20

Table 15, Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
health services workers, by industry and occupational group, March 1999

Benefit costs
Total | Wages
Series compen, | and Supple- Retirement} Legaty | Guo,
sation | salaries Paid | mental and | required 1
Total | eave | "pay | isumnce| cvings | benefits | benefits
Cost per hour worked
Health services $14.16 | $4.88} $1.37.) $0.42 $1.07 $0.47 $1.54 (?) {
Professional specially and technical 26.01 | 1940 | 661] 189 69 1.96 53 2.08 (2) |
Professional specialty . 2944 | 2197 | 747} 222 79 1.47 68 2.32 (?) i
Nurses ag21 | 2148 | 7.73] 230} 1.00 147 84 2.32 (2) |
Technical 2060 | 1535} 525] 1.37 52 1.18 AT 170 (2) |
Administrative suppor, including clerical 1581 | 1141 | 440! 127 23 awn 57 121 (2)
Service occupations 41.40 8.61 2.80 65 23 65 22 1.03 (7)
Hospitats 2275 | 1621 | 654] . 194 87 1.60 58 174 ()
Professional specialty and technical 27e2 | 1997-| 7.85] 234 96 171 69 214 (2)
Professional specialty - soe7 | 2217 | sao] 257] 1.10 eal 74 2.36 (2) i
Nurses 30.85 22.12 872 2.62 1.30 1.67 13 2.39 (2) i
Technical 21.39 15.01 6.38 1.81 4 1.69 5B. 1.65 (2) i
16.17 11.26 492 { 1.40 28 158 A 421 (?) i
Service occupations... 13.52 9.25 427 1.06 43. 1.39 33 1.05 (?) i
Nursing homes 1329 | 10.06 |:323)..:..83 27 68 15: 1.30. fo (2) |
Professional specialty and technical .. 19.45 14.92 453 1.18 AB. 7 22 1.92 (7) i
Professional specialty . 2157 | 16.74 |: 483) 2127 37 84 28 2.40 @) |
Technical 1751 | 13.25 | .4.26 | 1.09 2 70 19 1.76 (2)
“Service occupations 10.57 7.91. fo. 2.68 |. 63. 23 62 42 41.07) fs (25,
| 7. Pettent of total compensation
Health services . x 2 400.0 743. frase | 72 86 25% 84 @y
Professional specialty and technical. 100.0 462) 2254.) 0°73 52 23 8.0 (3)
‘Professional specialty 100.0 746}: 25.4 75 50 22 79 (3)
~ 100.0 73.5 |. 265 73 5.0 122.42: 79 3)
400.0 45, 255 67. 57 23 83 @y
100.0 722 278 8.0 70 3.6 77 (3)
700.0 75.5 24.6 57. 2.0. | 57 19. 9.0: (8)
100.0 713 | 287 a5 29 70 25 76 (3)
Professional spec 100.0 718 282 a4 3.5 61 26 °° 27 (3)
Professional specialty .. 100.0 723 |..277 | = 84 36 56 24 77 ()
Nurses. 100.0 T17 28.3 a5] 42 54 24 77 )
Technical 100.0 702 | 298) 35 3.0 73 27 77 (3)
Administrative suppor, including clerical .. 100.0 696 | 304 | 287 7 98 27 75 @)
100.0 684 |. 31.6 78 32 103 24 78 ey |
100.0 757 243 62 2.0 5A 41 98 (3) 7
100.0 767 | 2331 61 23 40 1 99 (8)
100.0 76 | 224] 59 7 39 12 97 (3).
100.0 757 | 243 62 3.0 40 14 10.4 (@)
100.0 748 | 252 60 22 59 Ww 10.1 (3)

1 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.
2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less. Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.

3 Less than .05 percent.



14

Table 9. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
workers, by major occupational and industry group, and full-time and part-time status, March 1999

Benefit costs
Total | Wages
Series compen- | and ai ‘Supple- Retirement} Legally | Gino,
sation } salaries id | mental and | required
Total leave pay Insurance ‘savings benefits benefits?
Cost per hour worked
All full-time workers in private industry. $15.48] $6.07} $1.46] so67 | $1.39 $0.69 $1.82 $0.03
White-collar occupations .. 19.57 | 6.85] 1.90, Ra) 1.51 81 1.88 04
Sales .. . 1622 | 4.75] 1.01 63 35 50 163 02
Administrative support, including clerical .. 17.25 | 1233 | 492} 126 38 1.41 53 131 103
Blue-collar occupations 1900 | 1312 | 588] 1.07 74 1.42 69 4.92 04
Service occupations .. W77 870-| 3.07 4 25 76 20 121 (?)
Goods-producing industries? 2320 | 1606 | 716] 1.54 86 1.70 86 2.13 07
Construction 22.96 16.32 6.63 73 68 144 4.12 2.69 (?)
Manufacturing 23.11 15.85 | 726] 177 31 178 77 1.95 08
Service-producing industries* 2087 |. 1525.| Ser} 143 59 1.26 62 4.69 02
Transportation and public utilities aee4 | 1834 | 830} 2.02 79 197 4.21 224 7
Wholesale trade .. 21.91 15.75 | 616] 1.38 73 1.80 73 1.81 02
Retail trade . 1378 | 1066 | 3.12 87 27 63 20 1.34 (?)
Finance, insurance, and real estate .. 2652 | 1869 | 783] 1.95} 135 172 1.90 477 05
Semvices 2090 |° 1551} 539.) 1.51 45. 1.20 56 1.67 (?)
All part-time workers in private industry 10.20 a29 | 1.91 28 15 25 415 1.08 (2)
‘White-collar occupations 1289 | 10.49 | 240 46 20 33 19 121 (2)
Sate 8.42 694 | 1.48 18 12 19 a4 87 (2)
‘Administrative suppor, including clerical - +71 9.48} -222 43 a7 35 18 1.08 (2)
Blue-collar occupations 10.02 re 29 1.20 (2)
Service occupations. TAB 05, 88; (4)
Goods-producing industries? 11.78 WW. 1.51 (2)
Service-producing industries* 10.15; 1S 4.06: |. (2)
_. Retail trade... 748 09 86} (2)
‘Senice industries 12.62 AT 1.23 (?)
All full-time workers in private industry 100.0 718° |. 282 68: 31 65. 32 a4 o4
‘White-collar occupations, 100.0 731.|-269]° 7.5 28 59 32 74 2
Sale: 400.0 773. 227 |.. 48.) 30 45 24 78 a
Administrative Support, including clerical .. 100.0 715 |: °285 73°} 22 82 34 78 2
Blue-collar occupations. 100.0. 692 | 909.4. 56 39. 75. 36 10.1 2.
Service occupations 400.0 739 | 261 54 24 65 17 10.3 (8)
Goods-producing industries> 100.0 69:1] 30.9 6s 37 73 37 92 3
Construction 100.0 71a. | 289 32 3.0 64. 49 WT (5)
Manufacturing 100.0 636 | 314]: 77 39 77 33 84 3
‘Service-producing industries 100.0 731:| 269] 69 28 60 3.0 at a
“Transportation and public uti 100.0 638 | 312] 76 30 74 45 a4 3
Wholesale tride 100.0 71.9 | 281 63 33 68 33 83 a
Retail trade .. 100.0 74 226 49 20 48 18 97 (5)
Finance, insurance, and real estate .. 100.0 75s | 295] 74 51 65 38 67 2
Services 100.0 742 | 28] 72 22 87 27 8.0 (8)
All part-time workers in private industry .... 100.0 813 18.7 27 15 25 15 10.6 (5)
White-collar occupations 100.0 214 | 186] 36 16 26 15 94 (5)
Sales .. 100.0 a24 | 176] 24 14 23 13 wos | .(5)
Administrative support, including clerical... 100.0 810 | 190] 37 15 30 15 92 (5)
Blue-collar occupations 100.0 76.8 22 23 38 29 12.0 (8)
Service occupations ... 400.0 aa4 | 166 7 2 15 7 11.8 (5)
‘Goods-producing industries? .... 100.0 79.7 | 203 20 20 28 3 128 (8)
Service-producing industies* 100.0 186 | 29 15 24 15 10.4 (8)
Retail rade 100.0 178 17 12 24 12 115 (8)
Service industries 100.0 18.1 33 15 22 13 97 (S$)

1 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
3 Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing.

4 Includes transportation, communication, and public utilities; wholesale and

retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and service industries.
© Less than .05 percent.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due fo rounding.

|
|



24
Comparing private and public sector data

Aggregate compensation cost levels in State and local government should not be directly compared with —
those in private industry. Differences between these sectors stem from factors such as variation in work
activities and occupational structures. Manufacturing and sales, for example, make up a large part of private i
industry work activities, but are rare in State and local government. White-collar occupations (Jargely i
professional occupations including teachers) account for two-thirds of the State and local government i
workforce, compared with one-half of private industry.

A detailed examination of differences in compensation levels between private industry and State and
local government may be found in “Cost of Employee Compensation in Public and Private Sectors,” Monthly
Labor Review, May 1993.

Obtaining information

Articles, bulletins, and other information may be obtained by calling (202) 606-6199, sending an e-mail
message to ocltinfo @bls.gov, or visiting the Employment Cost Trends site (http://stats.bls.gov/ecthome.htm).



Chart A. Relative importance of employer costs § | Chart B. Employer costs for retirement and

for employee compensation, March 1999 f | savings benefits, private industry, March 1999 i
Civilian | State and Jocal| Private aq Defined Defined
workers| government [industry Benefit Contribution
Wages and salaries |72.5%| 70.6% |73.0%| ff Category
Benefits 275 | 204 ro | & All workers |

; |  Goods-producing :
Paid leave 66 78 6.3 f | Service- producing Sy
Supplemental pay | 2.5 0.9 2.9 i White collar MNMESS=eSas
H ; a Blue collar | ree)
Ineurance 64 | 79 159} | Service :
H H Union RS
Health benefits | 5.8 7.6 5.4 : Non-union: NESE
Retirement/savings| 3.7 6.8 3.0 R Northeast [Jy
Defined benefit 2.3 6.2 1.3
Defined contrib: | 4. 0.6 17 i 1-99 employees my
erned contnb. S 3 70qas9 employees zs
A ee
Legally required BA 5.9 8.7 e 500+ employees re ran -
- $0.00' - $0.50" _~ $1.00
Other benefits 0.1 0.1 0.2

_ Cost per hour worked °.

