The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wages paid by private industry employers in March 2007 averaged $18.34 per hour worked (70.8 percent of total compensation), while benefits average $7.58 (29.2 percent). The last BLS report on employer costs for compensation for December 2006 showed an average $25.67 per hour worked. The average cost of health benefits was $1.83 per hour worked, or 7.1 percent of total compensation in March 2007. Health benefit costs have been steadily increasing as a percent of total compensation over the last 10 years, according to the report; and employer costs for health benefits were significantly higher for union workers (averaging $3.81 per hour) than for non-union workers (averaging $1.60 per hour). See Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2007 for the full report. Private Sector Compensation Averages $25.91 Per Hour, Up Since Dec.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wages paid by private industry employers in March 2007 averaged $18.34 per hour worked (70.8 percent of total compensation), while benefits average $7.58 (29.2 percent). The last BLS report on employer costs for compensation for December 2006 showed an average $25.67 per hour worked. The average cost of health benefits was $1.83 per hour worked, or 7.1 percent of total compensation in March 2007. Health benefit costs have been steadily increasing as a percent of total compensation over the last 10 years, according to the report; and employer costs for health benefits were significantly higher for union workers (averaging $3.81 per hour) than for non-union workers (averaging $1.60 per hour). See Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2007 for the full report.