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Chart of the Day: Average Hourly Earnings

John Keefer, Trust Investment Associate Mar 19, 2026
Time-series line chart tracking real average hourly earnings from the early 2000's to present.

Contents

Today's Chart of the Day comes from @CharlieBilello and highlights real average hourly earnings in the US. “Real wages” (pay adjusted for inflation) tell us how far a paycheck really goes.
 
The chart shows a tough two‑year stretch of negative real wage growth (2022-2023) when inflation ran ahead of pay, followed by a longer run of gains as wages began outpacing price increases.
 
With the latest reading near +0.9% YoY, purchasing power is improving at the margin. That’s good news for workers: essentials become a bit more affordable, savings cushions are easier to rebuild, and consumer spending gets support from a trend of positive real income growth.
Chart of the Day

About the Author

John Keefer, Trust Investment Associate
John Keefer, Trust Investment Associate

John joined Crews Bank & Trust as a Trust Investment Associate in September 2025. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri, along with an Investment Certificate. In his role, he supports portfolio maintenance and analysis while helping clients work toward their financial goals.

Investments are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, the bank, are not FDIC insured, not insured by any federal government agency, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal.

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Chart of the Day: U.S. Home Sales

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