Chart C. Employer costs for employee compensation, private industry, March 1999
HI Wages & salaries Benefits

Category

All workers 1

Goods-producing |
Sermice producing q

White collar
Blue collar

Service 5

Union
Non-union I

Northeast 1
South
Midwest

1004498 99 employees
500+ employees §

Full time
Part time

$0 $3 36 $9 $12 SIS $18 $21 $24
Cost per hour worked

Bureau of Labor Statistics OCLT/SDAP 202.606.6199 ocitinfo@bis.gov http://stats.bls.gov/ecthome.htm 6/99



21

Table 16. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
transportation equipment manufacturing and public utilities workers, by industry and occupational group, March 1999

Benefit costs

Series compen- | and Supple- Retirement} Legally | one,
and required ts?

sation | salaries Paid | ‘mental
Total | teave | pay | MSUANCE | scvings | benefits
Cost per hour worked

‘Transportation equipment manufacturing (SIC 37)

$33.21 | $21.03 | $12.18] s2s1]} $1.62 $3.04 $145 $2.79 $0.37
White-collar occupations .. 85

38.81 27.03.| 11.79} - 384 272 131 2.80 27

Percent of total compensation

Professional specialty and technical 4407 | 3122 | 1286) ~436 ea 2.80 146 3.18 22
Executive, administrative, and managerial 43.55 | 3047 | 1308| 460] 1.07 2.82 1.42 2.92 25
Biue-collar occupations 30.11 | 17.81] 1230] 239] 201 3.20 1.52 277 40
Service occupations 34.75 | 1906]. 1568] 312} 283 3.44 1.98 3.52 80
Aircraft manufacturing (SIC 3721) 95.33 | 2428] 11.05] 394] 1.19 2.60 97. 277 18
White-collar occupations 38.2 | 2688 | 11.24] 377 nm 2.60 112 2.87 28
Biue-collar occupations 30.56 | 1984] 1072] 270] . 202 2.60 73 2.58 09
Public utilities (SIC’s 48, 49) .. 2a72 | 1972] 899] 252 7 2.23 1.07- 2.06 14
White-collar occupations .. 2eso | 1973 | 877} 245 86 2.17 1.05 2.04 20 i
Blue-collar occupations 29.67 | 2003 | 963] 272) 1:17 244 113, 2.18 05 :
Communications (SIC 48) .. 2615 | 1818 |. 7.97] 218 91 1.98 88 1.90 12 i
‘White-collar occupations .. 25.60 | 17.94 | 7.66| 208 85 | > 1.87 82 188° |> 7 !
Biue-collar occupations 28.11 19.14 8.98-|. - 2.50 1.07 2.32 1.07 - 1.98 04
Electric, gas, and sanitary services (SIC 49) .. 33.28: | 2246 | 10.82} 3.13] . 1.07 2.69. 1.40 2.38 Av |
White-collar occupations 35.00 | 2376 |. 1124] 329 87 2.85 1.58 239 | 27 i
Biue-coliar occupations 3153 |. 21.1% | 1042] 298 |. > 1.28 2.53 121. 2.35 06
|

Transporation equipment manufactutirig (SIC 37) ... 100.0 36.7 88 a9. “92 44 BaP At
White-coliar occupations 100.0 30.4 9.9 22 7.0 34 72 Z
Professional specialty and technical 100.0 292 9.9 17 64 33 72
Executive, administrative, and managerial * 100.0 30.0 | 10.6 25 65 33 67 6
Blue-collar occupations .. seen 100.0 40.9 739 67. -10.6. 5.0 92 13 i
Service occupations 100.0 45.4 9.0 8.1 9.9. 57 10.1 23 i
]
Aircraft manufacturing (SIC 3721) 100.0 687 | 31.3 95 34 TA 27 78 5 |
White-collar occupations 100.0 70.5 } 295 7 19 68 29 75 & |
Blue-collar occupations 100.0 649 | 351 88 66 85 24 84 3 H
Public utilities (SIC’s 48, 49) 100.0 687 | 313 88 34 7.8 37 72 5
White-cottar occupations. 100.0 692 | 308 a6 3.0 7.6 37 72 7
Blue-collar occupations .. 100.0 675 | 325 92 39 a4 38 72 2
Communications (SIC 48) 100.0 695 | 305 83 35. 76 34 73 5
White-coliar occupations. 100.0 70.4 29.9 BA 33 73 32 73 7
Blue-collar occupations .. 100.0 68.1 31.9 89 38 83 38 70 a
Electric, gas, and sanitary services (SIC 49) 100.0 67.5 | 325 94 32 84 42 7A 5
White-collar occupations. 100.0 679 | 32.1 94 25 84 45 68 8 i
Blue-collar occupations . 100.0 67.0 { 330 9.5 44 8.0 38 7S 2 |

7 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.
Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.



23
Employment data from these 2-, 3-, and 4-digit industries were distributed to major occupational groups
(such as executives, administrators, and managers or machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors) using the
relative importance of the groups in the Employment Cost Index (ECT) sample. Because the EC] establishment
sample is completely replaced over a period of several years, major occupational group employment counts
from the ECT are affected by the age of the sample. However, a few years difference in the age of the
occupational data within industries is likely to have a small impact on the estimates.

In contrast, the ECL, which measures the change in employer costs for employee compensation, is
calculated with fixed 1990 employment counts to prevent employment shifts among occupations and industries
from influencing the changes. Therefore, year-to-year changes in Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
will differ from those in the ECI.

More information on the cost levels, including how costs are calculated, appears in “Analyzing
employers’ costs for wages, salaries, and benefits,” Monthly Labor Review, October 1987.

Relative Standard Errors

Because the ECEC is a sample survey, it is subject to sampling errors. Sampling errors are differences
that occur between the results computed from a sample of observations and those computed from all
observations in the population. The estimates derived from different samples selected using the same sample
design may differ from each other. A measure of the variation among these differing estimates is-the standard
error. It can be used to measure the precision with which an estimate from a particular sample approximates:the
expected result of all possible samples. The chances are about 68 out of 100 that am‘estimate from the survey
differs from a complete population figure by less than the standard error. ‘The.chances are about 90 out of 100.
that this difference would be less than 1.6'times the standard error. All the statements of comparisons appearing
in this publication are significant at a 1.6 standard error level or better, unless otherwise indicated. This means
that, for differences cited, the estimated difference is greater than 1.6 times the standard error of the difference.

The relative standard error is shown with the cost estimates for some series in the appendix. For a more
detailed explanation of relative standard errors, see “Analyzing employer’s costs for wages, salaries, and
benefits,” in the October 1987 issue of the Monthly Labor Review. For a detailed explanation of how to use
standard error data to analyze differences in year-to-year changes, see "Analyzing Year-to-Year Changes in
Employer Costs for Employee Compensation,” Compensation and Working Conditions, Spring 1998. This
article supplements two articles from the Summer 1997 issue of Compensation and Working Conditions which
focus on trends in the ECl and ECEC. "Measuring Trends in the Structure and Levels for Employer Costs for
Employee Compensation” discussed trends in the distribution of employer costs among compensation
components at different points in time. "Explaining the Differential Growth Rates of the ECI and ECEC”
examined how differences in the construction of these measures contribute to differing trends.

Standard errors relate to differences that occur from sampling errors, but not from nonsampling errors.
Sampling errors are differences between the results computed from a sample of observations and those
computed from all observations in the population. Nonsampling errors are not measured and include survey
nonresponse and data collection and processing errors. Survey nonresponse is when sample members are
unwilling or unable to participate in the survey. Data collection errors include provision of inaccurate data by
respondents and definitional difficulties. Processing errors include errors in recording, coding, and entering
data. Although nonsampling errors are not measured, BLS quality assurance programs contain procedures for
reducing such errors. These procedures include data collection reinterviews, observed interviews, computer
data edits, and systematic review of reports on which data are recorded. Extensive field economist training also
is conducted to maintain high data collection standards.



18

Table 13. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
workers, by bargaining status, and major industry and occupational group, March 1999

Benefit costs
Total | Wages
Series compen- | and Supple- Retirement} Legally | Gino,
sation | salaries Paid | mental and} sequired 1
Total | jeave | “pay | surance | savings | berets | bereits
Cost per hour worked
All union workers, private industry, $24.75 | $16.21 | $8s3{ $1.66] $094 | $2.21 $1.37} $2.26 $0.09
Blue-collar occupations 25.76 16.41 9.35 1.64 113 2.43 1.60 2.45 10
Goods-producing industries? ...... 2633 |. 1674 | :959| 162] 1.19 257 1.56 251 13
Service-producing industries? 2337 |: 1575 | 762] 1.70 72 1.89 121 2.04 105
Manufacturing 23.21 14.60 8.61 1.78 1.29 2.30 36 2.12 17
Biue-collar occupations 2306 | 1438 | 368] 4.72] 136 2.30 1.00 213 17
Nonmanufacturing 2561 | 1712 | B49] 159 74 2.16 1.61 234 04
All nonunion workers, private industry 1820 | 1354} 465} 1.13 50 98 A 1.57 02
Blue-collar occupations 1539 | 1120 | 418] 76 54 82 82 1.63 «)
Goods-producing industries? . 2175 | 1556 | 620] 1.46 73 1.37 61 1.98
Service-producing industries? 17.29 13.03 4.27 1.05 AS 88 42 1.46. (4)
Manufacturing .. (22.62 16.01 6.61 171 75 1.55 68. 1.86 05
Biue-coltar occupations 1699 | 11.82}. S16] 1.05 74 1.30 43 162°: 02
Nonmanufacturing 17.42 18.44. [> 4.32 1.03 45 88 42? ste fe (4)
Percent of total compensation
Ail union workers, private industry 100.0 65.5 345: 67 £38 89. 55 O04.
Blue-collas occupations .. 100.0 637.) 363.) 64 As 94 62 a
Goods-producing industries?, 100.0. = 636 36.4 62 45 98. 5.90 Pg
Service-producing industries? 100.0 S674" 4.326 73 3.1. 2 BS 5252, a
‘Manufacturing .. 100.0 B29} 37.4 ced 56 99 44 Ze
Biue-collar occupations 100.0 62a |. 376 | 75 53 10.0. 43 7
»Nonmanufacturing 100.0 668.) 32] 62 29 | .. 84 63 28
All nonunion workers, private industry 400.0 744.) 256]. 62 27 54 25 86 a
Blue-collar occupations ... 100.0 728.4..272.). 49 35 6.0 24 10.6 (sy
. Goods-producing industries? 100.0 15 | 25}. 67 34 | 68 28 ote 2
‘Service-producing industries? 100.0 754 24.7 64 25 5.4 24 84 (5)
Manufacturing .. 100.0 yos-| 292} 76 33 fo 69 82° 2
Blue-collar occupations -. 100.0 636 |. 304] 62 44 77 95. a
Nonmanufactusing .... 100.0 753 | 28] 59 26 54 87 (5)

1 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

2 Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing.

