Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until USDL 17-0298 

8:30 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, March 8, 2017 

Technical information: (202) 691-5606 • dprweb@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/lpc

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS

Fourth Quarter and Annual Averages 2016, Revised

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased at a 1.3-percent annual rate during the fourth

quarter of 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output increased 2.4 percent and 

hours worked increased 1.0 percent. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally 

adjusted annual rates.) From the fourth quarter of 2015 to the fourth quarter of 2016, productivity 

increased 1.0 percent, reflecting increases in output and hours worked of 2.2 percent and 1.2 percent, 

respectively. (See chart 1 and table A1.) Annual average productivity increased 0.2 percent from 2015 to 

2016. (See table C1.) 

Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of 

hours worked of all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers. Measures 

released today were based on more recent source data than were available for the preliminary report.

Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, 

reflecting a 3.0-percent increase in hourly compensation and a 1.3-percent increase in productivity. Unit 

labor costs increased 2.0 percent over the last four quarters. (See chart 2 and tables A1 and 2.) 

Historical Revisions to Productivity and Costs Data 

Data in this release reflect the annual benchmark revision of BLS Current Employment Statistics 

program data on nonfarm employment and hours, and the revised seasonal adjustment of those data. The 

data also reflect an improvement in the methodology for estimating hours worked. See Revised 

measures on page 2.

Chart 1. Labor productivity, nonfarm business, all persons, 

2012Q1 – 2016Q4

-10.0

-8.0

-6.0

-4.0

-2.0

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

From previous quarter, annual rate

From same quarter a year ago

Percent change Percent change

Chart 2. Unit labor costs, nonfarm business, all persons, 

2012Q1 – 2016Q4

-10.0

-8.0

-6.0

-4.0

-2.0

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

From previous quarter, annual rate

From same quarter a year ago
-2- 

BLS calculates unit labor costs as the ratio of hourly compensation to labor productivity. Increases in 

hourly compensation tend to increase unit labor costs, and increases in output per hour tend to reduce 

them.

Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 2.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, as output 

increased 1.6 percent and hours worked decreased 0.4 percent. Output per hour increased 1.5 percent in

the durable goods manufacturing sector and 2.7 percent in the nondurable goods sector. Over the last 

four quarters, manufacturing sector productivity increased 0.5 percent, as output increased 0.5 percent 

and hours worked were unchanged. (See tables A1, 3, 4, and 5.) Unit labor costs in manufacturing

increased 2.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016 and rose 2.1 percent from the same quarter a year 

ago. Hourly compensation increased 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. 

The concepts, sources, and methods used for the manufacturing output series differ from those used in 

the business and nonfarm business output series; these output measures are not directly comparable. See 

the Technical Notes for a more detailed explanation. (See page 6.) 

Revised measures 

Quarterly and annual measures of hours and related series–including productivity–were revised 

historically for all major sectors. The revisions incorporate revised Current Employment Statistics (CES) 

program data published February 3, 2017. From 2012 to 2016, the data were subject to revision as a 

result of annual benchmarking of CES data and revised seasonal adjustment of those data. Prior to 2012, 

there were small revisions due to CES coverage changes affecting selected industries. Revisions to hours 

data also reflect an improvement to methodology for estimating hours worked, including the 

incorporation of detailed industry ratios of hours worked to hours paid, provided by the National 

Compensation Survey; the historical revisions due to this methodological change affected quarterly data 

back to 1989 and annual data back to 1990. (For more information see www.bls.gov/lpc/hwhpnew.htm.) 

Index measures related to hours show full historical revisions because the 2009 base year values were 

revised. In addition to revisions to hours data, third quarter, fourth quarter, and annual average data for 

2016 were revised to incorporate regular updates of source data on output and compensation. 

Revised and previous measures for the fourth quarter of 2016 are shown in table B1 for the business, 

nonfarm business, and manufacturing sectors. In the fourth quarter of 2016, nonfarm business 

productivity was not revised, increasing at the same 1.3-percent rate reported February 2; both output 

and hours worked were revised up slightly to rates of 2.4 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively. Unit 

labor costs were not revised, increasing at the same 1.7-percent rate as previously reported.

Manufacturing productivity increased 2.0 percent rather than 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, 

reflecting both an upward revision to output and a downward revision to hours. Because the upward 

revision to productivity was larger than an upward revision to hourly compensation, manufacturing unit 

labor costs increased 2.4 percent, rather than the 3.3-percent rate reported in the preliminary release. 

(See table B1.) 

In the third quarter of 2016, nonfarm business productivity growth was revised down slightly to an 

increase of 3.3 percent, due solely to a small upward revision to hours. Unit labor costs increased 0.7 

percent, more than previously reported, reflecting a downward revision to productivity and a 0.4-

percentage point upward revision to hourly compensation. In the manufacturing sector, productivity was 

unchanged from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2016, as previously reported. Unit labor costs 

were revised up and increased 4.1 percent, rather than 3.3 percent as previously reported, reflecting an 

upward revision to hourly compensation. (See table B2.) Nonfinancial corporate sector productivity 

increased 6.3 percent in the third quarter of 2016, slightly lower than previously reported, with the 
-3- 

revision due solely to an upward revision to hours. (See table A2.) 

Table C1 presents annual average changes for the most recent 5 years for the nonfarm business sector 

and the total manufacturing sector. Annual average changes in productivity, output, and hours for the 

nonfarm business sector in 2016 were the same as the preliminary estimates: productivity grew 0.2 

percent, output increased 1.7 percent, and hours worked increased 1.5 percent. Productivity increased at 

an average annual rate of 0.6 percent over the last 5 years (2011 to 2016), well below the long-term rate 

of 2.1 percent from 1947 to 2016. 

Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector rose 2.6 percent in 2016, reflecting increases of 2.9 

percent in hourly compensation and 0.2 percent in productivity. Real hourly compensation, which takes 

into account changes in consumer prices, increased 1.6 percent in 2016. In each of the last 3 years (2014, 

2015, and 2016), real hourly compensation growth has outpaced productivity growth; prior to 2014, the 

last year in which real hourly compensation had grown faster than productivity was 2000. 

In the manufacturing sector, productivity increased 0.3 percent in 2016, similar to the 0.2-percent rate 

in 2015; in both years productivity was revised down due to an upward revision to hours worked. 

Manufacturing productivity increased at an average annual rate of 0.5 percent over the last 5 years (2011 

to 2016), which is well below the growth rate of 3.2 percent from 1987 to 2016. Unit labor costs 

increased 2.7 percent in 2016, rather than 2.6 percent as reported February 2. (See table C1.) 

Quarterly and annual data for all sectors from 2014 to 2016 appear in tables 1-6. Full historical 

measures can be found on the Productivity and Costs home page, www.bls.gov/lpc/#data. 

______________ 

The preliminary Productivity and Costs news release for first-quarter 2017 is scheduled to be 

released on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
-4- 

Table A1. Labor productivity growth and related measures – revised fourth-quarter 2016

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate and from same quarter a year ago)

Sector Percent change from:

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfarm Business Previous quarter 1.3 2.4 1.0 3.0 -0.4 1.7

A year ago 1.0 2.2 1.2 3.0 1.2 2.0

Business Previous quarter 2.0 2.3 0.3 3.9 0.4 1.9

A year ago 1.2 2.3 1.1 3.2 1.3 2.0

Manufacturing Previous quarter 2.0 1.6 -0.4 4.4 0.9 2.4

A year ago 0.5 0.5 0.0 2.6 0.8 2.1

 Durable

 Manufacturing

Previous quarter 1.5 1.4 -0.1 4.2 0.7 2.6

A year ago 1.3 1.0 -0.2 2.7 0.9 1.4

 Nondurable

 Manufacturing

Previous quarter 2.7 1.7 -1.0 4.8 1.3 2.0

A year ago -0.6 -0.2 0.3 2.4 0.5 2.9

Table A2. Labor productivity growth and related measures – revised and previously published third-quarter 2016

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate)

Sector

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfinancial

Corporations

Revised 6.3 7.8 1.5 3.9 2.2 -2.2

Previously published 6.5 7.8 1.2 4.1 2.4 -2.2

Table B1. Labor productivity growth and related measures – revised and previously published fourth-quarter 2016

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate)

Sector

 Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfarm Business Revised 1.3 2.4 1.0 3.0 -0.4 1.7

Previously published 1.3 2.2 0.9 3.0 -0.4 1.7

Business Revised 2.0 2.3 0.3 3.9 0.4 1.9

Previously published 2.0 2.2 0.2 3.9 0.4 1.8

Manufacturing Revised 2.0 1.6 -0.4 4.4 0.9 2.4

Previously published 0.7 0.8 0.0 4.1 0.6 3.3

 Durable

 Manufacturing

Revised 1.5 1.4 -0.1 4.2 0.7 2.6

Previously published 0.1 0.7 0.7 3.9 0.4 3.8

 Nondurable

 Manufacturing

Revised 2.7 1.7 -1.0 4.8 1.3 2.0

Previously published 1.8 0.8 -1.0 4.3 0.8 2.4
-5- 

Table B2. Labor productivity growth and related measures – revised and previously published third-quarter 2016

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate) 

Sector

 Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfarm Business Revised 3.3 4.2 0.8 4.1 2.4 0.7

Previously published 3.5 4.2 0.6 3.7 2.1 0.2

Business Revised 3.7 4.3 0.6 4.3 2.7 0.6

Previously published 3.9 4.3 0.4 4.0 2.3 0.0

Manufacturing Revised 0.0 0.7 0.7 4.1 2.4 4.1

Previously published 0.0 0.6 0.5 3.4 1.7 3.3

 Durable

 Manufacturing

Revised 2.1 2.3 0.2 4.3 2.6 2.2

Previously published 2.1 2.2 0.1 3.8 2.1 1.7

 Nondurable

 Manufacturing

Revised -2.7 -1.2 1.5 3.8 2.1 6.6

Previously published -2.7 -1.5 1.3 2.6 1.0 5.5

Table C1. Labor productivity growth and related measures – annual average changes: 2012-2016

Sector Year

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfarm Business 2016 0.2 1.7 1.5 2.9 1.6 2.6

2015 0.9 3.1 2.1 2.9 2.8 2.0

2014 0.8 3.0 2.2 2.8 1.1 2.0

2013 0.3 2.0 1.7 1.2 -0.3 0.9

2012 0.9 3.1 2.2 2.6 0.5 1.7

Manufacturing 2016 0.3 0.3 0.0 3.0 1.7 2.7

2015 0.2 1.2 1.0 2.4 2.3 2.2

2014 0.1 1.7 1.5 2.8 1.1 2.7

2013 0.1 1.0 0.8 0.2 -1.3 0.0

2012 1.7 4.1 2.3 1.7 -0.4 0.0
-6- 

TECHNICAL NOTES

Labor Hours 

Hours data for the labor productivity and cost measures include hours worked for all persons working in the 

sector—wage and salary workers, the self-employed and unpaid family workers. The primary source of 

hours and employment data is the BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) program, which provides 

monthly survey data on the number of jobs held by wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments, 

counting a person who is employed by two or more establishments at each place of employment. The CES 

also provides average weekly paid hours of production and nonsupervisory workers in these establishments. 

Weekly paid hours are adjusted to hours worked using data from the National Compensation Survey (NCS) 

for 1996 forward and data from the BLS Hours at Work survey, conducted for this purpose, prior to 1990. 

Between 1990 and 1995, weekly paid hours are adjusted to hours at work using a combination of NCS and 

Hours at Work survey data. The Office of Productivity and Technology estimates average weekly hours at 

work for nonproduction and supervisory workers using information from the Current Population Survey 

(CPS), the CES, and the NCS. 

