Real earnings growth in the United States slowed markedly in February 2026, easing to 0.1% month-over-month from 0.5% in January, according to data updated on 11 March 2026. The figures indicate that, while workers’ purchasing power is still inching higher, the pace of real income gains has weakened compared with the start of the year.
The comparison is made on a month-over-month basis, measuring February’s change in real earnings against January, while January’s 0.5% increase was itself measured against December. The sharp deceleration suggests that the momentum seen at the beginning of 2026 has cooled, a development that markets and policymakers will be watching closely for its potential implications for consumer spending and broader economic growth.