3 Inctudes transportation, communication, and public utilities; wholesale and
retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and service industries.

4 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
5 Less than .05 percent.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.



10

Table 5. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
workers, by major industry group, March 1999

All workers in private 5 ‘ a r .
Compensation wnat Goods-producing? | Service-producing? | Manufacturing Nonmanufacturing
component
Cost _| Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent
Total compensation .. 100.0 | $22.86 | 100.0 | $i7e2 | 100.0 | $2277 | 1000 | $1820 | 100.0
Wages and salaries .. 13.87 73.0 | 15.84 69.3 | 1326 744 | 15.66 esa | 1349 | 74.1
Total benefits .. 5.13 27.0 7.02 307 | 4.55 25.5 TAI 312 4a7t 25.9
Paid teave 1.20 63 | -1.50° 66 144 62 173 78 4.09 6.0
Vacation .. 59 34 78 34 54 3.0 89 3.9 53 29
Holiday at 22 55 24 37 24 64 28 37 2.0
Sick . 44 7 a 5 15 38 13 8 14 8
Other 05 3 06 3 05 3 7 3 04 2
Supplemental pay 55 29 85 37 46 26 89 3.9 48 26
Premiums .. 23 12 249 24 14 8 50 22 17 9 |
‘Shift differentials 05 3 07. 3 04 2 10 4 04 2 |
Nonproduction bonuses .. 28 18 28 12 28 16 29 13 28 15
Insurance 113 59 1.66 73 a7 54 1.74 7.6 1.01 55
Lite 04 2 06 3 04 2 06 3 04 2
Health 1.03 Sa 152° 66 88 49 1.58 69 ot 5.0
Short-term disability4 204 2 06". 3 03 2 o7 3 03 2
Long-term disability 02 7 02% x 02 1 03 a 02 A i
Retirement and savings “ST 3.0 ABET BF 43 27 78 3.3 29 |
Defined benefit 25 13 45° 20 19 14 38 17 J 42
‘Defined contribution’ 82 17 B92 AT +430. 1 38. Ww WwW |
Legaliy required benefit 1.65 a7.|. 244 92 151 1.93 as}: 159 ae |
Social Security® 116 61 1,38 59 1.10 134°} > 59 1.12 62
OASDI 93 49 1.08"). 47 189 108}. | 47 90 49
2. Medicare 42. 226 et ota 22 26 aa BQ fe AB
Federat unemployment insurance: 03 2 203%") + 03: 03 1 03" |" ‘2
State unemployment insurance 40 5 -13 6 09 an 5 10 5
Workers’ compensation .. 19 -6T 27 28 a4 19 4 19
‘Other benefits® .. 03 2 06. 3 02 4 08 4 02 a
1 Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing. benefits for each disability, including unfunded plans.
2 Includes transportation, communication, and public utilities; wholesale and 5 The'total employer's cost for Sdciat Security is comprised ‘of an’ OASDI
retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and service industries. portion and a Medicare portion. OASDI is thie acronym for Old-Age, Survivors,
3 Includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule. and Disability Insurance.
(such as overtime, weekends, and holidays). © includes’ severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

4 Short-term disability (previously, sickness and accident insurance)
includes all insured, self-insured, and state-mandated plans that provide - Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.



7

|
!
Table 2. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Civilian i
workers, by occupational and industry group, March 1999 i
i
|

Benefit costs
Total Wages
Series compen | and Supple- Retirement] Legally {| Guo, ;
sation | salaries Paid | mental and | required +
Total | eave | “pay | insurance | sings | fouls | benefits
Cost per hour worked |
i
Civilian workers $20.29 | $14.72 | $5.58}.s134] $051]. si29 | $076 | $1.65 $0.03 |
Occupational group
White-collar occupations 24.50 18.02 6.47 1.74 52 1.48 93 1.76 04
Professional specialty and technical 32.42 24.04 8.38 2.27 50 1.89 1.45 221 06
Professional specialty 3431 | 2558] 3873| 236 48 2.00 1.57 227 06 i
Nurses 29.37 21.53 7.85 2.34 94 1.49 7 2.30 (7) i
Teachers .... 36.88 | 2813 | 875] 1.68 7 2.33 231 06 |
Technicat 2572 | 1859 | 7.14] 195 58 152 1.02 08
Executive, administrative, and managerial 36.18 25.31 9.87 3.05 V4 1.86 1.36 05
Administrative support, including clerical tees | 11.90] 473] 421 at 1.37 58 02
Blue-collar occupations .... 1820 | 1261 | sse} 1.04 7 1.34 8 1.82 03
Service occupations .. 11.46 245 | 3.00 64 21 66 40 1.09 (2)
industry group
2123.) 1887,]. $37 |. 1.40 33 4.26 78 1.58 02
19.44 44.30 5.14 147 144 1.13 5A 1.55 (?)
22.90 16.15, 6.75 |. 2.04 5 1.63 472 (2)
Educational services 30.13 | 2294]. 779] 1388 08 219 1.83 175 05
Elementary and secondary educati 29.52°| 21.88 "| 7.63}. 1.66. 07 237 1.84 1.63 06
Higher education ....... 92.39 | 2399 | 840): 298 14 1.94 1.92 2.02 (3)
Percent of total compensation:
Civilian workers .. 100.0 72.534 275 66 25h 64 P87 81 “Ot
Occupational group
White-coliar occupations 100.0 736 | 264 7A 24 60 38 72 2 i
Professional specialty and technical. 100.0 742. |° 258 |. 70 15 |. 58 45 68 2 |
Professional specialty 400.0 746 | 254 69 14 58 48 6s 2
Nurses 100.0 733 | 267 |. 80 32 51 26 78 @)
Teachers .. 100.0 763 | 237 54 2 63 [> 63 57 2
Technical .. 100.0 723 | 278| 76 23 ss 49 78 2
Executive, administrative, and managerial 100.0 71.9 | 281 a7 32 53 39 69 a
Administrative support, including clerical 100.0 m6 | 2846] 73 13 82 35 75 a
Blue-collar occupations 100.0 693 | 307 57 37 74 37 10.0 2 |
Service occupations ... 100.0 7a7 | 262 56 18 58 35 95 ()
Industry group |
Services .. 100.0 748 | 2531 66 16 59 74 a
Health services 100.0 736 | 264] 76 23 58 8.0 (3)
Hospitals .... 100.0 705 29.5 89 28 cAl 75 (3)
Educational services 100.0 wai | 259 | 62 3 73 58 2
Elementary and secondary education 100.0 741 | 258 58 2 80 55 2
Higher education .. 100.0 wai | 259} 73 4 690 62 (3)

7 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.
2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less. Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.
5 Less than .05 percent.



6

Table 1. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Civilian
workers, by major occupational group, March 1999

Compensation Civilian workers White-cotlar Biue-collar Service
‘component
Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Pement | Cost | Percent
Total compensation $20.29 100.0 | $24.50 100.0 | $18.20 100.0 |°- $11.46 300.0
Wages and salaries 14.72 725 18.02 736 | 1261 693 8.45 73.7
Total benefits 5.58 275 647 26.4 558 307 3.00 262
1.34 66 174 a 1.04 57 64 5.6
62 31 78 32 53 29 29 25
46 23 59 24 37 2.0 21 18
20 1.0 29 12 10 5 4 1.0
07 3 09 4 04 2 03 3
Supplemental pay 51 25 2 a4 67 37 2 18
Premium? 21 1.0 4 4 AS 25 44 1.0
Shift differentials 05 2 04 2 07 4 04 3
Nonproduction bonuses 25 12 37 15 14 8 06 5
Insurance 1.29 64 1.48 60 1.34 74 86 58
05 2 06 2 05 3 02 2
118 58 135 55 124 68, 62 54
03 4 104 2 04 2 2
‘Long-term disability 08: 1 04: 822. 02-4. 1. (3) (4)
Retirement and savings 76 37° |). 93 3.8 68 a7 40 35.
Defined benefit AB 23 52 21. a4 24 32 28
‘ Definéd contributio 30 18 aT Ww 24. 13 07 8
Lagally required benefits 165 Bi pe welts: 72 40.0" 4.09 95
Social Security> TAB 58 1A 5.8 59. 70 6.4.
an gay 46 4.42! 46 az 568 ‘49
24 12 29 AZ tt 14 2
Fedérai unemployment insurance .. 03 a 03 a 2 03 3
State unemployment insurance .. 09 4 09 A 7 08 7
‘Workers’ compensation 35 7 24 4.0 34 28 24
Other benefits® 03 a 04 2} 08 2 (3) (4)
*T includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work 5 The total employer's cost for Social Secuiity is comprised of an
schedule (such as overtime, weekends, and holidays). OASDI portion and a Medicare portion. OASDI is the acronym for
2 Short-term disabilty (previously, sickness and accident insurance) _Olg-Age, Survivors, and Disabilty Insurance.
iricludes all insured, self-insured, and state-mandated plans that provide © Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.
benefits for each disability, including unfunded plans.
3 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 orless. Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.