Data from the CPS are used to estimate hours worked for farm labor, nonfarm proprietors, and nonfarm 

unpaid family workers. Using CPS information on employment and hours worked at primary jobs and all 

other jobs, separately, the BLS productivity measures assign all hours worked to the appropriate industrial 

sector. Hours for government enterprises are derived from the CPS, the CES, and the National Income and 

Product Accounts (NIPA) prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the Department of 

Commerce.

Output

Business sector output is a chain-type, current-weighted index constructed after excluding from gross 

domestic product (GDP) the following outputs: general government, nonprofit institutions, and private 

households (including owner-occupied housing). Corresponding exclusions also are made in labor hours. 

Business output accounted for about 75 percent of the value of GDP in 2016. Nonfarm business, which 

excludes farming, also accounted for about 75 percent of GDP in 2016. 

Annual indexes for manufacturing and its durable and nondurable goods components are constructed by 

deflating current-dollar industry value of production data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census with deflators 

from the BLS. These deflators are based on data from the BLS producer price program and other sources. 

The industry shipments are aggregated using annual weights, and intrasector transactions are removed. 

Quarterly manufacturing output measures are based on the indexes of industrial production prepared monthly 

by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, adjusted to be consistent with annual indexes of 

manufacturing sector output prepared by BLS. 

Nonfinancial corporate output is a chain-type, current-weighted index calculated on the basis of the costs 

incurred and the incomes earned from production. The output measure excludes the following outputs from 

GDP: general government; nonprofit institutions; private households; unincorporated business; and those 

corporations classified as offices of bank holding companies, offices of other holding companies, or offices 

in the finance and insurance sector. Nonfinancial corporations accounted for about 50 percent of the value of 

GDP in 2015. 

Labor Productivity

The measure describes the relationship between real output and the labor time involved in its production. 

Measures of labor productivity growth show the changes from period to period in the amount of goods and 

services produced per hour worked. They reflect the joint effects of many influences, including changes in 

technology; capital investment; level of output; utilization of capacity, energy, and materials; the 

organization of production; managerial skill; and the characteristics and effort of the work force. 
-7- 

Labor Compensation 

The measure includes accrued wages and salaries, supplements, employer contributions to employee benefit 

plans, and taxes. Estimates of labor compensation by major sector, required for measures of hourly 

compensation and unit labor costs, are based primarily on employee compensation data from the NIPA, 

prepared by the BEA. The compensation of employees in general government, nonprofit institutions and 

private households are subtracted from compensation of employees in domestic industries to derive 

employee compensation for the business sector. The labor compensation of proprietors cannot be explicitly 

identified and must be estimated. This is done by assuming that proprietors have the same hourly 

compensation as employees in the same sector. The quarterly labor productivity and cost measures do not 

contain estimates of compensation for unpaid family workers. 

Unit Labor Costs 

These measures describe the relationship between compensation per hour and labor productivity, or real 

output per hour, and can be used as an indicator of inflationary pressure on producers. Increases in hourly 

compensation increase unit labor costs; labor productivity increases offset compensation increases and lower 

unit labor costs. 

Presentation of the data

The quarterly data in this release are presented in three ways: as percent changes from the previous quarter 

presented at a compound annual rate, as percent changes from the corresponding quarter of the previous 

year, and as index number series where 2009=100. Annual data are presented both as index number series 

and percent changes from the previous year. 

The index numbers and rates of change reported in the productivity and costs news release are rounded to 

one decimal place. All percent changes in this release and on the BLS web site are calculated using index 

numbers to three decimal places. A complete historical series of these index numbers are available at the 

BLS web site, www.bls.gov/data/home.htm, or by contacting the BLS Division of Major Sector Productivity 

(Telephone 202-691-5606 or email dprweb@bls.gov). 

For a more detailed explanation of methodology see "Technical Information About the Major Sector 

Productivity and Costs Methods" at www.bls.gov/lpc/lpcmethods.pdf. 

Information in this release will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice 

phone: 202-691-5606; Federal Relay Service number: 1-800-877-8339. 
-8- 

Table 1. Business sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and prices,

seasonally adjusted.

 Real

 Hourly hourly Unit Implicit

Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor price

and produc- Hours sation sation labor payments deflator

quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (3) (4)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2016 ANNUAL 0.3 1.8 1.5 2.8 r 1.6 r 2.5 -1.1 r 1.0 

2016 IV 2.0 2.3 r 0.3 r 3.9 0.4 1.9 r 1.5 r 1.7 r

 III 3.7 r 4.3 0.6 r 4.3 r 2.7 r 0.6 r 1.2 r 0.8 

 II -0.3 r 1.6 2.0 5.7 r 3.1 r 6.0 -3.0 2.1 

 I -0.7 0.8 1.5 -1.1 -0.8 r -0.4 1.4 0.4 

2015 ANNUAL 0.8 3.1 2.3 2.8 2.7 2.0 -1.0 0.7 

2015 IV -2.1 r 0.8 3.0 r 3.3 r 2.5 r 5.6 r -6.8 r 0.1 

 III 2.1 r 2.1 -0.1 r 2.8 r 1.4 r 0.6 1.4 r 0.9 

 II 1.3 r 3.0 1.7 r 5.0 r 2.4 r 3.6 0.0 2.1 

 I 0.8 r 2.3 1.5 r 1.7 r 4.7 r 0.9 -2.1 -0.4 

2014 ANNUAL 0.6 3.0 2.3 2.6 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.6 

2014 IV -1.6 r 2.8 4.5 r 3.4 r 3.7 r 5.1 -6.5 -0.1 

 III 3.4 6.4 2.9 3.1 r 2.3 -0.2 3.3 1.3 

 II 1.5 r 5.0 3.5 r -2.2 r -4.1 r -3.6 10.5 r 2.3 

 I -3.6 -2.0 1.6 6.4 r 4.1 10.4 -8.9 1.5 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2016 ANNUAL 0.3 1.8 1.5 2.8 r 1.6 r 2.5 -1.1 r 1.0 

