12-month percent change in wages and salaries, Employment Cost Index, March 1995-March 2000 Nonfarm State and private local industry government Mar. 1995 2.9 3.2 Mar. 1996 3.2 2.8 Mar. 1997 3.4 2.8 Mar. 1998 4.0 2.8 Mar. 1999 3.3 2.9 Mar. 2000 4.2 3.8