The most recent employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average hourly earnings of American workers advanced two point three percent over the past year. Over the past two years, wages are up on average by four point five percent. But the pace of wage growth varies widely between industries.
As indicated by the Wall Street Journal, wage gains at the high and low end of the spectrum are growing much more rapidly. For instance, those who work in utilities have seen their wages rise by nearly eight percent on average over the past two years. The average position in utilities pays nearly thirty eight dollars per hour.
Another well compensated segment, information, has seen average wages rise by nearly seven percent over the past two years. Among lower wage segments, workers in retail trade have experienced average wage gains approaching six percent, while workers in restaurants and hotels have seen their average wage rise by nearly seven.
But in the middle of the wage spectrum, wage growth has been softer. For instance, those working in distribution have seen their wages rise by a bit better than three percent, while those working in transportation have seen them rise by less than two.