»* Less than .05 percent.



19

Tabie 14. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
workers, by establishment employment size, and major industry and occupational group, March 1999

Benefit costs
" Total Wages
Industry and occupational group, compen- | and Supple- Retirement! Legally |,
and employment size sation | salaries | 5543) | Paid | mental |, and | required | ,Oner,
a leave | pay | '"SUTMPCE] savings | benefits nel
Cost pes hour worked
Ail workers in private industry $19.00 | $13.87 | $5.13| $120] soss | sit3 | sos7 | s1.65 | $0.03
1-99 workers. 1627 | 1229 | 3.98 83 40 84 39 1.51 (2)
100 or more workers . 218 | 1554] 635] 1.58 71 4.44 76 1.80 05
100-499 workers 18.14 | 13.17] 497] tat 58 412 53 1.62 02
500 or more workers. 2637 | 1837} 800] 215 ‘87 1.83 1.05 2.01 08
Goods-producing industries? 2286 | 1584] 7.02] 1.50 85 1.86 84 an 06
1-89 workers 33.98 | 1379] 519] as 82 114 62 210 |. (2)
100 or more workers .. 2550 | 1724] 826] 197] 107 2.02 99 2.12 10
100-499 workers ... 2158 | 1480] 679]. 1.39 94 1.85 79 1.99 02
500 or more workers 2939 | 1966 | 973] 255] 1.19 2.38 419 224 18
producing industries 1792 | 1326 | 455} 4.11 46 97 49 1.51 02
1-99 workers: 15.65 19.95 371 84 38 a7 34 1.38 (?).
100 or more workers .. 2042 | 1498 | 557] 1.43 57 121 ‘87 167 og
100-499 workers. 16.91 12.59 4.32 1.01, AS 92 43 1.48 02
500 or more workers 24.97 WIT 7A9 1.97 71 1.58 98. 1.90 04
White-collar occupations 23.02 | 17.02 |. 6.00} 1.63. 61 1.28 68 4.76 03
4-99 workers 1958 | war} a7] 148 49. 1.01 48 154 | (2)
100.r more workers .. 26.39°}. 1913 | 726]. 206 74 155 90 197 08
100-499 workers 2199 | 1621 |. 578] 1.48 ‘65 124 64 174 03
500 or more workers .. 30.56 |: 2189. | 867]. 261] ©. ‘a2 1.84 wa] 28 08
Biue-collar occupations .. 1798 | 1251 | $48] -: 98 89 1.30 64 1.84 03
1-99 workers test | 1201} 449]... 68 49 4.00 47 184 | (2)
100 or more worker igas | 1300 | 647} 1.28 88}... 1.61 st} 1.83 06
100-499 workers 17.34. | 12.02:}- 5.32'|= 994. “68 1.29 80 175 | (2)
500 or more workers . 2240°| 1436} 805) 166. >. 4.45 2.05 1,10 1.95 “3
Percent of total compensation
‘All workers in private industry 100.0 730 | 270 | 63 29 59 3.0 a7 02
1-99 workers .. 100.0 755 | 245] 54 25 52 24 93 @)
100 or more workers 100.0 710°] 290] 72 32 66 35 82 2
100-499 workers . 100.0 726 | 274] 61 32 62 29 89 a
500 or more workers 100.0 697 | sos | a2 33 63 40 78 3
Goods-producing industries? 100.0 es | 307} 66 37 73 37 92 3
1-99 workers 100.0 727-4 273] 43). 27 60 33 Wd (8)
100 or more workers, 100.0 676 | 324] 77. 42 79 39 83 4
100-499 workers. 400.0 ese | si5 | 64 44 76 37 92 a
500 or more workers 100.0 669 | 331 87 40 at 40 76 8
Service-producing industries* .. 100.0 744} 255} 62 26 54 27 85 A
4-99 workers . ~-| 100.0 764 | 237). 54 24 49 22 a8 (3)
100 of more workers 100.9 waz | 273] 7.0 28 59 33 82 a
100-499 workers 100.0 745 | 255 | 60 27 54 25 88 4
500 or more worker 100.0 712 | 28] 79 28 63 39 76 2
White-collar occupations 100.0 739 | 269} 74 26 56 3.0 76 4
1-99 workers .. wooo | 759 | 261] 60 25 52 25 79 (8)
100 or more workers wooo | 725 | 275| 78 28 59 34 75 2
100-499 workers .. 100.0 737 | 263] 67 30 56 29 73 4
500 of more workers 100.0 m6) 224} es} 27 60 37 7A 3
Blue-collar occupations 100.0 eas | 305] 55 38 72 36 102 2
1-99 workers . 100.0 ver | 272] 44 30 61 28 WA (3)
100 or more workers 100.9 6s | 332] 66 45 83 42 94 3
100-499 workers .. 700.0 693 | 307] 57 39 74 35 10.4 (5)
500 oF more workers 100.0 641 | 359] 74 51 92 49 87 8B

7 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 of less.
3 Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing.

4 Includes transportation, communication, and public utilities; wholesale and

retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and service industries.
5 Less than .05 percent.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equa! totals due to rounding.



Table 4. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation:

local government, by occupational and industry group, March 1999

9

Benefit costs
Total Wages
Series compen | and Supple- Retirement} Legally | Guo,
sation | salaries Paid | mental and | required ory
Total | eave | “pay. | surance | stings | benefits | Denefits
Cost per hour worked
State and local goverment workers... sea.oo | si97e | saz2| s217| go2a | $222 $1.91 $1.64 $0.04
Occupational group
White-collar occupations ... 3099 | 2244 | .a55| 224 14 235 2.02 1.76 05
Professional specialty and technical 36.67 | 2730 | 936] 221 15 251 241 2.02 7
Professional specialty 38.03 | 2845 | 958| 222 13 258 251 2.07 07
Teachers 40.83 | 3094 | 989] 208 06 273 2.80 2.44 08
Technical 2288 | 1870] 717] 214 35 1.76 1.36 1.54 03
Executive, administrative, and managerial 35.08 | 2458 | 1051] 352 a7 242 237 2.02 (?)
Administrative suppor, including clerical 1798 | 1191 | 597] 1.63 210 2.02 1.09 1 02
Blue-collar occupations .. 21.94 14.47 7.47 | 2.08 ‘34 2.09 1at 1.53 02.
Service occupations 2123 | 1374] 749) 1.98 5 1.84 7.80 1.33 04
Industry group
Services .. 2945 | 2150] 7.95] 1.96 15 227 1.86 1.668 05.
Health services 22.95 15.52 7.43 2.35 258. 172 W150 1.60 03.
Hospitals 2348 | 1589) 759} 241 “58 175 4.19 163 08
Educational services 3067 | 2264] 803) 1.89 -09 234 4.98 1.68 05
Elementary and secondary education ... 30.25 22.38 7.87 171 06 2.46 1.96 1.61 07
Higher education 92.35 | 2380} a55| 241 16 2.01 2.08 4.89 @)
Public administration 25.39 | 1678 | - asi} 253 37 2.10 203°] 4.85 03
Percent of total compensation
State and local government workers. 1000 “|..706.| 294}. 7.8 09 7.9 68 5.9 0.4
Occupational group
White-collar occupations 400.0 724 | 276] 72 5 76 65 57 2
Professional specialty and technical 700.0 744 | 255] 60 4 68 6.6 55 2
-| 100.0 748 | 252 58 3 68 6s 54 2
-| 100.0 758 | 242 51 a 67 69 52 2
.| 100.0 eas | 313 94 15 77. 59 67 a
ti 10020 701 30.0 | 10.0 5 69 6B 5B (3)
Administrative support, including clerical 100.0 666 | 334] 94 6 13 61 62 a
Biue-collar occupations 100.0 660 | 340] 95 15 95 64 70 a
Service occupations .... 100.0 e47 | s53{ 93 24 87 a5 63 2
Industry group
100.0 730 | 270] 67 5 77 63 56 2
100.0 evs | 324] 102 25 75 5.0 70 a
100.0 677 | 323 | 103 25 75 51 69 a
100.0 73s | 262] 62 3 78 65 55 2
100.0 749 | 260| 57 2 a4 65 53 2
100.0 736 | 264] 74 5 62 64 58 (3)
Public administration 100.0 661 | 339] 100 15 33 8.0 8.4 a
1 Includes severance pay and s! unemployment benefits.

2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
3 Less than .05 percent.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.



25 |
Appendix. Employer costs per hour worked for components of compensational, and relative standard errors,’ by major industry and
occupational categories, March 1999

Benefit costs
Total Wages
Industry or ,
0 compen | and Supple- Retirement} , Legally
‘occupation category sation | salaries | 7... | Paid | menial |, and | ‘required | ,Omr
teave | pay | PSUR? | savings | benefits
Civilian workers
Cost per hour worked . $20.29 | $14.72.) $558] $1.34] $051 | st29 | $076 | $1.65 $0.03,
Relative error T% 7% 1.0% 14% 3.0% 1.2% 22% 8% 11.3%
State and local government workers
‘Cost per hour worked $28.00 | $19.78} $622} s217} $24] $222 | $1.91 $1.64 $.04
Relative error ... 15% | 15%] 20%] 19%] 76% | 21% 3.4% 23% | 25.2%
Private industry workers |
Cost per hour worked $19.00 | $13.87 | $513| s120| sss] $1.13 $57 | $1.65 $.03
Relative error % 9% | 12% |. 1.8%] 34% | 1.6% 3.0% 3% | 11.6% |
Goods-producing industriesS |
Cost per hour worked $22.86 | $15.84 | $7.02] $150] $05 | $1.66 $.24 $2.11 $.06
Relative error 1.8% 14% | 21% | 23% | 47% | 3.0% 5.9% 17% | 193% .. i
‘Service-producing industries* i
Cost per hour worked $17.82 | $1326 | sass} $1.11] $46 $97 $49 | $1.51 $.02 i
Relative error 1.0% | 10% | 13%] 22%] 45% | 18% 3.4% 1.0% .| 10.2% i
Manufacturing : |
Cost per hour worked $22.77. | $18.66 | -s7.11.| $173] sa9 |. 1.74 $75. |" $1.93 $.08 |
Relative error 19% | 19%:| 23%} 28%]. 55% | 30% 6.5% 1.8% |..19.9% |
: ; . |
~ Nonmanutacturing
Cost per hour worked .. $1820 | $13.49°} $4.71 | $1.09 $.48 $1.01 $53 |.° $1.59 $.02
Relative error 1.0% 1.0%] 14% | 22% | 42% | 2.0% 3.3% 4.0% 9.8%
White-coltar workers afte ‘ : 3
Cost per hour worked .. $23.02 | $17.02: $6.00} $163} $1 |. $1.28 sso |. $1.76]. : $03
Relative error 1.2% | 12% |° 1.5% | 2.2% |. 5.8% |. 1.9% 3.3% 1.0% "| 15.7%
Blue-collar workers |
Cost per hour worked .. $17.98.4 $12.51) $548} $98:] $69]. $1.30 $64 | > $1.84. $.03
Relative error . 14% | 12% | 21%] 24%) 29% | 30% 5.7% 15% | 11.6% |
$9.58 $7.44 | $214 $38 $.16 $.43 $.13 $1.04 (8) i
Relative error ..... 1.8% | 15% | 32% | 52%] 93% | 5.7% 8.6% 2.3% (8)

1 The relative error is the standard error expressed as a percent of the cost. retail trade; finance, insurance, and reat estate; and service industries.

