Annual pay growth for job stayers dipped to 7.2% in February, the slowest pace of gains in 12 months. For job changers, growth slowed to 14.3% from 14.9%. However Richardson pointed out for industries like construction and education, pay growth has stayed flat at a high level. (See: MNI INTERVIEW: Fed Rate Hikes Yet To Hit Services Prices-ISM)
Strong pay data are consistent with other labor market indicators pointing to strength. Initial jobless claims have been below 200,000 for seven straight weeks and firms are reluctant to let go of workers. The Labor Department's unit labor costs data last week also saw a 6.3% increase from a year ago, compared to 1.2% before the pandemic.
"There's a pretty consistently robust and solid view of the labor market, despite higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve," Richardson said.
