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US wages rise 0.8% in Q3 and 3.1% over the year

Private industry wages and salaries rose 0.8% in the third quarter of 2026, seasonally adjusted, and 3.1% over the 12 months to September. The Bureau of Labor Statistics published the Employment Cost Index on 30 October.

By FTC Editorial TeamPublished 1 min read

The Bureau of Labor Statistics published its Employment Cost Index for the third quarter of 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on Friday 30 October. Private industry wages and salaries rose 0.8% from the second quarter, seasonally adjusted, and 3.1% over the 12 months to September, not seasonally adjusted. Benefit costs rose 0.9% over the quarter and 3.9% over the year (BLS, Employment Cost Index, 2026 Q3).

US wages rise 0.8% in Q3 and 3.1% over the year — risk-reward diagram
A risk-reward ratio of 1 to 2

Key figures

  • Wages and salaries, quarter on quarter: +0.8%, seasonally adjusted
  • Wages and salaries, 12 months: +3.1%
  • Benefit costs, quarter on quarter: +0.9%
  • Benefit costs, 12 months: +3.9%
US wages rise 0.8% in Q3 and 3.1% over the year — candlestick anatomy diagram
The parts of a candlestick: wick, body, open and close

The jobs report for October, due on Friday 6 November, is in US jobs report for October due Friday 6 November.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Cost Index, 2026 Q3

Common questions

How much did US private wages rise in Q3 2026?

0.8% from the second quarter, seasonally adjusted, and 3.1% over the 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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