One can be 90-percent confident that the interval around the cost estimate § Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
bounded by 1.6 times plus and 1.6 times minus the standard error contains the © Relative error is suppressed because cost per hour worked is less than
“true* cost. $0.01.

2 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

® Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing. Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.

4 Includes transportation, communication, and public utilities; wholesale and



, United States Cs
; Department Sy
of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics Washington, D.C. 20212

Technical Contact: . USDL: 99-173
(202) 606-6199 ocltinfo@bls.gov

Media Contact: FOR RELEASE: 10:00A-M.EDT — ..
(202) 606-5902 Thursday, June 24, 1999

Internet address:

http://stats.bls.gov/ecthome.btm
EMPLOYER COSTS FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION - MARCH 1999.

In March 1999, employer costs for employee compensation for civilian: workers (private industry and
State and local government) in the United States: averaged $20.29 per hour worked, the-U:S. Department.of
Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. ‘Wages and salaries, which:averaged $14.72,-accounted for
72.5 percent of these costs, while benefits, which averaged $5.58, accounted for the remaining 27.5 percent. *
(See table 1.) :

Legally required benefits averaged $1.65 per hour (8.1 percent of total compensation), representing the
largest non-wage employer cost. Employer costs for paid leave benefits averaged $1.34 (6.6 percent); insurance
benefits averaged $1.29 (6.4 percent), and retirement and savings benefits averaged 76 cents (3.7 percent) per
hour worked. :

Private Industry

In March 1999, private industry employer compensation costs averaged $19.00 per hour worked. Wages
and salaries averaged $13.87 per hour (73 percent), while benefits averaged $5.13 (27 percent). (See table 5.)

Compensation costs varied by industry, occupational group, region, establishment size, and worker
characteristics (bargaining status and full-/part-time status).

Average employer compensation costs were $22.86 per hour in goods-producing and $17.82 per hour in
service-producing industries. Among industry groups, average compensation costs ranged from $10.64 in retail
trade to $25.11 in finance, insurance, and real estate. (See table 10.)

Average compensation costs were $23.02 per hour for white-collar occupations, $17.98 for blue-collar
occupations, and $9.58 for service occupations. Benefits, however, accounted for a greater proportion of
compensation costs for blue-collar occupations (30.5 percent) than for white-collar (26.1 percent) and service
occupations (22.3 percent). (See table 6.)



12

Table 7. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry workers, by

region and bargaining status, March 1999

Region" Bargaining status
‘Compensation i ,
component Northeast South Midwest West Union Nonunion
Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost_| Percent
Total compensation .. szo.94 | 100.0 | $1697] 100.0} $18.36 | 100.0 | $20.74 | 100.0 | $24.75 | 100.0 | $1820 | 1000
Wages and salaries .. 15.08 | 72.0] 1255 74.0 | 13.21 m9 | 1536 | 741 | 1621 655 | 1354] 744
Total benefits 586 | 28.0-| 442°} 260]. 5.15 | 281 538 | 259] 353 345 466 | 256
144 69 1.01 6.0 1.94 62 1.29 62 1.66 67 413 62
69 33 31 3.0 58 32 63 3.0 90 36 35 3.0
50 24 34 2.0 40 22 AS 22 53 21 40 22
19 3s 12 a a 6 16 8 AG & 14 B
06 3 04 2 05 3 05 2 7 3 05 3
Supplemental pay 63 3.0 A3 25 62 34 56 27 94 38 50 27
Premium 21 1.0 21 1.2 28 ws 20 1.0 62 25 7 9
Shift differentials 05 2 03 2 08 3 04 2 14 8 03 2
‘Nonproduction bonuses .. 38 18 18 Ww 28 1s 32 15 17. 7 30 1.6
1.33 64 98 58 1.18 64 1.09 53} 221 89 98 54
05 2 04 2 05 3 04 2 08 3 08 2
4.19 57 89 52 1.07 5B 1.00 48 2.02 82 89 49
‘Short-term disability 05 2 03 2 04 2 02 a 08 3 03 2
Long-term disability 03. a 03 2 02 4 03 a 03 + 02 1
Retirement and savings ... 83 3.0 48 28 62 34 ‘58 28 55 46 28
Defined benefit 26: 12 20 42 fs 29 16. 25 |).~ 12 42 fa 14 3
Defined contribution 37 18 29 Az 33 18; 33 1.6 13 32: 1S
Legally required benefits tat. { 86 1.49 88 fos 1.56 85. 1.84 89 94 157.

ity® 125 60 | 1.06 62 fycta2 | 64 | 126 64 ST. 112

100. J, 48 - 85 80°] "90 49. 101 49 46 90.

25 412 “20 12 fos Be 12 25 12 a 22

03 4 03 2 03. 52 03 aA A 03

State unemployment insurance 16 8 6 op” 5.09 5 “2 8 ‘6 40

Workers" compensation «. a7 18 B44) 22.0 82 Ww AD “20 28° 3
Other benefits 03 a 02" 1 04 2 02 A 09 4 02 4

‘The regional coverage is as follows: Northeast Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
and Vermont, South: Alabama, Arkansas; Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana; Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Okiahoma, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia;-Midwest: linois,: Indiana,
fowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South
Dakota, and Wisconsin; and West: Alaska, Arizona, Califomia, Colorado, Hawaii,
idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

2 includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule (such as.
‘overtime, weekends, and holidays).

3 Short-term .disabifiy. (previously, sickness and accident: insurance) includes all
insured, self-insured, and state-mandated plans that provide benefits for each disability,
including unfunded plans.

4 The total employers cost for Social: Security is comprised:of an OASDI portion’

and a Medicare portion, OASDI is the acronym for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability
Insurance.
5 Inctudes severance pay and. supplemental unemployment benefits.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.

i



1

Table 6. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private
industry workers, by major occupational group, March 1999

i
it |
Compensation All workers White-coltar Blue-coilar Service |
component |
Cost Percent ‘Cost Percent Cost Percent Cost Percent 1
Total compensation $19.00 100.0 | $23.02 | 1000 | $17.98 100.0 $9.58 100.0
Wages and salaries 13.87 73.0 17.02 73.9 12.51 69.6 744 77
Total benefits 5.13 27.0 6.00 26.1 5.48 305 - 214 223
Paid leave 1.20 63 1.63 7 98 55 38 40
Vacation 59 at 79 34 51 28 18 19
Holiday AV 22 +55 24 35 1.9 13 14
Sick 14 7 2 ) 08 A 06 6
Other. 05 3 07 3 04 2 02 2
‘Supplemental pay .... 55 29 61 26 69 38 16 WW j
Premium? 23 12 13 8 47 26 08 8 |
Shitt differentials 08 3 04 2 07 4 03 3 . |
Nonproduction bonuses .... 28 15 Aa 19 18 8 05 5 '
Insurance 1.13 59 1.28 56 1.30 72 143 45 |
Life .. 04 2 06 3 05 3 (2) (3) |
Health 1.03 54 AS 5.0 1.20 67 40 42 1
Short-term disabilit 04 2 04 2 04 2 (2) @) i
Long-term disability 02 a 04. 2 02 a (7) (3) . j
Retirement and savings oI 3.0 69 3.0 64:[. 36 13 44
Defined benefit 25 13 23 4.0 40 22 08 8
Defined contribution 32 V7 ° 46 2.0 24 . 43: 07 a
Legally required benefits 1.65. a7 bo 476 78 1.84 10.2 419.9 “
Social SecurityS 116 64 1.39 4 6.0 1.07 6.0 7.0
OASDI 83 49-} 1a 48 87 48 57
Medicare 23 12 2B fo. 42 20 41 14
Federal unemployment insurance 93 | 2 203 fe 03 |. 2 4
State unemployment insurance -10 5 10 4 12 7 9
‘Workers’ compensation 36 19 24 10 62 34 26 |
Other benefitsS 03 2 08 a 03 2 @) |
1 Includes premium pay. for work in addition to the regular work S The total employer's cost for Social Security. is. comprised of an
schedule (such as overtime, weekends, and holidays). OASDI portion and a Medicare portion... OASDI is the acronym for
2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less. Ol-Age, Survivors, and Disability. Insurance.
3 Less than .05 percent. § Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

4 Short-term disabifty (previously, sickness and accident insurance) -
includes all insured, self-insured, and state-mandated plans that provide Note: The sum of individual items may not equa! totals due to rounding:
benefits for each disability, including unfunded plans. .



