AI Data Insight
In Q2 2026 (May), the average hourly earnings of all private-sector employees in the US reached $37.53, an increase of 0.32% (up 12 cents) from the previous value of $37.41, in line with market expectations for moderate growth. Although nonfarm payroll employment exceeded expectations by adding 172,000 jobs that month and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%, the growth momentum was mainly concentrated in specific sectors such as healthcare and leisure. This indicates that the labor market still harbors hidden concerns of a structural slowdown.