2016 IV 1.2 2.3 r 1.1 r 3.2 r 1.3 r 2.0 r 0.2 r 1.3 

 III 0.1 1.9 1.8 3.0 r 1.9 r 2.9 r -1.9 r 0.9 

 II -0.3 1.3 1.6 r 2.6 1.5 2.9 -1.8 0.9 

 I 0.1 1.7 1.5 r 2.5 1.4 2.3 -1.1 0.9 

2015 ANNUAL 0.8 3.1 2.3 2.8 2.7 2.0 -1.0 0.7 

2015 IV 0.5 2.1 1.5 r 3.2 r 2.7 2.6 -1.9 0.7 

 III 0.6 r 2.6 1.9 3.2 3.1 2.5 -1.8 0.6 

 II 0.9 3.6 2.7 3.3 3.3 2.3 -1.4 0.7 

 I 1.0 4.1 3.1 1.5 1.6 0.5 1.1 0.8 

2014 ANNUAL 0.6 3.0 2.3 2.6 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.6 

2014 IV -0.1 3.0 3.1 2.7 1.4 r 2.8 -0.7 1.3 

 III 1.3 3.6 2.3 2.4 0.6 1.0 2.6 1.7 

 II 0.9 3.1 2.2 1.7 r -0.3 0.9 3.1 1.8 

 I 0.5 r 2.1 1.6 r 3.8 r 2.3 r 3.3 -1.0 1.4 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2009=100

2016 ANNUAL 106.5 r 119.7 r 112.4 r 117.5 r 105.0 r 110.3 r 110.5 r 110.4 r

2016 IV 107.4 r 121.0 r 112.7 r 119.3 r 105.6 r 111.1 r 110.7 r 111.0 r

 III 106.9 r 120.3 112.6 r 118.2 r 105.5 r 110.6 r 110.3 r 110.5 

 II 105.9 r 119.1 112.4 r 116.9 r 104.8 r 110.4 r 110.0 r 110.3 

 I 106.0 r 118.6 111.9 r 115.3 r 104.0 r 108.8 r 110.8 r 109.7 

2015 ANNUAL 106.2 r 117.6 110.7 r 114.2 r 103.4 r 107.5 111.7 r 109.3 

2015 IV 106.2 r 118.3 111.5 r 115.7 r 104.2 r 108.9 r 110.5 r 109.6 

 III 106.7 r 118.1 110.6 r 114.7 r 103.6 r 107.5 r 112.4 r 109.5 

 II 106.2 r 117.5 110.7 r 113.9 r 103.2 r 107.3 r 112.0 r 109.3 

 I 105.8 r 116.6 110.2 112.6 r 102.6 r 106.4 r 112.0 r 108.7 

2014 ANNUAL 105.4 r 114.1 108.3 r 111.1 r 100.7 r 105.4 r 112.9 r 108.5 

2014 IV 105.6 r 115.9 109.8 r 112.1 r 101.4 r 106.1 r 112.6 r 108.9 

 III 106.0 r 115.1 108.6 r 111.2 r 100.5 r 104.8 r 114.5 r 108.9 

 II 105.2 r 113.4 107.8 r 110.3 r 99.9 r 104.9 r 113.6 r 108.5 

 I 104.8 r 112.0 106.9 r 110.9 r 101.0 r 105.8 r 110.8 r 107.9 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. March 8, 2017

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-9- 

Table 2. Nonfarm business sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and

prices, seasonally adjusted.

 Real

 Hourly hourly Unit Implicit

Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor price

and produc- Hours sation sation labor payments deflator

quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (3) (4)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2016 ANNUAL 0.2 1.7 1.5 2.9 r 1.6 r 2.6 -0.8 r 1.2 

2016 IV 1.3 2.4 r 1.0 r 3.0 -0.4 1.7 2.0 r 1.8 r

 III 3.3 r 4.2 0.8 r 4.1 r 2.4 r 0.7 r 1.6 r 1.1 

 II -0.1 r 1.6 1.7 6.1 3.5 r 6.2 -2.8 2.3 

 I -0.6 0.7 1.4 -1.0 r -0.7 r -0.3 2.1 0.7 

2015 ANNUAL 0.9 3.1 2.1 2.9 2.8 2.0 -0.4 1.0 

2015 IV -2.0 r 0.8 2.9 r 3.6 r 2.7 r 5.7 -6.2 0.5 

 III 1.8 r 1.8 0.0 r 2.7 r 1.3 r 0.8 1.1 1.0 

 II 1.0 r 3.1 2.0 r 4.6 r 2.1 r 3.5 r -0.1 2.0 

 I 1.2 r 2.4 1.2 r 1.9 r 4.9 r 0.7 -0.2 r 0.4 

2014 ANNUAL 0.8 3.0 2.2 2.8 1.1 2.0 1.3 1.7 

2014 IV -1.4 r 2.7 4.2 r 3.7 r 4.1 r 5.2 -6.3 0.1 

 III 4.1 r 6.5 2.3 3.9 3.0 -0.2 4.5 1.8 

 II 1.7 r 5.1 3.3 r -2.1 r -4.0 r -3.7 9.8 1.9 

 I -3.7 -1.8 2.0 6.1 r 3.8 10.2 -9.2 1.4 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2016 ANNUAL 0.2 1.7 1.5 2.9 r 1.6 r 2.6 -0.8 r 1.2 

