Arguably, the most important measure for the Federal Reserve as they decide whether to raise rates in September is nominal average hourly earnings. Over the year, average hourly earnings rose only 2.1 percent, in line with the same slow growth we’ve seen for the last six years. And wages for production/nonsupervisory workers rose even more slowly, at 1.8 percent over the year. The annual growth rates are slow by any measure, but are certainly far below any reasonable wage target.

Wage growth needs to be stronger—and consistently strong for a solid spell—before we can call this a healthy economy. As shown below, nominal wage growth since the recovery officially began in mid-2009 has been low and flat. This isn’t surprising—the weak labor market of the last seven years has put enormous downward pressure on wages. Employers don’t have to offer big wage increases to get and keep the workers they need. And this remains true even as a jobs recovery has consistently forged ahead in recent years.

Pressure is building on the Fed to reverse its monetary stimulus by raising short-term interest rates, slowing the recovery in the name of stopping wage-fueled inflation. Fortunately, the Fed has said that their decision to raise rates will be “data driven.” The data clearly show that the economy has not improved enough.

Yes, interest rates have been low for a long time, but there’s no reason for the Fed to be impatient or to raise rates on a whim. The data show little sign of the “some further improvement” Fed officials have said they are waiting for. This morning’s jobs report is clear evidence that the Fed should continue to hold the line, and let the economy continue to recovery before raising rates prematurely.