Average Hourly Earnings Growth vs Continuing Jobless Claims
Average Hourly Earnings Growth is currently 3.8% (down -0.2%). Continuing Jobless Claims is currently 1,903K (up +10.0K).
| Metric | Average Hourly Earnings Growth | Continuing Jobless Claims |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 3.8% | 1,903K |
| Previous reading | 4% | 1893K |
| Change | -0.2% | +10.0K |
| Trend | down | up |
| Frequency | Monthly | Weekly |
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics | Department of Labor |
| Last updated | 2026-04-04 | 2026-04-03 |
| Category | employment | employment |
What Average Hourly Earnings Growth measures
Average hourly earnings measures the year-over-year percentage change in wages for all private-sector employees. It is a key indicator of labor cost pressures and consumer spending power.
Wage growth at 3.8% year-over-year outpaces current inflation, meaning workers are gaining real purchasing power. For executives, this signals continued pressure on labor budgets — compensation packages must grow to retain talent. However, wage growth moderating from 4%+ suggests the worst of the post-pandemic wage spiral may be easing.
What Continuing Jobless Claims measures
Continuing jobless claims count the number of people receiving unemployment insurance benefits in a given week. Unlike initial claims (which show new layoffs), continuing claims show how long people remain unemployed.
Continuing claims at 1.9 million have been gradually rising, suggesting that while layoffs are low, it's taking longer for unemployed workers to find new jobs. This is a subtle deterioration in the labor market that the headline unemployment rate doesn't fully capture. For executives, this signals that hiring is becoming more selective — companies are filling roles but being choosier.
Frequently asked
Average Hourly Earnings Growth is currently 3.8%, down -0.2% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated monthly.
Continuing Jobless Claims is currently 1,903K, up +10.0K from the previous reading. Source: Department of Labor, updated weekly.
Wage growth at 3.8% year-over-year outpaces current inflation, meaning workers are gaining real purchasing power. For executives, this signals continued pressure on labor budgets — compensation packag Continuing claims at 1.9 million have been gradually rising, suggesting that while layoffs are low, it's taking longer for unemployed workers to find new jobs. This is a subtle deterioration in the la