United States: Nonfarm Business Labor Productivity & Cost (YoY) - Output per Hour (SA)

Macro

2026-05-08

Description

The U.S. Output per Hour (SA) in nonfarm businesses is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and measures the amount of output produced per hour worked by employees in U.S. nonfarm businesses. This indicator is crucial for understanding economic growth, corporate profitability, and labor market dynamics.

An increase in output per hour typically indicates higher labor productivity, meaning more goods or services are produced in the same or less time, which helps reduce unit production costs and enhance corporate competitiveness. Conversely, a decrease in output per hour may signal weakening labor productivity, leading to higher production costs and reduced profitability.

This data is released quarterly, reflecting changes in output per hour in U.S. nonfarm businesses.

Published by
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Choice)
Frequency
Monthly
Next Update
Hashtags

AI Data Insight

In the first quarter of 2026, the year-over-year growth rate of US nonfarm business labor productivity rose to 2.9%, surpassing the previous value of 2.8% and hitting a two-year high. Although the seasonally adjusted annualized quarter-over-quarter growth rate of 0.8% fell short of market consensus, an explosion in manufacturing capacity and continuous AI investments drove corporate efficiency, keeping unit labor costs moderately under control.

AI Data Insight

In the first quarter of 2026, the year-over-year growth rate of US nonfarm business labor productivity rose to 2.9%, surpassing the previous value of 2.8% and hitting a two-year high. Although the seasonally adjusted annualized quarter-over-quarter growth rate of 0.8% fell short of market consensus, an explosion in manufacturing capacity and continuous AI investments drove corporate efficiency, keeping unit labor costs moderately under control.

Description

The U.S. Output per Hour (SA) in nonfarm businesses is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and measures the amount of output produced per hour worked by employees in U.S. nonfarm businesses. This indicator is crucial for understanding economic growth, corporate profitability, and labor market dynamics.

An increase in output per hour typically indicates higher labor productivity, meaning more goods or services are produced in the same or less time, which helps reduce unit production costs and enhance corporate competitiveness. Conversely, a decrease in output per hour may signal weakening labor productivity, leading to higher production costs and reduced profitability.

This data is released quarterly, reflecting changes in output per hour in U.S. nonfarm businesses.

Published by
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Choice)
Frequency
Monthly
Next Update
Hashtags