased 0.8% in Q1

Washington, DC, April 30, 2020-Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.8%, seasonally adjusted, for the three-month period ending in March 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Wages and salaries increased 0.9%, and benefit costs increased 0.4% from December 2019. 

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 2.8% for the 12-month period ending in 

March 2020, and also increased 2.8% in March 2019. Wages and salaries increased 3.1% over the year and increased 2.9% for the 12-month period ending in March 2019. Benefit costs increased 2.1% for the 12-month period ending in March 2020. In March 2019, the increase was 2.6%. 

Compensation costs for private industry workers increased 2.8% over the year. In March 2019, the increase was also 2.8%. Wages and salaries increased 3.3% for the 12-month period 

ending in March 2020 and increased 3.0% in March 2019. The cost of benefits rose 1.6%

for the 12-month period ending in March 2020 and increased 2.4% in March 2019.