Average hourly earnings in the United States rose 0.4% in January 2026 on a month-over-month basis, a sharp pickup from the 0.1% increase recorded in the previous month. The fresh data, updated on 11 February 2026, point to a noticeable acceleration in wage growth at the start of the year.
The figures compare the change in earnings in January with the prior month, while the earlier 0.1% reading reflected the change in the previous month versus the month before it. The stronger advance suggests increasing momentum in pay growth, a development that could have implications for consumer spending and broader inflation dynamics if the trend persists.
