$49.46
Average employer cost per civilian worker hour
Wages and salaries averaged $33.85, while benefits averaged $15.61 per hour in June 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2026 ↗Reference guide
U.S. HR & workforce statistics
Current, citable data on compensation, benefits, and the HR talent market for business leaders, writers, and advisors.
Last updated November 3, 2026. Figures are national U.S. estimates or projections and may not reflect every industry, location, or workforce.
Compensation
The full cost of employing people
Pay is only part of the employment-cost picture. These figures help frame the broader planning conversation.
30.0%
Of private-sector compensation was benefits
Private-sector employer compensation averaged $46.89 per hour in June 2026, including $14.07 in benefits.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2026 ↗3.4%
Annual rise in civilian compensation costs
For the 12 months ending September 2026, wages rose 3.1% and benefit costs rose 3.9%.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2026 ↗Benefits
Access and participation are different measures
Access shows what an employer makes available. Participation shows what employees use.
71%
Of private-industry workers had access to medical care plans
Forty-six percent participated in a plan in March 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2026 ↗72%
Of private-industry workers had access to retirement benefits
Fifty-two percent participated. Seventy percent had access to defined-contribution plans.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2026 ↗89%
Of full-time civilian workers had access to medical care benefits
By comparison, 23% of part-time workers had access in March 2026.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2026 ↗HR talent market
The people who carry the people work
The HR profession is projected to grow faster than the average occupation, while the work itself spans hiring, pay, benefits, policies, and employee relations.
939,700
Human resources specialist jobs in 2025
The median annual wage for HR specialists was $75,940 in May 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 data ↗73,700
Average annual openings for HR specialists
Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025–35 projection ↗$149,280
Median annual wage for HR managers
Employment is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, with 16,800 average annual openings.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025 data and projection ↗Methodology & sources
How to use these figures
This page uses the latest available federal data and projections published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of November 3, 2026. Compensation and benefit figures describe broad groups of workers, not a specific employer, role, or location. Use them as a starting point, then look at local market conditions and the needs of your own workforce.
- Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026
- Employment Cost Index, September 2026
- Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2026
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Human Resources Specialists
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Human Resources Managers
Cite this page
My HR Department. “U.S. HR & Workforce Statistics.” Updated November 3, 2026. https://myhrd.biz/hr-statistics
Need help turning the numbers into a practical plan for your business? Talk with an HR advisor.