In 2018, manufacturing labor costs in China were estimated to be **** U.S. dollars per hour. This is compared to an estimated **** U.S. dollars per hour in Mexico, and **** U.S. dollars in Vietnam. Manufacturing jobs in the United States Many people in the United States believe manufacturing jobs to be the backbone of the U.S. economy, despite employment in the manufacturing sector decreasing since 1997, and the monthly change in manufacturing employment being highly variable. Although manufacturing added a value of about ** percent to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, employment in the United States has been moving away from manufacturing to other means of employment. A difference in earnings Part of this steering away from manufacturing could be due to a difference in labor costs. While hourly wages in Vietnam were less than * U.S. dollars in 2018, hourly wages in the U.S. manufacturing sector hovered around ** U.S. dollars in 2018. The labor costs in the U.S. could simply be too high for companies, who look to countries such as China, Mexico, and Vietnam for cheaper labor.

Data on the average labor cost* for manufacturing industry employees in European countries in 2020 shows that Denmark had the highest manufacturing labor cost in Europe, at **** euros per employee per hour. This contrasts with Bulgaria, which was the European country with the lowest labor cost in this industry, at *** euro per employee per hour.

The index reflects the level of the total compensation of employees in the economy. The changes in the next to last column show the percent change in the index from three months ago (or the previous quarter if the data are quarterly) and the last column shows the percent change from the same month (or quarter) last year.

This dataset provides values for WAGES IN MANUFACTURING reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Ireland Labour Cost: per Hour: Wages: Industry: Manufacturing (Mfg) data was reported at 22.130 EUR in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22.510 EUR for Jun 2018. Ireland Labour Cost: per Hour: Wages: Industry: Manufacturing (Mfg) data is updated quarterly, averaging 21.125 EUR from Dec 2005 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 52 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.490 EUR in Mar 2018 and a record low of 17.820 EUR in Jun 2006. Ireland Labour Cost: per Hour: Wages: Industry: Manufacturing (Mfg) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.G021: Labour Cost per Hour: EHECS Survey: Wages.

The average hourly labor cost in the European Union in 2023 was 31.8 euros, with the highest average among EU member states ranging from 53.9 euros in Luxembourg, to approximately nine euros in Bulgaria.

Germany Gross Wages & Salaries: per Hour: Manufacturing data was reported at 44.150 EUR in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 39.800 EUR for Sep 2024. Germany Gross Wages & Salaries: per Hour: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 25.715 EUR from Mar 1991 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 136 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 46.360 EUR in Jun 2024 and a record low of 12.980 EUR in Mar 1991. Germany Gross Wages & Salaries: per Hour: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistisches Bundesamt. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G038: Compensation of Employees, Gross Wages and Salaries: ESA 2010.

Germany Unit Labour Cost: per Hour: Manufacturing data was reported at 104.530 2010=100 in Mar 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 114.680 2010=100 for Dec 2018. Germany Unit Labour Cost: per Hour: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 101.870 2010=100 from Mar 1991 (Median) to Mar 2019, with 113 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 119.650 2010=100 in Jun 2009 and a record low of 85.880 2010=100 in Mar 1991. Germany Unit Labour Cost: per Hour: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistisches Bundesamt. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.G050: Unit Labour Cost: 2010=100: ESA 2010.

Turkey Hourly Labour Cost Index: IN: Manufacturing data was reported at 148.447 2015=100 in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 134.008 2015=100 for Dec 2017. Turkey Hourly Labour Cost Index: IN: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 79.651 2015=100 from Mar 2009 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 148.447 2015=100 in Mar 2018 and a record low of 52.575 2015=100 in Jun 2009. Turkey Hourly Labour Cost Index: IN: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Turkish Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Turkey – Table TR.G072: Hourly Labour Cost Index: 2015=100.

Ireland Labour Cost: per Hour: Industry: Manufacturing (Mfg) data was reported at 28.570 EUR in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 27.340 EUR for Dec 2017. Ireland Labour Cost: per Hour: Industry: Manufacturing (Mfg) data is updated quarterly, averaging 25.810 EUR from Dec 2005 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 50 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28.570 EUR in Mar 2018 and a record low of 21.460 EUR in Jun 2006. Ireland Labour Cost: per Hour: Industry: Manufacturing (Mfg) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office of Ireland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.G020: Labour Cost per Hour: EHECS Survey.

