labor costs

USAGE SUMMARY

'labor costs' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the money spent on the wages and salaries of employees. For example, "The company's labor costs increased significantly due to an increase in overtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(She means labor costs).

The New Yorker

Labor costs.

Harvard Business Review

Lower labor costs.

The New York Times

Labor costs were higher than expected.

The New York Times

"Labor costs are too high these days".

The New York Times

Labor costs are rising in China.

The New York Times

"Inflation and labor costs are already high.

The New York Times

Then there are the labor costs.

The New York Times

Labor costs are rising," she said.

The New York Times

Owners saved on labor costs and taxes.

The New York Times - Food

In addition, American labor costs are high.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business financials, clearly differentiate between "labor costs" and other operational expenses to provide a transparent view of spending. For example, specify that "labor costs" increased by 10%, while raw material costs remained stable.

Common error

Don't assume that reducing "labor costs" is always the best strategy. Sometimes, investing in skilled labor can increase productivity and overall profitability, even if it means higher initial expenses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "labor costs" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, referring to the total expenditure a company makes on its workforce. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "labor costs" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to the total expenses associated with employing workers. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific publications. When writing about business or economics, use "labor costs" to clearly and precisely describe workforce-related expenditures. Related phrases like "personnel costs" or "workforce expenses" can be used for a more formal tone. Remember to differentiate between "labor costs" and other operational expenses to provide a transparent financial overview. Be aware that cutting "labor costs" isn't always beneficial, as investing in skilled labor can boost overall productivity and profitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

workforce expenses

Focuses more broadly on all expenses related to the workforce, including benefits and other non-wage costs.

personnel costs

Similar to workforce expenses, but emphasizes the cost of individuals employed by a company.

payroll expenses

Specifically refers to the expenses associated with paying employees, including wages and salaries.

wage expenses

More specific, focusing solely on the monetary compensation paid to employees.

employee compensation

A formal term encompassing all forms of payment and benefits received by employees.

staffing costs

Focuses on the costs associated with maintaining a staff, including recruitment and training.

employment expenses

A broad term covering all costs related to employing individuals.

manpower costs

An older term for labor costs, less commonly used today.

human resources expenses

Includes costs associated with managing and supporting employees, beyond just wages.

salary expenditure

Focuses specifically on the expenditure related to salaries paid to employees.

FAQs

How can I use "labor costs" in a sentence?

You can use "labor costs" to describe expenses related to employees' wages, salaries, and benefits. For instance: "The company is trying to reduce "labor costs" by automating certain tasks."

What's a more formal way to say "labor costs"?

A more formal alternative to "labor costs" is "personnel costs" or "workforce expenses". These terms are often used in business and economic contexts.

What factors influence "labor costs"?

"Labor costs" are influenced by several factors, including minimum wage laws, the availability of skilled workers, the cost of living, and union negotiations.

How do "labor costs" affect a company's profitability?

"Labor costs" directly impact a company's profitability. Higher "labor costs" can reduce profit margins, while lower "labor costs" can increase them, assuming productivity remains constant.