Average Hourly Earnings Growth vs Existing Home Sales (Annualized)
Average Hourly Earnings Growth is currently 3.8% (down -0.2%). Existing Home Sales (Annualized) is currently 4.26M (up +0.2M).
| Metric | Average Hourly Earnings Growth | Existing Home Sales (Annualized) |
|---|---|---|
| Current value | 3.8% | 4.26M |
| Previous reading | 4% | 4.08M |
| Change | -0.2% | +0.2M |
| Trend | down | up |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source | Bureau of Labor Statistics | National Association of Realtors |
| Last updated | 2026-04-04 | 2026-03-20 |
| Category | employment | housing |
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 Existing Home Sales (Annualized) measures
Existing home sales measures the number of completed sales of previously owned homes, expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate. It accounts for approximately 85-90% of all home sales in the U.S.
At 4.26 million, existing home sales remain well below the 2021 peak of 6.1 million. The 'lock-in effect' — where homeowners refuse to give up sub-4% mortgages — continues to constrain inventory. For executives, this suppressed transaction volume affects real estate commissions, moving services, home improvement spending, and mortgage origination revenue across the industry.
Frequently asked
Average Hourly Earnings Growth is currently 3.8%, down -0.2% from the previous reading. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, updated monthly.
Existing Home Sales (Annualized) is currently 4.26M, up +0.2M from the previous reading. Source: National Association of Realtors, updated monthly.
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 At 4.26 million, existing home sales remain well below the 2021 peak of 6.1 million. The 'lock-in effect' — where homeowners refuse to give up sub-4% mortgages — continues to constrain inventory. For