Union employment generally correlates with higher overall compensation for workers, encompassing both wages and benefits. As of June 2023, the average total compensation cost for union workers was $55.57 per hour worked.
Understanding Union Compensation
Compensation for union workers is broken down into two main components: wages and salaries, and benefits. These figures represent the costs employers incur for their unionized workforce.
Wages and Salaries
For union workers, wages and salaries averaged $33.55 per hour worked. This portion covers the direct hourly pay or salary received by employees for their labor.
Benefits
Beyond direct wages, union workers also receive substantial benefits. These benefits averaged $22.02 per hour. Benefits can include various non-wage forms of compensation, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and other forms of indirect pay.
Compensation Breakdown
The total compensation for union workers reflects the sum of their wages, salaries, and benefits.
| Component | Average Cost Per Hour (June 2023) |
|---|---|
| Wages & Salaries | $33.55 |
| Benefits | $22.02 |
| Total Compensation | $55.57 |
Industry-Specific Compensation: Retail Trade Example
Compensation can vary significantly across different industries. For instance, in the retail trade industry, the compensation costs for union workers averaged less than the overall national average, but still comprised both wages and benefits:
- Total Compensation: Averaged $27.08 per hour.
- Wages and Salaries: Averaged $17.22 per hour.
- Benefits: Averaged $9.86 per hour.
This breakdown highlights that while overall averages provide a general picture, specific industry contexts offer a more granular view of what union employment pays in terms of worker compensation.
For more detailed information on compensation costs for union workers, including comparisons with non-union workers, you can refer to official labor statistics resources, such as those provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
