Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States rose by 0.9% in the second quarter of 2026, the same as in the previous period, slightly above forecasts of a 0.8% rise. Wages and salaries increased 0.9% (vs 0.8% in Q1) and benefits rose at a faster pace of 1% (vs 1.2%). Compensation costs for private industry workers grew 0.9%, the same as in Q1, and for state and local government workers grew 1%, also the same as in Q1. On an annual basis, employment cost growth remained unchanged from the last period at 3.4%.