US Real Average Hourly Earnings Fell 0.7% Annually

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.7% decrease in real average hourly earnings for all employees from September 2025 to September 2026. Coupled with a 0.6% increase in the average workweek, this led to a 0.1% decline in real average weekly earnings over the year. This data suggests a reduction in American workers' purchasing power, as wage growth lags inflation, impacting household finances.