2016 IV 1.0 2.2 1.2 r 3.0 r 1.2 r 2.0 r 0.7 r 1.5 

 III 0.1 1.8 1.7 3.2 r 2.0 r 3.0 r -1.4 r 1.1 

 II -0.2 r 1.2 1.5 2.8 r 1.7 r 3.1 -1.5 1.1 

 I 0.0 1.6 1.6 2.4 1.4 r 2.4 -0.8 1.0 

2015 ANNUAL 0.9 3.1 2.1 2.9 2.8 2.0 -0.4 1.0 

2015 IV 0.5 r 2.0 1.5 r 3.2 r 2.8 r 2.7 -1.4 0.9 

 III 0.6 r 2.5 1.9 r 3.2 3.1 2.6 -1.4 0.8 

 II 1.2 3.7 2.4 r 3.5 3.5 2.3 -0.6 1.0 

 I 1.4 4.2 2.8 r 1.8 r 1.9 r 0.5 1.8 1.0 

2014 ANNUAL 0.8 3.0 2.2 2.8 1.1 2.0 1.3 1.7 

2014 IV 0.1 r 3.1 3.0 r 2.9 1.7 2.7 -0.6 1.3 

 III 1.6 3.8 2.2 2.6 0.8 1.0 3.0 1.8 

 II 1.0 3.1 2.1 1.9 -0.2 r 0.9 3.4 2.0 

 I 0.4 r 2.0 1.6 r 3.9 r 2.4 r 3.4 -0.4 1.8 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2009=100

2016 ANNUAL 106.7 119.8 r 112.3 r 117.7 r 105.2 r 110.4 r 110.6 r 110.5 r

2016 IV 107.4 r 121.1 r 112.8 r 119.4 r 105.7 r 111.2 r 111.1 r 111.1 r

 III 107.0 r 120.4 112.5 r 118.5 r 105.8 r 110.8 r 110.5 r 110.6 

 II 106.1 r 119.1 112.2 r 117.3 r 105.2 r 110.6 r 110.1 r 110.3 

 I 106.2 r 118.7 111.8 r 115.6 r 104.3 r 108.9 r 110.9 r 109.7 

2015 ANNUAL 106.4 r 117.8 110.7 r 114.5 r 103.6 r 107.5 r 111.5 109.2 

2015 IV 106.3 r 118.5 111.4 r 115.9 r 104.4 r 109.0 r 110.3 r 109.5 

 III 106.9 r 118.2 110.6 r 114.9 r 103.7 r 107.5 r 112.1 r 109.4 

 II 106.4 r 117.7 110.6 r 114.1 r 103.4 r 107.3 r 111.8 r 109.1 

 I 106.1 116.8 110.1 r 112.9 r 102.9 r 106.3 r 111.8 r 108.6 

2014 ANNUAL 105.5 r 114.3 108.4 r 111.2 r 100.8 r 105.4 r 111.9 r 108.1 

2014 IV 105.8 r 116.1 109.7 r 112.3 r 101.6 r 106.1 r 111.8 r 108.5 

 III 106.2 r 115.3 108.6 r 111.3 r 100.6 r 104.8 r 113.7 r 108.5 

 II 105.1 r 113.5 108.0 r 110.2 r 99.9 r 104.9 r 112.4 r 108.0 

 I 104.7 r 112.1 107.1 r 110.8 r 100.9 r 105.9 r 109.8 r 107.5 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. March 8, 2017

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-10- 

Table 3. Manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor costs,

seasonally adjusted.

 Real

Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit

and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor 

quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2016 ANNUAL 0.3 r 0.3 r 0.0 r 3.0 r 1.7 r 2.7 r

2016 IV 2.0 r 1.6 r -0.4 r 4.4 r 0.9 r 2.4 r

 III 0.0 0.7 r 0.7 r 4.1 r 2.4 r 4.1 r

 II -0.9 r -1.0 -0.1 r 7.6 r 4.9 r 8.5 

 I 0.9 r 0.6 -0.3 r -5.3 r -4.9 r -6.1 

2015 ANNUAL 0.2 r 1.2 1.0 r 2.4 r 2.3 r 2.2 

2015 IV -1.4 r -0.5 0.9 r 7.9 r 7.1 r 9.5 

 III 3.2 r 1.9 -1.2 r 3.9 r 2.5 r 0.7 

 II 0.6 r 0.6 0.0 r 4.5 r 1.9 r 3.8 

 I -0.9 r -1.4 -0.4 r -1.1 r 1.8 r -0.2 

2014 ANNUAL 0.1 1.7 1.5 r 2.8 1.1 2.7 

2014 IV -1.2 r 2.7 4.0 r 3.6 r 3.9 r 4.9 

 III 1.4 r 2.8 1.4 r 3.4 r 2.6 r 2.0 

 II 1.4 r 5.3 3.9 r -3.1 r -5.0 r -4.4 

 I 1.2 r -0.3 -1.5 r 10.8 r 8.4 r 9.5 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2016 ANNUAL 0.3 r 0.3 r 0.0 r 3.0 r 1.7 r 2.7 r

2016 IV 0.5 r 0.5 r 0.0 r 2.6 0.8 r 2.1 r

 III -0.3 r -0.1 0.3 r 3.5 r 2.3 r 3.8 r

 II 0.4 r 0.2 -0.2 r 3.4 r 2.3 r 3.0 

 I 0.8 r 0.6 -0.2 r 2.6 r 1.5 r 1.8 

2015 ANNUAL 0.2 r 1.2 1.0 r 2.4 r 2.3 r 2.2 

2015 IV 0.3 r 0.1 -0.2 r 3.7 r 3.3 r 3.4 

 III 0.4 r 1.0 0.6 r 2.7 r 2.5 r 2.3 

 II 0.0 1.2 1.2 2.6 2.6 2.6 

 I 0.1 2.4 2.2 r 0.7 r 0.8 r 0.5 

2014 ANNUAL 0.1 1.7 1.5 r 2.8 1.1 2.7 

2014 IV 0.7 2.6 1.9 3.6 2.3 r 2.9 

 III 0.6 r 2.4 1.8 r 2.4 0.7 r 1.8 

 II -0.4 1.5 2.0 1.8 -0.3 2.2 

 I -0.4 r 0.0 0.5 3.4 r 1.9 3.8 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2009=100