Bulgaria Labour Cost per Hour Worked: NACE 2008: Manufacturing data was reported at 15.240 BGN in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 13.200 BGN for 2022. Bulgaria Labour Cost per Hour Worked: NACE 2008: Manufacturing data is updated yearly, averaging 6.760 BGN from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.240 BGN in 2023 and a record low of 4.150 BGN in 2008. Bulgaria Labour Cost per Hour Worked: NACE 2008: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.G018: Labour Cost per Hour Worked: NACE 2008.

Graph and download economic data for Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Manufacturing (CEU3000000003) from Mar 2006 to Sep 2025 about earnings, establishment survey, hours, wages, manufacturing, employment, and USA.

According to the forecasts of the staff of the Eurosystem - the group of central banks of countries which use the Euro as their currency - the rate of increase in unit labor costs (the labor cost at which one unit of production is produced) will decrease considerably over the coming years, declining from a rate of 4.7 percent in 2024, to 2.8 percent in 2025 and 2.2 percent in 2026. This decrease in unit labor costs is set to be driven by a slowing in the growth of compensation per employee, which will decline from 4.5 percent in 2024 to 2.7 percent in 2026, coupled with an increase in labor productivity, the total output per person employed.

Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Manufacturing data was reported at 20.020 EUR in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 23.140 EUR for Dec 2017. Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 19.360 EUR from Mar 2000 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.140 EUR in Dec 2017 and a record low of 11.640 EUR in Mar 2000. Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G045: Labour Cost Survey: Hourly Labour Cost per Employee.

Spain Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Wage: Manufacturing data was reported at 14.650 EUR in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 17.520 EUR for Dec 2017. Spain Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Wage: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 14.080 EUR from Mar 2000 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.520 EUR in Dec 2017 and a record low of 8.590 EUR in Mar 2000. Spain Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Wage: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G045: Labour Cost Survey: Hourly Labour Cost per Employee.

Growth and productivity accounts serve as an important input in the assessments of country-specific developments and policy evaluations. Since detailed information is needed to assess the development of trends in productivity and competitiveness, Eurostat decided to enlarge its publication of growth and productivity indicators in cooperation with experts represented in a Task Force (2018-2021).

Labour productivity indicators (LPIs) are a set of indicators to analyse the use of labour in the production process. Typically, labour productivity is measured as the ratio of an output in real terms (e.g. value added or output in chain-linked volumes) and a labour input (e.g. persons, hours worked). Some additional indicators are also disseminated to support the analysis such as persons employed per capita, compensation per employee, hours worked per person employed or hours worked per capita. Indicators are available for the total economy, by industry and at regional level.

Capital productivity indicators (CAPIs) are a set of indicators to analyse the use of capital in the production process. Typically, capital productivity is measured as the ratio of a measure of output in real terms (e.g. value added or output in chain-linked volumes) to a measure of capital input in real terms (e.g. capital stock in chain-linked volumes or derived capital services). In addition, capital-labour ratios provide more detailed insights concerning the use of capital relative to labour. Changes of these latter indicators are referred to as ‘capital deepening’. The CAPI indicators published by Eurostat are based on net capital stocks. The indicators are available for specific industries and/or asset breakdowns.

Labour and capital productivity indicators at total economy and industry level (nama_10_lpc)

• Labour productivity and unit labour costs (nama_10_lp_ulc)
• Labour productivity and unit labour costs at industry level (nama_10_lp_a21)
• Capital stock based productivity indicators at industry level (nama_10_cp_a21)

Labour Productivity at regional level (nama_10r_lp)

• Nominal Labour productivity by NUTS 2 regions (nama_10r_2nlp)
• Nominal Labour productivity by NUTS 3 regions (nama_10r_3nlp)
• Real Labour productivity by NUTS 2 regions (nama_10r_2rlp)
• Compensation per employee and hours worked per employed person by NUTS 2 regions and by industry (nama_10r_2lp10)

Please note that all indicators included in this collection are calculated by Eurostat based on the regular set of National Accounts data transmitted by Member States under the European System of Accounts 2010 Transmission Programme (ESA 2010 TP). While users could already use published data to derive productivity indicators on their own, the Eurostat selection aims to offer a selection of ready-to-use indicators with explanatory metadata.

Please consult also our LPIs metadata and CAPIs metadata for additional information on sources and methods as well as quality and interpretation aspects of the indicators. The dedicated webpage for productivity indicators provides the general information and useful links. Moreover, the publication of quality adjusted labour input (QALI) indicators and “crude” multifactor productivity indicators as experimental statistics provide additional information.

