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US wages, benefits rise 0.6 per cent in 4th quarter

Jan 31, 2017 | 6:45 AM

WASHINGTON — Wages and benefits paid to U.S. civilian workers grew at a steady pace in the fourth quarter.

The Labor Department says total compensation rose 0.5 per cent from October through December, a tad slower than 0.6 per cent growth in the July-September period. Wages and salaries increased 0.5 per cent, benefits 0.4 per cent.

In the 12 months that ended Dec. 31, compensation increased 2.2 per cent, up from an annual gain of 2 per cent a year earlier.

Wages and salaries, which account for 70 per cent of compensation, were up 2.3 per cent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, and benefits rose 2.1 per cent.