United States Employment Cost Index

177▲ +1.56

Jun 2026 · Quarterly

The Employment Cost Index rose to 177.178 in the second quarter of 2026, up from 175.618 in the previous quarter. The reading matched the all-time high for the series, which began in the first quarter of 2001. The index has climbed from its low of 84.7 recorded in the first quarter of 2001.

United States Employment Cost Index, 2001–2026
ActualPreviousHighestLowestDatesFrequency
177176177Jun 202684.70Mar 20012001 – 2026Quarterly

About this series

Employment Cost Index in United States averaged 124 from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 177 in Jun 2026 and a record low of 84.70 in Mar 2001. The series is reported quarterly with history from 2001.

The Employment Cost Index measures employment costs in the United States. It is expressed as an index and reported quarterly. The index tracks changes in the cost of employing labor over time. The series begins in the first quarter of 2001 and extends through the latest available quarter.

Source & methodology

We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.

FAQ

United States Employment Cost Index FAQ