8

Table 3. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: State and local

government, by selected characteristics,’ March 1999

All workers in State and | ‘ a 5
‘Compensation local governments White-collar occupations Service occupations Service industries
component
Cost Percent Cost Percent Cost Percent Cost Percent
Total compensation .. $28.00 j00.0 | $30.99 100.0 $21.23 100.0 $29.45 100.0
Wages and salaries . 19.78 70.6 22.44 Tek 13.74 647 21.50 73.0
Total benefits 8.22 294 8.55. 276 7.49 35.3 7.95 27.0
27 78 224 72 1.98 93 1.98 87
74 26 689 22 Ba 4.0 53 1.8
ral 25 74 24 63 3.0 66 22
55 20 62 2.0 37 17 59 20
7 6 “19 6 13 6 18 6
Supplemental pay 24 9 14 s St 24 AS 5
Premium .. i 4 04 1 25 12 05 2
Shift differential 08 2 04 1 13 8 05 2
Nonproduction bonuses 07 2 06 2 13 6 05 2
Insurance 79 2.35 7.6 1.84 a7 2.27 1
Life 2 08 2 04 2 105, 2
Health 76 2.25 73 1.76 83 2.47 7A
Short-term disability? . a 02 4 03 a 02 a
Long-term disability a] 03 1 02 a 03 a4
Retirement and savings ... 4.91 68 200225 6.5 4.80 85. 1.86" ae
Defined benefit 173 62 1820: 5.9, 172] 5. 84 4.69
Defined contribution 18 6 “20 s soa. fs 7 TM
Legally required benefits 1.64 59 4:76 57 4.33 63 1.66 56
Social Securi 1.31 47 |osctias 48 "86 at 142 48
_ OASDI 1.01 36 115 37 of. 31 1.10 87
tMedicare: 28. 4.0 283° 4A 320. 9 - 231 24,
Federal unemployment insurance () (8) 8) (8) (P). (8) @)
State unemployment insurance 03 fl] ~ 03 a 04 2 03
Workers’ compensation .. ~ 30 Ww 24 8 AB. 2.0 21
Other benefits” .. 04 a 05 2 04 2 05 2
1 This table presents data for the two major occupational groups in State . benefits for each disability, including unfunded plans.

and” focal govemments: | White-coliar ‘occupations, largely: professional
‘occupations, including teachers; and service occupations, including police and
firefighters; and one major industry group, services. The service industries,
Which include health and educational services, employ a large part of the State
and local government workforce.

2 Includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule
(such as overtime, weekends, and holidays).

3 Short-term disability (previously, sickness and accident insurance)
includes all insured, self-insured, and state-mandated plans that provide

4 ‘The total employer's cost for Social Security is comprised of ani OASD!
portion and a Medicare portion. OASDI is the acronym for. Old-Age, Survivors;
and Disability Insurance.

5 Cost per hour. worked is $0.01 or less.

§ Less than .05 percent.

7 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.



22

EXPLANATORY NOTES

Employer Costs for Employee Compensation measures the average cost per employee hour worked that
employers pay for wages and salaries and benefits.

Wages and salaries are defined as the hourly straight-time wage rate. For workers not paid on an hourly
basis, straight-time earnings are divided by the hours worked. Straight-time wage and salary rates are total
earnings before payroll deductions and include production bonuses, incentive pay, commissions, and cost-of-
living allowances. Not included in straight-time earnings are nonproduction bonuses, such as lump-sum
payments provided in place of wage increases, shift differentials, and premium pay for overtime and weekend
work; these payments are included in the benefits component.

Benefits include: paid leave--vacations, holidays, sick leave, and other leave; supplemental pay--
premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule (such as overtime, weekends, and holidays),
shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, and lump sum payments provided in place of wage increases;
insurance--life, health, short-term disability, and long-term disability; retirement and savings--defined benefit
and-defined contribution plans; legally required benefits--Social Security, Federal and State unemployment
insurance, and workers’ compensation; and other benefits--severance pay and supplemental unemployment.
benefits.

Thie'1999 Survey

“Employer Costs for Employee Compensation include‘data from both private industry and State and local
government. Not included are the self-employed and farm, household, and Federal government workers. Survey
_ data aré published annually with the payroll period that includes March 12 as the reference period.

The cost levels in this release are based on a sample of about 17,300 occupations within approximately
4,200 establishments in private industry and about 4,100 occupations within approximately 800 establishments
in State and local government. Sample establishments are classified by industry categories based on the 1987
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system, as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
Within a sample establishment, specific job categories are selected to represent broader major occupational
groups such as professional specialty and technical occupations.

Current employment weights are used to calculate cost levels. The March 1999 cost levels were
calculated using the March 1999 employment counts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment
Statistics (CES) program, benchmarked to the 1998 universe of all private nonfarm establishments. In most
instances, private industry employment counts were total employment estimates for 2-digit major industry
groups, such as primary metal manufacturing or food stores, as defined by the SIC system. In a few cases, 3-
and 4-digit industry employment counts were used. These include the 4-digit aircraft manufacturing industry
(3721) and the 3-digit health care and educational industries. In transportation and public utilities, Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) coding changes that were introduced with the 1996 CES benchmark were not
incorporated into the 1997 estimates. However, they were incorporated into the 1998 and 1999 estimates. The
effect of this coding change was not analyzed for years prior to 1997, but is thought to be minimal. For more
information on the SIC coding changes, see “BLS Establishment Estimates Revised to Incorporate March 1996
Benchmarks” in the June 1997 issue of Employment and Earnings. For State and local governments,
employment counts ranged from those for 3-digit industries, such as education and health care, to those for
major industry divisions, such as public administration.



4

Notes »

BLS is evaluating Employment Cost Index (ECI) and Employer Costs for Employee Compensation
(ECEC) publication standards. The first phase of this evaluation, a review of the statistical reliability of the ECI
series, is complete. To improve the quality of the ECI and ECEC estimates, the sample size is being increased
and other initiatives, such as revising collection procedures, are being explored. All series will continue to be
published until further notice. Employer Costs for Employee Compensation standard errors for major industry
and occupational categories are available in the appendix of this release.

Table of Contents: . :

Table 1. Civilian workers, by major occupational group 6
Table. 2. Civilian workers, by occupational and industry group 7
Table 3. State and local government, by selected characteristics 8
Table 4, State and local government, by, occupational and industry group 9
Table 5. ’ . Private industry, by major industry group © : oe 10>
Table 6. Private industry, by major occupational group.” *: D : : 11
Table.7... . Private industry, by region and. bargaining status: - Wale OED 12°
Table 8, _ .. Private industry, by establishment-employment size vO 13
Table 9. Private industry, by major occupational and industry group; and full-time |

and part-time status 14 |
Table 10. __ Private industry, by occupational and industry group : S|
Table 11. ” Private industry, workers in goods-producing and service-producing industries, by |

occupational group . 16
Table 12. Private industry, workers in manufacturing and nonmanufacturing industries, by

occupational group 17
Table 13. Private industry, by bargaining status, and major industry and occupational group 18
Table 14. Private industry, by establishment employment size, and major industry and

occupational group 19
Table 15. Private industry, health services, by industry and occupational group 20
Table 16. Private industry, transportation equipment manufacturing and public utilities,

by industry and occupational group 21
Explanatory notes 22

Appendix table. Employer costs per hour worked for components of compensation, and relative |
standard errors, by major industry and occupational categories, March 1999 25



15

Table 10. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
workers, by occupational and industry group, March 1999

Benefit costs
Total | Wages
Series compen- | and Supple- Retirement] Legally | Grae
sation | salaries Paid | mental and required
Total | teave | pay | svrance | ovings | benefits | Oenetits!
Cost per hour worked
All workers in private industry $19.00 | $1387} $5.13] $120] soss| $1.13 | $057 $1.65 $0.03
Occupational group
‘White-collar occupations 23.02 | 1702 | 600{ 163 61 1.28 69 176 | 03
Professional specialty and technical 30.38 | 22477; 791} 230 87 1.60 99 231 05
Professional specialty 32.05 | 2383] 822] 244 69 1.84 99 2.40 05
Technical .. 26.16 | 1902 | 7.139} 192 62 1.48 97 2.08 07
Executive, administrative, and managerial 35.20 | 2547 | 973} 295] 135 1.74 114 2.43 4
Sales 16.13 | 1264 | 3.49 69 44 66 35 1.34 (2)
Administrative support, including clerical 16.39 | 11.89 | 450] 1.13 35 1.25 48 127 02
Blve-collar occupations 1798 | 1251] 5.48 98 63 130 64 1.84 03 |
Precision production, craft, and repair 24.12 | 1678 | 7.34} 140 86 1.68 96 2.40 05
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors . 76.90 | 11.41 | 549] 1.04 82 1.46 50 1.61 05
‘Transportation and material moving 17.64 | 1237 | 528 85 61 1.23 63 1.94 (?)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers 12.67 9.06 | 3.61 53 42 82 43 1.40 (2)
‘Service occupations 9.58 7.44 2.14 38 6 43 13 1.04 (?)
industry group
Goods-producing industries 22.86 7.02 241.
Construction 22.64. 6.51 2.66 (7) i
Manufacturing 22.77 Tat 1.93 |
Durables -. 24.66. 7.91 2.10 12 |
Nondurables "19.98 5.94 167 02 j
‘Sérvice-producing industries 17.82 455 1.51 02
‘Transportation and public utilities 24.65 7.60 2.13 06
Wholesale trade .. 21.47 8.87 177. 02 i
Retail trade .. 10.64, 223 1.40 (?) |
Finarice, insurance, and real esta 25.11 7.30 171 04 |
Sewices 18.76 459 1.55 (7) I
: |
Percent of totat compensation
All workers in private industry 100.0 73.0 | 27.0 63 29 59 30 87 02
Occupational group
White-collar occupations ...... 100.0 73.9 -| 26.1 7A 26 58 3.0 76 4
Professional specialty and technical 400.0 74.0 4 26.0 76 22 53 33 | 76 2
i 100.0 744 | 25.6 76 22 51 34 75 2
100.0 727 | 273) 73 24 57 37 80 3
100.0 724 | 276 84 33 49 32 7A 2
100.0, 7e4 | 216 43 27 44 22 83 (Sy
Administrative support, including clerical 100.0 725 | 275 69 24 76 29 7 4
Blue-collar occupations .. 100.0 696 | 305 85 38 72 36 102 2
Precision production, craft, and repair 100.0 696 | 304 58 36 69 40 10.0 2
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors 100.0 675 | 325 62 49 86 3.0 95 3
‘Transportation and material moving .... 100.0 yor | 209} 48 35 70 36 11.0 (8)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers | 100.0 715 | 251 42 33 65 34 11.0 (8)
‘Service occupations ... 100.0 77 | 234 40 17 45 or 109 (5)
Industry group
Goods-producing industries? .. 100.0 63 | 307] 66 37 73 a7 92 3
Construction 100.0 712 | 238 32 3.0 61 48 WT ()
100.0 688 | 312 7.6 39 76 a3 85 4
100.0 679 | 321 77 43 78 32 85 5 i
Nondurables .. 100.0 73 | 27] 73 33 73 35 84 a '
‘Service-producing industries 100.0 744 | 255 62 26 54 27 a5 a
‘Transportation and public uti 100.0 692 | 308 73 3.0 72 45 86 2 i
Wholesale rade 100.0 723 | 277 61 33 67 33 84 A |
Retail trade 100.0 790 } 210 38 Ww 38 14 10.3 (5)
Finance, insurance, and real estate 400.0 709 | 294 72 49 63 37 68 2
Services 100.0 755 24.5 65 20 54 24 83 (5)
2, Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits. retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and service industries.
2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less. 5 Less than .05 percent.

: Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing.
“ Includes transportation, communication, and public uilities; wholesale and Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.


17

Table 12. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
manufacturing and nonmanufacturing workers, by occupational group, March 1999

Benefit costs
Total | Wages
Series compen- and ‘Supple- Retirement! Legally Other |
sation | salaries Paid | mental and | required i
Total | eave | “pay | surance | couitas | Gatltge | benefits?
Cost per hour worked
All workers, manufacturing industries $1566 | $7.11]. $1.73] soso} si7a | so7zs | $193 | $0.08
White-collar occupations 2237 | ass |. 273 a7 197 1.06 225 a
Professional specialty and technical 3692 | 2647 | 1045} 339 ve | 227 127 2.66 43
Professional specialty .. 3966 | 2865 | 11.01] 3.72 5 | 234 1.35 2.80 115 i
Technical 2880 | 20.00 | 880} 244 31 2.08 1.02 225 10 |
Executive, admi a 4371 | 3123} 1247] 406| 140] 228 169 2:90 18 i
Administrative suppor, including clerical 739 | 1298 | S03] 126 42 1.50 43 1.36 08
Blue-collar occupations ... 1399 | 12668 | 632] 1.28 94 1.63 62 1.79 07
Precision production, craft, and repait 25.15 | 1659 | 856]. 200] 124.) 204 88 227 113
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors 780 | 1184 | 595] 1.14 ‘1 1.60 56 1.67 07
Transportation and material moving _ 1794 | 1221 | 5.63 99 93 1.38 45 1.86 ‘02
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ...} 14.16 972 | 44a} 74 60 118 48 1.42 02
Service occupations .. W776 11.55 6.22 4.23 8S 1.72 54 1.79 07
All workers, nonmanufacturing industries 1320 | 1349 | 471} - 1.09 48 1.01 53 1.59 02
White-collar occupations . 2203 | 1638 | ses] 149 ‘59 1.20 64 170 02
Professional specialty and technical : 2905 | 2166 |. 7.39 |.: 207 66 1.46 33 224°} 03
Professional specialty 30.42 22.80. 762 2.17 70 1.49 92 2.32 02
Technical 2569 | 1885 | aa] - 1.83 ‘57 1.37 36 2.05 06
Executive, administrative, and managetial - 3386 | 2456} 920| 278]. “1134 1166 1.05 2.43
Sale: 1592 | 1250 | 341| ez] . 43 65 34 132 | (2)
Administrative support, including clerical - ye27 | 1184 | 44a] 4.12 34 122 48 126 02
Blue-collar occupations i738 | “1241 | 497 |. - 20 1 86 er} (2)
Precision production, craft, and repail 2370 | 1686+} 684} 4:16 151 100°] 245°] (2)
‘Transportation and material moving yer |. 71299 | S24.) laa 121 ‘87 495°} (2)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers 12.32 8.90] 34t}i2 "48 74" at 140}. (2)
“Service occupations gar fee7as-} 206 |. a6 | aa 40 a2 fo oa" |. (2)
Percent of total compensation
All workers, manufacturing industries tooo |>:6as fvst2]-.76] 39 78 33 as 04
White-collar occupations 1000 | “716 | 204 )> a7] 25 63 34 72 4
Professional specialty and technical woo | 717 | 223] 92] 20 61 34 72 4
Professional specialty ooo | 722 | 278] 94] 16 59 34 74 4
_ Technical . woo | 64 | sos]. a5-| 32 72 35 78 3
Executive, administrative, and managerial ~ 100.0 | 714 {-2as| 93]. 32 52 39 66 3
Administrative support, including clerical. 100.0 mia | 29 |° 72} 24 a6 25 78 3
Blue-collar occupations . 10.0 | 657 | 333] 67] 49 as 33 94 4
Precision production, repai 100.0 660 | 340] so] 49 an 35 9.0 5
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors 100.0 ees | 334{ 64] 54 90 31 94 4
Transportation and material moving -.. wooo | eas | ais] 55] 52 77 25 10.4 a]
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers wooo | e86 | 314{ s2|° 42 83 34 10.0 a
Service occupations . a" 100.0 650 | 350] 68 5.0 97 30 10.1 4
All workers, nonmanutacturing industries tooo | 741 | 259] so} 26 55 29 a7 a
White-collar occupations -| 1000 | 744 | 257] eB | 27 54 29 77 a
Professional specialty and technical -| 100.0 76 | 254] 74 23 50 32 77 4
Professional specialty 100.0 70 | 250] 7.4 23 49 30 78 a
Technicat 100.9 734 | 2e6{ 71 22 53 37 80 2
Executive, administrative, and manageral 400.0 725 | 275| 82] 40 49 at 72 a
Sales se wooo | ves | 214} 42] 27 at 24 83 (3)
‘Administrative Support, including clerical ~. -| 100 | 728 | 273} 69] 21 78 30 77 a
Blue-collar occupations .. 100.0 via | 286} 46] 30 64 38 108 (3)
Precision production, craft, and repair wooo | 711 | zag] 49] 30 64 42 103 (3)
‘Transportation and material moving wooo j 7o4 | axe] 474 31 69 38 114 (3)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers 100.0 v2] a7{ 39] 34 60 33 114 @)
Service occupations tooo | 7a1 | a9} se 18 43 13 10.9 ()
7 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.
2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less. Note: The sum of ingividual items may not equal totals due to rounding.
3 Less than .05 percent.



3
plans, which averaged 25 cents (1.3 percent), and for defined contribution plans, which averaged 32 cents (1.7
percent). Defined benefit plans specify a formula for determining future benefits, while defined contribution
plans specify employer contributions, but do not guarantee future benefits.

Employer retirement and savings costs varied by industry, occupation, bargaining status, region, and
establishment size.

Retirement and savings costs were higher in goods-producing (84 cents per hour, or 3.7 percent of total
compensation) than in service-producing (49 cents per hour, or 2.7 percent of total compensation) industries.
Defined benefit plan costs represented a greater proportion of employer costs (relative to defined contribution
plans) in goods-producing than in service-producing industries. (See table 5.)

The average cost per hour worked for retirement and savings was 69 cents for white-collar occupations,
64 cents for blue-collar occupations, and 13 cents for service occupations. The proportion of total compensation
represented by retirement and savings benefits was 3.6 percent among blue-collar occupations, 3.0 percent for
white-collar occupations, and 1.4 percent for service occupations. (See table 6.)

Retirement and savings costs were higher, both in average dollar amount per hour and as a proportion of:
total compensation, for union workers ($1.37, or 5.5 percent of total compensation) than for nonunion: workers.
(46 cents, or 2.5 percent of total compensation): ‘Defined benefit plan costs.represented a'greater proportion of
employer costs (relative to defined contribution plans) for union workers than for nonunion workers. (See table

a) 7 :

Retirement and savings costs ranged from.48 cénts per hour iri the South to 63 cents inthe Noitheast.
The proportion of total compensation represented by retirement and savings‘ varied slightly among regions: (See
table 7.)

Retirement and savings costs increased, both in average dollar amount per hour and as a proportion of
total compensation, with establishment size. Establishments with fewer than 100 employees averaged 39-cents
(2.4 percent), establishments with 100-499 employees averaged 53 cents (2.9 percent), and establishments with
500 or more employees averaged $1.05 (4.0 percent). (See table 8.)

State and local government

Jn March 1999, employer costs in State and local governments averaged $28.00 per hour worked.
Wages and salaries, which accounted for 71 percent of the total, averaged $19.78, while benefits, which
accounted for the remaining 29 percent, averaged $8.22. (See table 3.)

Average hourly compensation costs were higher for white-collar occupations ($30.99) than for blue-
collar ($21.94) and service occupations ($21.23). (See table 4.) Benefits accounted for about the same
proportion of total compensation in blue-collar occupations (34.0 percent) and service occupations (35.3
percent); for white-collar occupations, benefits represented 27.6 percent of total compensation.



2
In March 1999, average employer compensation costs were $24.75 per hour for union workers and
$18.20 for nonunion workers. Benefits represented a greater proportion of compensation costs for union
workers (34.5 percent) than for nonunion workers (25.6 percent). These compensation cost differences reflect
variations in the distribution of union and nonunion workers among occupations, industries, and establishment
size, as well as union/nonunion status. (See table 13.)

Among the four regions, compensation costs ranged from $16.97 per hour in the South to $20.94 in the
Northeast. The proportion of compensation represented: by benefits ranged from 25.9 percent in the West to
28.1 percent in the Midwest. (See table 7.)

Compensation costs increased with establishment size. These costs ranged from an average of $16.27
per hour in establishments with fewer than 100 workers to $26.37 in establishments with 500 or more workers.
The proportion of compensation costs represented by benefits also increased with establishment size, from 24.5
percent in establishments with fewer than 100 workers to 30.3 percent in establishments with 500 or more
workers. (See table 8.)

