The average cost for a U.S. private sector employee was $41.53/hr in September 2023, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The report shows the average salary for a private sector employee was $29.34, with an average benefits cost of $12.19. The private sector figure lags behind the compensation for the nation's civilian workforce, which averaged $43.93/hr with benefits factored in.
The wages and salaries for private sector employees accounted for 71%
of employer costs, while the $12.19 benefits costs accounted for the
remaining 29%
The total employer compensation costs for state and local government workers averaged $59.90/hr. Compensation for federal workers was not available.