2016 ANNUAL 119.9 r 129.3 r 107.8 r 113.9 r 101.9 r 95.0 r

2016 IV 120.3 r 129.7 r 107.8 r 116.0 r 102.6 r 96.4 r

 III 119.7 r 129.2 r 107.9 r 114.7 r 102.4 r 95.8 r

 II 119.7 r 128.9 107.7 r 113.6 r 101.8 r 94.9 r

 I 120.0 r 129.3 107.7 r 111.5 r 100.6 r 93.0 r

2015 ANNUAL 119.5 r 128.8 107.8 r 110.6 r 100.1 r 92.5 

2015 IV 119.7 r 129.1 107.8 r 113.0 r 101.8 r 94.4 r

 III 120.1 r 129.2 107.6 r 110.9 r 100.1 r 92.3 r

 II 119.2 r 128.6 107.9 r 109.8 r 99.5 r 92.1 r

 I 119.0 r 128.4 107.9 r 108.6 r 99.0 r 91.3 r

2014 ANNUAL 119.3 r 127.4 106.8 r 108.0 r 97.9 r 90.5 r

2014 IV 119.3 r 128.9 108.0 r 109.0 r 98.6 r 91.3 

 III 119.7 r 128.0 107.0 r 108.0 r 97.7 r 90.2 r

 II 119.3 r 127.1 106.6 r 107.1 r 97.0 r 89.8 

 I 118.9 r 125.5 105.6 r 107.9 r 98.3 r 90.8 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. March 8, 2017

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-11- 

Table 4. Durable manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor

costs, seasonally adjusted.

 Real

Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit

and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor

quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2016 ANNUAL 0.8 r 0.5 r -0.3 r 3.2 r 1.9 r 2.4 

2016 IV 1.5 r 1.4 r -0.1 r 4.2 r 0.7 r 2.6 r

 III 2.1 2.3 r 0.2 r 4.3 r 2.6 r 2.2 r

 II 2.3 r 0.6 -1.7 r 9.9 r 7.2 r 7.5 

 I -0.7 r -0.1 0.6 r -6.7 r -6.4 r -6.0 

2015 ANNUAL 0.0 0.5 0.5 2.9 r 2.8 2.9 

2015 IV -2.0 r -1.4 0.6 r 9.5 r 8.6 r 11.8 

 III 4.4 r 2.3 -2.1 r 3.2 r 1.9 r -1.2 r

 II 1.1 r 0.5 -0.5 r 4.0 r 1.5 r 2.9 

 I -2.9 r -4.0 -1.1 r 0.8 r 3.8 r 3.8 

2014 ANNUAL 0.6 r 2.8 2.1 2.3 r 0.7 1.7 

2014 IV -0.3 r 1.9 2.3 4.3 4.6 4.7 

 III 0.7 r 3.7 3.0 r 3.3 r 2.5 2.6 

 II 1.4 r 7.2 5.6 r -3.4 r -5.3 r -4.7 

 I 1.9 r 0.4 -1.5 r 11.1 r 8.6 r 9.0 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2016 ANNUAL 0.8 r 0.5 r -0.3 r 3.2 r 1.9 r 2.4 

2016 IV 1.3 r 1.0 r -0.2 2.7 0.9 1.4 r

 III 0.4 r 0.3 -0.1 r 4.0 2.8 3.6 r

 II 1.0 r 0.3 -0.6 r 3.8 r 2.7 r 2.8 

 I 0.7 r 0.3 -0.4 r 2.3 r 1.3 r 1.7 

2015 ANNUAL 0.0 0.5 0.5 2.9 r 2.8 2.9 

2015 IV 0.1 r -0.7 -0.8 r 4.3 r 3.9 r 4.2 

 III 0.5 r 0.2 -0.4 r 3.1 r 2.9 r 2.5 

 II -0.4 0.5 0.9 3.1 3.1 3.5 

 I -0.3 r 2.1 2.4 r 1.2 r 1.3 r 1.5 

2014 ANNUAL 0.6 r 2.8 2.1 2.3 r 0.7 1.7 

2014 IV 0.9 r 3.3 2.3 r 3.7 r 2.5 r 2.8 

 III 1.0 3.9 2.9 1.7 -0.1 0.7 

 II 0.3 3.0 2.7 r 1.2 r -0.8 0.9 

 I 0.3 1.0 0.7 2.7 1.3 2.4 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2009=100

2016 ANNUAL 122.0 r 134.5 r 110.3 r 113.3 r 101.2 r 92.9 r

2016 IV 122.8 r 135.3 r 110.2 r 115.4 r 102.1 r 94.0 r

 III 122.3 r 134.8 r 110.2 r 114.2 r 102.0 r 93.4 r

 II 121.7 r 134.1 110.1 r 113.0 r 101.3 r 92.9 r

 I 121.0 r 133.9 110.6 r 110.4 r 99.5 r 91.2 r

2015 ANNUAL 121.0 r 133.8 110.6 r 109.7 r 99.3 r 90.7 

2015 IV 121.2 r 133.9 110.4 r 112.3 r 101.2 r 92.6 r

 III 121.9 r 134.4 110.3 r 109.8 r 99.1 r 90.1 r

 II 120.6 r 133.6 110.9 r 108.9 r 98.7 r 90.4 r

 I 120.2 r 133.5 111.0 r 107.9 r 98.3 r 89.7 r

2014 ANNUAL 121.0 r 133.1 110.1 r 106.6 r 96.6 r 88.1 

2014 IV 121.1 r 134.8 111.3 r 107.6 r 97.4 r 88.9 r

 III 121.2 r 134.2 110.7 r 106.5 r 96.3 r 87.9 r

 II 121.0 r 132.9 109.9 r 105.7 r 95.7 r 87.3 r

 I 120.6 r 130.7 108.4 r 106.6 r 97.0 r 88.4 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. March 8, 2017

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-12- 

Table 5. Nondurable manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor

costs, seasonally adjusted.

