The average hourly wage in December was $31.31, 0.6% more than in November and 4.7% more than a year earlier—well above the pre-pandemic record of 3.7% set in 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. Indeed, every month with the exception of a three-month stretch earlier in 2021 has shown year-over-year wage growth topping that high, according to records going back to 2007. Unfortunately, these wage increases haven’t kept up with inflation, now at a decades-high 6.8% rate. But workers have made up for it by working longer hours. When those extra hours are taken into account, worker pay has increased 9.9% in the past year, according to an analysis by economists at FT Advisors. “There is more leverage on the side of the workers right now,” said Daniel Zhao, senior economist and lead data scientist at Glassdoor. “This is a good time to ask for a raise or look for a job.” Have a question, comment, or story to share? You can reach Diccon at dhyatt@thebalance.com.
