labor market

Reports on private sector hiring offer a preview of what to expect in Friday’s federal jobs report, including a growing gap in wage growth between high earners and lower-income households.

In an uncertain economy, equipment purchases can be less risky than new hires. Capital expenditures can also help companies deal with a tightening labor supply.

The salary premium for job switchers is now around 2%. Four years ago, it was 8%.

Areas of the country that recently experienced the largest slowdowns in unauthorized immigration also saw the largest slowdowns in employment growth.

Consumers are feeling worse about the economy than they were at this time last year.

Additional costs from tariffs and shifting consumer demand are hitting businesses and impacting their willingness to hire.

There are now more unemployed people than job openings, which is landing particularly hard on young jobseekers.

We can get glimpses through private data sources.

Productivity growth allows companies to pull in more profits, which can allow them to raise wages. But recently, wage growth has slowed — even as productivity has stayed strong.

“It's something I've done myself and have seen amongst other younger female job seekers,” said freelance writer Megan Robinson. “But in my own case, and in the other women I interviewed, it didn't help any of us get a job.”