Total compensation costs in the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy, as measured by the U.S. Labor Department's employment cost index, increased a seasonally adjusted six-tenths of a percentage point from July through September. During the second quarter of this year, the index rose eight-tenths percent. In the first quarter, the index fell two-tenths of a percentage point.
Within manufacturing, total compensation costs in the July through September quarter increased three-tenths of a percentage point among makers of durable goods. Among non-durable goods producers, costs increased 1.1%.
Manufacturing wages and salaries increased three-tenths of a percentage point in the third quarter; benefits increased 1%.
