Wage Slowdown Leaves Gig Work Filling Pay Gaps

Wage growth is easing across the private sector, and the latest Employment Cost Index makes clear the deceleration is no longer a blip. Private-sector wages and salaries rose 0.7% in the first quarter, according to data released April 30 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics . The broader wage measure increased 0.8%, while total compensation reached 0.9%, lifted in part by benefits rather than pay itself.