 Real

Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit

and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor

quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2016 ANNUAL -0.4 r 0.1 r 0.5 r 2.7 r 1.4 r 3.1 r

2016 IV 2.7 r 1.7 r -1.0 4.8 r 1.3 r 2.0 r

 III -2.7 -1.2 r 1.5 r 3.8 r 2.1 r 6.6 r

 II -5.3 r -2.9 2.5 r 3.6 r 1.1 r 9.4 

 I 3.3 r 1.4 -1.7 r -2.6 r -2.3 r -5.7 

2015 ANNUAL 0.2 r 1.9 1.7 r 1.5 r 1.4 r 1.3 

2015 IV -0.8 r 0.6 1.4 r 5.1 r 4.3 r 5.9 r

 III 1.1 r 1.4 0.3 r 5.2 r 3.8 r 4.0 

 II -0.3 r 0.7 1.0 r 5.5 r 2.9 r 5.8 

 I 1.1 r 1.8 0.7 r -4.6 r -1.7 r -5.6 

2014 ANNUAL 0.1 r 0.6 0.5 r 3.6 r 1.9 r 3.5 

2014 IV -3.1 r 3.7 7.1 r 2.5 r 2.8 r 5.8 

 III 3.1 r 1.9 -1.1 r 3.4 r 2.5 r 0.3 

 II 2.3 r 3.3 1.0 r -2.8 r -4.8 r -5.0 

 I 0.6 r -1.0 -1.6 r 10.3 r 7.9 r 9.7 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2016 ANNUAL -0.4 r 0.1 r 0.5 r 2.7 r 1.4 r 3.1 r

2016 IV -0.6 r -0.2 r 0.3 r 2.4 r 0.5 2.9 r

 III -1.4 r -0.5 r 0.9 r 2.4 r 1.3 r 3.9 r

 II -0.5 r 0.1 0.6 r 2.8 r 1.7 r 3.3 

 I 0.8 r 1.0 0.2 r 3.2 r 2.1 r 2.4 

2015 ANNUAL 0.2 r 1.9 1.7 r 1.5 r 1.4 r 1.3 

2015 IV 0.3 r 1.1 0.8 r 2.7 r 2.3 r 2.4 

 III -0.3 r 1.9 2.2 r 2.1 r 1.9 r 2.4 

 II 0.2 r 2.0 1.9 r 1.6 r 1.6 r 1.5 

 I 0.8 2.7 1.9 r -0.4 -0.3 -1.2 

2014 ANNUAL 0.1 r 0.6 0.5 r 3.6 r 1.9 r 3.5 

2014 IV 0.7 2.0 1.3 3.3 r 2.0 2.6 

 III 1.0 r 1.0 0.0 r 3.7 r 2.0 r 2.8 

 II -0.6 r 0.2 0.7 r 2.7 r 0.6 r 3.3 

 I -0.8 r -0.7 0.1 r 4.5 r 3.0 r 5.3 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2009=100

2016 ANNUAL 112.5 r 116.8 r 103.8 r 114.7 r 102.5 r 101.9 r

2016 IV 112.3 r 116.7 r 103.9 r 116.5 r 103.1 r 103.7 r

 III 111.6 r 116.2 r 104.2 r 115.1 r 102.7 r 103.2 r

 II 112.3 r 116.6 103.8 r 114.0 r 102.2 r 101.5 r

 I 113.9 r 117.5 103.2 r 113.0 r 101.9 r 99.3 r

2015 ANNUAL 113.0 r 116.6 103.2 r 111.7 r 101.1 r 98.8 

2015 IV 112.9 r 117.0 103.6 r 113.8 r 102.5 r 100.7 r

 III 113.2 r 116.8 103.2 r 112.4 r 101.4 r 99.3 

 II 112.9 r 116.4 103.2 r 111.0 r 100.5 r 98.3 r

 I 112.9 r 116.2 102.9 r 109.5 r 99.8 r 96.9 r

2014 ANNUAL 112.7 r 114.4 101.5 r 110.0 r 99.7 r 97.6 r

2014 IV 112.6 r 115.7 102.7 r 110.8 r 100.2 r 98.3 r

 III 113.5 r 114.7 101.0 r 110.1 r 99.5 r 97.0 r

 II 112.7 r 114.1 101.3 r 109.2 r 98.9 r 96.9 r

 I 112.0 r 113.2 101.0 r 109.9 r 100.1 r 98.1 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. March 8, 2017

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-13- 

Table 6. Nonfinancial corporate sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs,

unit profits, and prices, seasonally adjusted.

 Real

 Hourly hourly Unit Total Implicit

Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor unit Unit price

and produc- Hours sation sation labor costs costs profits deflator

quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (6) (7) (8) (4)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2016 III 6.3 r 7.8 1.5 r 3.9 r 2.2 r -2.2 -4.5 -3.0 15.6 -0.7 

 II -1.2 0.2 1.4 5.7 3.1 7.0 1.0 5.0 -17.2 1.8 

 I 1.3 1.9 0.6 -1.9 -1.6 -3.2 -12.1 -6.1 30.7 -2.0 

2015 ANNUAL 0.8 r 3.0 2.2 2.9 2.8 2.2 0.8 1.7 -6.4 0.5 

2015 IV -1.4 r 1.6 3.0 r 2.5 r 1.6 r 3.9 14.9 7.3 -36.4 0.1 

 III 1.2 r 3.0 1.8 r 1.7 r 0.3 r 0.5 0.3 0.4 -0.4 0.3 

 II -2.3 r -1.3 1.1 r 3.7 r 1.2 r 6.2 3.8 5.4 -13.9 2.4 

 I 2.2 r 3.5 1.3 r 5.9 r 9.0 r 3.6 -2.0 1.8 -14.4 -0.8 

2014 ANNUAL 0.3 3.0 2.7 2.5 0.8 2.2 0.5 1.6 2.4 1.7 

2014 IV 1.1 r 4.3 3.2 r 1.9 r 2.2 r 0.8 -0.6 0.3 -4.9 -0.5 

 III 3.0 r 5.9 2.8 r 2.0 r 1.2 r -1.0 -1.1 -1.0 16.2 1.4 

 II 0.3 r 5.8 5.5 r -3.0 r -4.9 r -3.3 -1.0 -2.6 37.8 2.4 

 I 0.6 2.3 1.6 9.2 r 6.8 r 8.6 0.7 6.0 -19.6 1.9 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2016 III 1.2 r 2.8 1.6 r 2.5 r 1.3 r 1.3 -0.6 0.7 -5.6 -0.2 

