United States Average Hourly Earnings YoY
Aug 2026 · Monthly
Average Hourly Earnings fell to 3.09% in August from 3.24% in July, the lowest since May 2021. The annual increase slowed from 3.98% a year earlier. Non-farm payrolls rose by 159,075 in August, while the unemployment rate held at 4.1%. The data were released by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Average hourly earnings in the United States increased 3.09% year-on-year in August 2026, slowing from 3.24% in July. The rate remains well below the 8.10% peak recorded in April 2020 and above the 0.60% low from April 2021. Data extend back to March 2007.
| Actual | Previous | Highest | Lowest | Dates | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1% | 3.2% | 8.1%Apr 2020 | 0.6%Apr 2021 | 2007 – 2026 | Monthly |
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About this series
Average Hourly Earnings YoY in United States averaged 3.2% from 2007 until 2026, reaching an all-time high of 8.1% in Apr 2020 and a record low of 0.6% in Apr 2021. The series is reported monthly with history from 2007.
The indicator measures the year-on-year change in average hourly earnings in the United States. The value is expressed as a percentage and reported monthly. The series spans from March 2007 onward, providing the longest available record of this wage-growth measure.
Source & methodology
We use primary economic sources for every country. See our methodology page for how we source and verify this data.
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