Employment wage growth in the United States slowed in the third quarter of 2026, with the indicator easing to 0.70% quarter-over-quarter, down from 0.90% in the second quarter of 2026. The latest data, updated on 30 October 2026, highlight a moderation in the pace of wage increases as measured against the previous quarter.
On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the “actual” reading reflects the change in wages in the third quarter compared with the second quarter of 2026. By contrast, the “previous” figure of 0.90% captured the change in wages in the second quarter relative to the first quarter of 2026. The step down from 0.90% to 0.70% suggests that while wages are still rising, the momentum of those gains is softening.