Unit labor costs in the United States declined by 0.7% in the third quarter of 2026 on a quarter-over-quarter basis, a sharp turnaround from the 1.2% increase recorded in the second quarter of 2026. The data, updated on 05 November 2026, highlight a notable easing in labor cost pressures over the latest three‑month period.
The figures are based on quarter-over-quarter comparisons: the current reading captures the change in unit labor costs in the third quarter versus the second quarter of 2026, while the previous 1.2% figure reflected the change in the second quarter relative to the first quarter of 2026. The move from positive to negative growth suggests that, at least for now, cost pressures stemming from wages and productivity dynamics have moderated after earlier quarterly gains.
