Growth of productivity, real average compensation, and real median compensation, 1973–2014
| Year | Real median hourly compensation | Real average hourly compensation | Net productivity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 1974 | -2.0% | -0.9% | -1.6% |
| 1975 | -0.5% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| 1976 | 0.4% | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| 1977 | 1.3% | 3.9% | 4.6% |
| 1978 | 2.5% | 5.0% | 5.6% |
| 1979 | 1.9% | 4.9% | 5.8% |
| 1980 | 1.1% | 4.1% | 5.0% |
| 1981 | -1.2% | 4.5% | 7.2% |
| 1982 | 0.5% | 5.6% | 5.7% |
| 1983 | 0.4% | 5.8% | 8.8% |
| 1984 | 0.7% | 6.0% | 11.7% |
| 1985 | 1.7% | 7.7% | 13.6% |
| 1986 | 3.8% | 11.2% | 15.9% |
| 1987 | 3.4% | 11.9% | 16.5% |
| 1988 | 2.7% | 13.3% | 17.8% |
| 1989 | 2.6% | 12.1% | 18.8% |
| 1990 | 2.6% | 13.4% | 20.4% |
| 1991 | 3.6% | 14.6% | 21.4% |
| 1992 | 5.2% | 18.0% | 25.8% |
| 1993 | 4.5% | 17.1% | 26.2% |
| 1994 | 2.4% | 16.3% | 27.4% |
| 1995 | 0.7% | 15.7% | 27.5% |
| 1996 | -0.4% | 17.1% | 30.6% |
| 1997 | 1.4% | 18.4% | 32.4% |
| 1998 | 4.0% | 22.7% | 35.0% |
| 1999 | 7.1% | 25.3% | 38.3% |
| 2000 | 6.8% | 29.1% | 41.6% |
| 2001 | 9.6% | 31.2% | 43.8% |
| 2002 | 11.3% | 32.5% | 47.8% |
| 2003 | 13.3% | 35.1% | 52.6% |
| 2004 | 13.6% | 37.7% | 56.7% |
| 2005 | 12.5% | 37.9% | 59.4% |
| 2006 | 12.3% | 38.7% | 60.4% |
| 2007 | 11.0% | 40.6% | 61.5% |
| 2008 | 11.6% | 39.3% | 61.8% |
| 2009 | 14.0% | 42.1% | 65.1% |
| 2010 | 12.7% | 42.6% | 70.0% |
| 2011 | 9.6% | 41.1% | 70.2% |
| 2012 | 8.5% | 41.6% | 71.1% |
| 2013 | 9.6% | 41.2% | 71.2% |
| 2014 | 8.7% | 42.5% | 72.2% |
Note: Data are for all workers. Net productivity is the growth of output of goods and services minus depreciation, per hour worked.
Source: EPI analysis of data from the BEA, BLS, and CPS ORG (see technical appendix for more detailed information)
Source: Economic Policy Institute analysis of data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis' National Income and Product Accounts, the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Indexes and Labor Productivity and Costs program, and Current Population Survey Outgoing Rotation Group microdata (see technical appendix for more detailed information)