April 7, 2025

Average  hourly earnings rose 0.3% in March to $36.00 after rising 0.2% in February and 0.4% in January.  Earnings growth  in the past year has been 3.8%.

While nominal earnings have risen 3.8% in the past year, inflation has risen fairly quickly and real or inflation-adjusted earnings have risen only 1.2% in that same period of time.  That is roughly the same growth rate that existed prior to the recession.

Average weekly earnings rose 0.3% in March toto $1,231.20 after having risen 0.5% in February and 0.1% in January.  In the past year weekly earnings have risen 3.2%.

Stephen Slifer

NumberNomics

Charleston, SC