Benefit Costs Drive Compensation Spending in Third Quarter

 

Oct. 31, 2006 -- Total compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1 percent in the third quarter of 2006, compared 0.9 percent over the second quarter, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Wage and salary increases stayed the same at 0.9 percent, while benefits costs in the July-September quarter rose 1.1 percent -- accounting for one-third of the total increase in compensation costs, the report said.

Benefits costs only rose 0.8 percent in the second quarter.

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