 II 0.0 r 1.7 1.7 r 1.9 0.9 r 2.0 0.6 1.5 -9.0 0.0 

 I -0.3 1.3 1.6 1.5 r 0.4 1.8 1.3 1.6 -8.1 0.2 

2015 ANNUAL 0.8 r 3.0 2.2 2.9 2.8 2.2 0.8 1.7 -6.4 0.5 

2015 IV -0.1 r 1.7 1.8 3.4 3.0 r 3.5 4.1 3.7 -17.3 0.5 

 III 0.5 2.4 1.8 3.3 3.1 r 2.7 0.4 2.0 -8.6 0.3 

 II 1.0 r 3.1 2.1 3.4 r 3.4 r 2.4 0.0 1.6 -5.0 0.6 

 I 1.6 r 4.9 3.2 r 1.7 1.8 0.0 -1.2 -0.4 6.8 0.6 

2014 ANNUAL 0.3 3.0 2.7 2.5 0.8 2.2 0.5 1.6 2.4 1.7 

2014 IV 1.3 4.5 3.2 2.5 1.2 r 1.2 -0.5 0.6 5.2 1.3 

 III 0.9 3.8 2.9 2.3 0.5 r 1.4 0.2 1.0 7.2 1.9 

 II -0.7 2.1 2.9 r 1.7 r -0.3 2.5 1.2 2.1 2.8 2.2 

 I -0.2 r 1.6 1.9 3.5 r 2.0 r 3.7 1.0 2.8 -5.9 1.5 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2009=100

2016 III 107.5 r 123.5 114.9 r 117.0 r 104.5 r 108.9 100.3 106.0 139.4 109.5 

 II 105.9 r 121.2 114.5 r 115.9 r 103.9 r 109.5 101.4 106.8 134.5 109.7 

 I 106.2 r 121.2 114.1 r 114.3 r 103.1 r 107.7 101.2 105.5 141.0 109.2 

2015 ANNUAL 106.1 r 119.9 113.0 r 113.9 r 103.1 r 107.3 101.5 105.4 145.1 109.5 

2015 IV 105.9 r 120.6 113.9 r 114.9 r 103.5 r 108.5 104.5 107.2 131.8 109.8 

 III 106.2 r 120.1 113.1 r 114.2 r 103.1 r 107.5 100.9 105.3 147.6 109.7 

 II 105.9 r 119.3 112.6 r 113.7 r 103.0 r 107.4 100.8 105.2 147.8 109.6 

 I 106.5 r 119.6 112.3 r 112.7 r 102.7 r 105.8 99.9 103.8 153.4 109.0 

2014 ANNUAL 105.3 r 116.4 110.5 r 110.6 r 100.3 r 105.0 100.7 103.6 155.1 109.0 

2014 IV 106.0 r 118.6 111.9 r 111.1 r 100.5 r 104.8 100.4 103.3 159.5 109.2 

 III 105.7 r 117.4 111.1 r 110.6 r 100.0 r 104.6 100.5 103.3 161.5 109.4 

 II 104.9 r 115.7 110.3 r 110.0 r 99.7 r 104.9 100.8 103.5 155.5 109.0 

 I 104.8 r 114.1 108.9 r 110.8 r 100.9 r 105.8 101.1 104.2 143.6 108.3 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. March 8, 2017

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-14- 

SOURCES: Output data are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau of the U.S. 

Department of Commerce; the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor; and the Federal 

Reserve Board. Hours and compensation data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of 

Economic Analysis.

RELIABILITY: Productivity and cost measures are regularly revised as more complete information 

becomes available. The measures are first published within 40 days of the close of the reference period; 

revisions appear 30 days later, and second revisions after an additional 60 days. In the business sector, the 

third publication (second revision) of a quarterly index of output per hour of all persons has differed from the 

initial value by between –1.6 and 1.4 index points approximately 95 percent of the time. This interval is 

based on the performance of this measure between the fourth quarter of 1995 and the third quarter of 2016. 

Table Footnotes 

(1) Wages and salaries of employees plus employers' contributions for social insurance and private benefit 

plans. Except for nonfinancial corporations, where there are no self-employed, data also include an estimate

of wages, salaries, and supplemental payments for the self-employed. 

(2) The change for recent quarters is based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers 

(CPI-U). The trend from 1978-2015 is based on the Consumer Price Index research series (CPI-U-RS).

(3) Unit nonlabor payments include profits, consumption of fixed capital, taxes on production and imports 

less subsidies, net interest and miscellaneous payments, business current transfer payments, rental income of 

persons, and the current surplus of government enterprises.

(4) Current dollar output divided by the output index. 

(5) Quarterly changes: Percent change compounded at annual rate is calculated using index numbers to three 

decimal places. Indexes published in the news release are rounded to one decimal place for convenience. 

Annual changes: Percent change is calculated using annual indexes to three decimal places.

(6) Unit nonlabor costs include consumption of fixed capital, taxes on production and imports less subsidies, 

net interest and miscellaneous payments, and business current transfer payments. 

(7) Total unit costs are the sum of unit labor and nonlabor costs.

(8) Unit profits include corporate profits before tax with inventory valuation and capital consumption 

adjustments.