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Attendance · Absence

Absenteeism Rate Benchmarks

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Key numbers
Absenteeism at a Glance
2.8%
US private sector median (2024)
BLS data. Unplanned absence accounts for approximately 7 days per employee per year at this rate. Public sector runs ~1 day higher.
1.5%
Best-in-class (P25) threshold
Top-quartile organizations typically achieve this through proactive wellness programs, flexible work, and management quality — not absence policies.
4.5%+
Elevated — investigation warranted
Rates above 4.5% are associated with disengagement, management issues, or systemic health factors. Correlates with higher voluntary turnover within 12 months.
Benchmark Table
Absenteeism Rate by Industry

Unplanned absence days ÷ total scheduled days × 100. Source: BLS, SHRM, Mercer 2024. Lower is better.

Industry / SectorP25 (Low)P50 MedianP75 (High)Top Quartile
Technology1.0%1.8%2.8%0.7%
Financial Services1.2%2.0%3.0%0.8%
Healthcare2.5%3.8%5.5%1.5%
Retail2.0%3.2%5.0%1.2%
Manufacturing2.2%3.5%5.2%1.4%
Professional Services1.0%1.8%2.8%0.6%
Government / Public2.8%4.2%6.0%2.0%
Education2.0%3.2%4.8%1.2%
Hospitality2.5%4.0%6.5%1.8%
Transportation2.8%4.5%7.0%2.0%
Nonprofit1.5%2.5%3.8%1.0%
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employee Benefits Survey 2024, SHRM Absence and Disability Management Survey 2024, Mercer 2024 Benefits Survey, IBI Integrated Benefits Institute 2024.