Compensation costs for full-time workers averaged $21.55 per hour compared with $10.20 for part-time
workers. Benefit costs represented. a greater proportion of compensation-costs for full-time workers than for
part-time workers (28.2 percent compared with 18.7 percent): (See table:9.) Workers are classified as full time

Pet

or part time according to the practices-of surveyed establishments.':Part-time employees are. typically scheduled:

to work fewer hours than full-time employees i in the same’ work activity:

: Health ‘benefit costs in »puivate industry :

Tn March 1999, ‘private industry health benefit costs averaged $11 03 per hour, or 5:4 "percent.of total
compensation. Employer health benefit costs varied by industry, occupation, bargaining status, region, and
establishment size.

in goods-producing industries; health benefit costs were $1.52 per hour (6.6 percent of total
compensation) compared with 88 cents (4.9 percent of total compensation) for service-producing industries.
(See table 5.)

Employer costs for health benefits ranged from 40 cents, or 4.2 percent of total compensation, for
service occupations to $1.20 per hour, or 6.7 percent of total compensation, for blue-collar occupations. In
white-collar occupations, employer costs for health benefits averaged $1.15, or 5.0 percent of compensation.
(See table 6.)

Employer costs for health benefits were higher for union workers, averaging $2.02 per hour (8.2
percent), than for nonunion workers, averaging 89 cents (4.9 percent). (See table 7.)

Among the four regions, costs for health benefits ranged from 89 cents per hour in the South to $1.19 in
the Northeast. (See table 7.) Health benefit costs increased, both in average dollar amount and as a proportion
of total compensation, with establishment size. Establishments with fewer than 100 workers averaged 77 cents
(4.7 percent), those with 100-499 employees averaged $1.01 (5.6 percent), and those with 500 or more
employees averaged $1.64 (6.2 percent). (See table 8.)

Retirement and savings benefit costs in private industry

In March 1999, the average cost for retirement and savings benefits was 57 cents per hour in private

industry (3.0 percent of total compensation). Included in this amount were employer costs for defined benefit ~



13

Table 8. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry
workers, by establishment employment size, March 1999

All workers in private 1-99 100-499
Compensation industry workers 100 workers or more woners 500 or more workers
component

Cost_| Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent | Cost | Percent

Total compensation $19.00 | 100.0 | $16.27 | 100.0 | s2i.88 | 100.0 | $18.14 {| 1000 | $2637 | 100.0
Wages and salaries 13.87 73.0 | 12.29 755 | 15.54 71.0 | 13.17 726 | 1837 69.7
Total benefits 5.13 27.0 3.98 24.5 6.35 23.0 497 274 8.00 30.3
1.20 63 83 54 1.58 72 1 61 2.15 82

58 34 40 25 80 37 55 3.0 1.09 44

41 22 -30 18 53 24 38 24 n 27

14 7 10 6 19 3 14 8 25 3

05 3 03 2 07 3 05 3 10 4

Supplemental pay 55 29 40 25 nm 32 58 32 87 33
Premium? 23 12 16 1.0 30 14 25 14 35 13
‘Shitt differentials 05 3 (7) @) 03 4 05 3 13 5
Nonproduction bonuses 28 15 23 14 33 18 28 15 39 15
13 59 84 52 1.44 66 112 62 1.83 69

04 2 03 2 06 3 104 2 07 3

1.03 54 a7 47 1.30 5.9 1.01 56 1.64 62

Short-term disal 04 2 202 a 05 2 04 2 07 3
Long-term disal 02 a 202 a] 03 a 02 1 05 2
Retirement and savings ST 3.0 39 24 76 38 53 29 4.05 40
Defined benefit 25 13 4 2 38 16 21 12 55 24
Defined contribution 32 17 25 15 40 18 32 18 50 19
Legally required benefits 1.65 87 151 93 4.80 B2 1.62 a9 2.01 76
Social SecurityS 4.16 64 1.02. “63 4.30 59.) 4.10 61 1.54 58
‘OASDI 93 49 83 54 1.04 48 589 49 4.23 47
Medicare 23 1.2 “20 12 26 12 22 12 31 12
Federal unemployment insurance 03 2 03 2 “03 a 03 2 03 a
State unemployment insurance: 10 5 10 & 10 5 W & 10 A
Workers’ compensation 38 19 135 22 36 16 38 24 wh 13
Other benefits 03 2) 8) | ® 05 24. \02 a 09 3

1 Includes premium pay for work in addition to the regular work schedule

(such as overtime, weekends, and holidays).
2 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
3 Less than .05 percent.

* Short-term disability (previously, sickness and accident. insurance)
includes ail insured, sellinsured, and state-mandated plans that provide

benefits for each disability, including unfunded plans.

5 The total employer's cost for Social Security is comprised of an OASDI
portion and a Medicare portion. OASDI is the acronym for Old-Age, Survivors,
and Disability Insurance.

© Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.



16

Table 11. Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation and costs as a percent of total compensation: Private industry

goods-producing and service-producing workers, by occupational group, March 1999

2 Includes mining, construction, and manufacturing.
3 Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.

4 Includes transportation, communication, and public utilities; wholesale and

5 Less than .05 percent.

Benefit costs
Total Wages
Series compen- | and ‘Supple- Retirement} Legally } Omer
sation | salaries Paid | mental and | required ot
Total leave pay insurance savings benefits benefits’
Cost per hour worked
All workers, goods-producing industries? $15.84 | $7.02] $1.50] soss | sies | so.s4 $2.14 $0.06
White-coilar occupations .. 22.09 8.68 2.58 7g 1.91 1.01 229 03
Professional specialty and technical .. 26.55 | 1034] 3.34 72 224 1.24 2.66 13
Professional specialty .. 28.91 10.97 3.63 67 232 1.33 2.82 14
Technical , 1966 | 851} 2.33 88 2.01 99 221 09
Executive, administrative, and managerial .. 42.12 | 30.04 | 1208] 366] 1.44 220 159 311 32
Administrative suppor, including clerical WAT 1227 4.90 1.18 45 1.47 At 1.36. 05
Bive-collar occupations q993 | 1352] 641] 1.09 87 1.57 78 2.05 05
Precision production, pail asi2 | 1718 | 7.95) 133 95 1.83 114 2.64 07
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors wai | 1192] 599} 114 92 1.61 S7 1.69 06
‘Transportation and material moving .. 19.41 12.88 623 93 1.02 1.45 73 2.09 (3)
Handlers, equioment cleaners, helpers, and laborers 14.25 997 |. 428 58 53 39 53 1.66 (3)
Service occupations .. 1677 | 11:05} 572] 1.08 82 1.56 50 171 06
All workers, service-producing industries* 17.82 13.26 455 4a 46 49 1.51 02
White-collar occupations. . 21eo.| 1628 | sei} 1.49 ‘59 64 1.68 02
Professional specialty and technical .. 2a93 | 21.56 | --7.97:} “2.06 66 93 223 03
Professional speciatty 3022 | 2265 | 757| .215, 70 91 2.30 02
‘Technical 25.76 | 1890 |. 6a6| . 1.84 57 7 2.05 06
Executive, administrative, and managerial 33.63 | 2443 |. 920) .2.79 |» .-1.34. 1.04 2.35 04
Sale: 1586 |. 12.45.]-. 3.49 7 43. 34 1.32 3)
Administrative support, including clerical .. 16.28 |. 11.84 ¥ - 2 49 126 02
Blue-collar occupations 15.76 :| 11.34 48 1:89 8. (8)
__.Precision production, craft, and repair 22.45. |: 16.13 68 1.99: .
“Transportation and materia! moving .. 17.17, 412.20 60 "| . 1.89 3)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers 14.91 B62 38 1.28 @)
‘Service occupations ...... 9.42. |. 7.36 2 1.03 (3)
-All workers, goods-producing industries? 400.0 693. |-30.7 F i866 37 73 37 92 03
White-collar occupations .. 100.0 TAB e 4282. foe 84. | on 26 62. 33 7A 3
Professional specialty and technical 100.0 720 | 280} 94 20 6.4 34 72 4
Professional specialty 100.0 725-4. 275] 93 7 5B: 33 7A 4
Technical . 100.0 698-| 302 |. 83 34 7A 35 78 3
Executive, administrative, and managerial 100.0 713 | 237] 87 33 52 38 74 3
Administrative support, including clerical 100.9 715 | 25] 69 26 a6 24 79 3
Blue-collar occupations _ 100.0 678 | 922 | 55 44 79 39 10.3 3
Precision production, craft, and repai 400.0 634. | 316 | 53 38 73 45 105 3
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors 100.0 66 | 34] 64 54 90 32 94 3
‘Transportation and material moving 100.0 674 | g26| 49 53 76 38 10.9 (3)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ....} 100.0 700 | 30.0} 39 37 69 37 11.6 (8)
Service occupations 100.0 659 | 344 64 49 93 3.0 10.2 4
All workers, service-producing industries* 400.0 744} 255 | 62 26 54 27 85 a
White-collar occupations 100.0 744 | 256} 68 27 54 29 7 A
Professional specialty and technical 100.0 745 | 25} 7.4 23 59 32 77 a
Prot i 100.0 750 | 20} 7.4 23 49 3.0 76 a
Technical 400.0 734 | 266] 74 22 53 38 8.0 2
Executive, administrative, and managerial 100.0 726 | 274 | a3 40 49 31 7.0 a
Sales ... 100.0 7a5 | 215} 42 27 at 24 a3 (5)
Administrative support, including clerical .. 100.0 727 | 273| 69 20 74 3.0 77 a
Blue-collar occupations .... 100.0 720 | 220 | 54 3.0 63 3.0 10.5 @)
Precision production, craft, and repair 100.0 718 | 2a2] 68 32 62 3.0 89 a
‘Transportation and material moving 100.0 wit | 2a9} 48 28 68 35 14.0 @)
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ...| 100.0 724 | 276 | 44 31 62 32 107 @)
Service occupations ... 100.0 7e1 | 219] 39 15 42 13 109 ()
1 Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits. retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and service industries.

Note: The sum of individual items may not equal totals due to rounding.