2026.03.0613:33:36UTC+00US Wages Growth Slightly Above Forecasts

In February 2026, average hourly earnings for all employees on US private nonfarm payrolls increased by 15 cents, or 0.4%, to $37.32. This matched the pace seen in January and slightly exceeded market expectations of a 0.3% gain. Over the same month, average hourly earnings for private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 9 cents, or 0.3%, to $32.03. On a year-over-year basis, average hourly earnings were up 3.8%, edging higher from a 3.7% increase in January and coming in above market forecasts, which also called for a 3.7% rise.