Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States increased by 0.8% in the third quarter of 2026, after a 0.9% rise in the previous period, in line with market expectations. Wages and salaries increased 0.7% (vs 0.9% in Q2) and benefits rose at a faster pace of 0.9% (vs 1%). Compensation costs for private industry workers grew 0.8%, following a 0.9% rise in Q2, and for state and local government workers grew 0.6%, compared with 1% in Q2. On an annual basis, employment cost growth remained unchanged from the last period at 3.4%.