Average hourly earnings in the United States grew 3.5% year-over-year in June 2026, a slight acceleration from the 3.4% annual pace recorded in May 2026. The latest data, updated on 2 July 2026, indicate a modest firming in wage growth as measured on a year-over-year basis.
The figures compare earnings in June 2026 with June 2025, while the previous reading compared May 2026 with May 2025. This subtle uptick suggests that wage pressures remain present in the labor market, with paychecks continuing to rise slightly faster than they did a month earlier.
Market observers are likely to watch upcoming releases closely to see whether this shift marks the start of a sustained trend or simply a minor fluctuation in an otherwise stable wage-growth environment.
