Employment Cost - Benefits QoQ tracks the quarterly change in the cost of non-wage compensation provided to employees, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave. As a major component of the Employment Cost Index (ECI), it provides a comprehensive view of labor market inflation beyond just base salaries. Rising benefit costs can impact corporate profitability and are often viewed by the Federal Reserve as a signal of broader inflationary trends in the economy.
The data is derived from the National Compensation Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It measures the change in the cost of a fixed basket of employee benefits per hour worked, adjusted for employment shifts between industries and occupations.
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 31, 2026 | 1.00 | 1.10 | -0.10 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | 1.20 | 0.40 | +0.80 |
| Feb 10, 2026 | 0.80 | 0.70 | +0.10 |
| Dec 10, 2025 | 0.80 | 0.60 | +0.20 |
| Jul 31, 2025 | 0.70 | 1.00 | -0.30 |
| Apr 30, 2025 | 1.20 | 0.80 | +0.40 |
| Jan 31, 2025 | 0.80 | 0.70 | +0.10 |
| Oct 31, 2024 | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.00 |
| Jul 31, 2024 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.00 |
| Apr 30, 2024 | 1.10 | 0.70 | +0.40 |
| Jan 31, 2024 | 0.70 | 0.80 | -0.10 |
| Oct 31, 2023 | 0.90 | 0.70 | +0.20 |
| Jul 28, 2023 | 0.90 | 1.10 | -0.20 |
| Apr 28, 2023 | 1.20 | 0.70 | +0.50 |
| Jan 31, 2023 | 0.80 | 0.80 | 0.00 |
| Oct 28, 2022 | 1.00 | 1.10 | -0.10 |
| Jul 29, 2022 | 1.20 | 1.60 | -0.40 |
| Apr 29, 2022 | 1.80 | 1.10 | +0.70 |
| Jan 28, 2022 | 0.90 | 1.00 | -0.10 |
| Oct 29, 2021 | 0.90 | — | — |
| Date | First print | Current | Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 10, 2026 | 0.70 | 0.80 | +0.10 ↑ |