The use of national accounts data and the harmonised derivation methods by Eurostat are aimed to increase transparency and cross-country comparability. However, users should be aware that there are different sets of productivity indicators published by the countries or other international organisations that may use partly different sources or more sophisticated methods like adjustments in labour quality or derivation of capital services. While these can be more suited for specific analysis, users are invited to consult the metadata published with the respective indicators to be aware about specific sources, methods and/or assumptions used.

Romania Labour Cost Index: swda: Total Industry, Construction & Services: Manufacturing data was reported at 137.389 2016=100 in Mar 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 130.616 2016=100 for Dec 2018. Romania Labour Cost Index: swda: Total Industry, Construction & Services: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 63.666 2016=100 from Mar 2000 (Median) to Mar 2019, with 77 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 137.389 2016=100 in Mar 2019 and a record low of 9.710 2016=100 in Mar 2000. Romania Labour Cost Index: swda: Total Industry, Construction & Services: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Romania – Table RO.G030: Average Hourly Labour Cost Index: NACE 2: by Economic Activity.

Growth and productivity accounts serve as an important input in the assessments of country-specific developments and policy evaluations. Since detailed information is needed to assess the development of trends in productivity and competitiveness, Eurostat decided to enlarge its publication of growth and productivity indicators in cooperation with experts represented in a Task Force (2018-2021).

Labour productivity indicators (LPIs) are a set of indicators to analyse the use of labour in the production process. Typically, labour productivity is measured as the ratio of an output in real terms (e.g. value added or output in chain-linked volumes) and a labour input (e.g. persons, hours worked). Some additional indicators are also disseminated to support the analysis such as persons employed per capita, compensation per employee, hours worked per person employed or hours worked per capita. Indicators are available for the total economy, by industry and at regional level.

Capital productivity indicators (CAPIs) are a set of indicators to analyse the use of capital in the production process. Typically, capital productivity is measured as the ratio of a measure of output in real terms (e.g. value added or output in chain-linked volumes) to a measure of capital input in real terms (e.g. capital stock in chain-linked volumes or derived capital services). In addition, capital-labour ratios provide more detailed insights concerning the use of capital relative to labour. Changes of these latter indicators are referred to as ‘capital deepening’. The CAPI indicators published by Eurostat are based on net capital stocks. The indicators are available for specific industries and/or asset breakdowns.

Labour and capital productivity indicators at total economy and industry level (nama_10_lpc)

• Labour productivity and unit labour costs (nama_10_lp_ulc)
• Labour productivity and unit labour costs at industry level (nama_10_lp_a21)
• Capital stock based productivity indicators at industry level (nama_10_cp_a21)

Labour Productivity at regional level (nama_10r_lp)

• Nominal Labour productivity by NUTS 2 regions (nama_10r_2nlp)
• Nominal Labour productivity by NUTS 3 regions (nama_10r_3nlp)
• Real Labour productivity by NUTS 2 regions (nama_10r_2rlp)
• Compensation per employee and hours worked per employed person by NUTS 2 regions and by industry (nama_10r_2lp10)

Please note that all indicators included in this collection are calculated by Eurostat based on the regular set of National Accounts data transmitted by Member States under the European System of Accounts 2010 Transmission Programme (ESA 2010 TP). While users could already use published data to derive productivity indicators on their own, the Eurostat selection aims to offer a selection of ready-to-use indicators with explanatory metadata.

Please consult also our LPIs metadata and CAPIs metadata for additional information on sources and methods as well as quality and interpretation aspects of the indicators. The dedicated webpage for productivity indicators provides the general information and useful links. Moreover, the publication of quality adjusted labour input (QALI) indicators and “crude” multifactor productivity indicators as experimental statistics provide additional information.

The use of national accounts data and the harmonised derivation methods by Eurostat are aimed to increase transparency and cross-country comparability. However, users should be aware that there are different sets of productivity indicators published by the countries or other international organisations that may use partly different sources or more sophisticated methods like adjustments in labour quality or derivation of capital services. While these can be more suited for specific analysis, users are invited to consult the metadata published with the respective indicators to be aware about specific sources, methods and/or assumptions used.

Spain Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Non Wage: Manufacturing data was reported at 5.370 EUR in Mar 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.620 EUR for Dec 2017. Spain Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Non Wage: Manufacturing data is updated quarterly, averaging 5.090 EUR from Mar 2000 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.180 EUR in Sep 2013 and a record low of 3.050 EUR in Mar 2000. Spain Labour Cost per Employee: NACE 2009: Hourly Avg: Non Wage: Manufacturing data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G045: Labour Cost Survey: Hourly Labour Cost per Employee.

This dataset provides values for MINIMUM WAGES reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.