FX.co ★ US Employment Costs Rise 0.8% QoQ as Expected

Compensation costs for civilian workers in the United States rose 0.8% in the third quarter of 2026, easing slightly from a 0.9% increase in the previous quarter and matching market expectations. Wages and salaries advanced 0.7%, down from 0.9% in Q2, while benefits grew at a slightly faster 0.9% pace compared with 1.0% in Q2. For private industry workers, compensation costs increased 0.8%, after a 0.9% gain in the second quarter. For state and local government workers, compensation costs were up 0.6%, slowing from a 1.0% rise in Q2. On a year-over-year basis, overall employment costs increased 3.4%, unchanged from the prior period.