http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1375007Snow foresees pickup in wages
Dec 5, 2005 — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow on Monday said that a steadily expanding U.S. economy has reached a point where it should start generating good news about jobs.
"We're about at a tipping point here where we're going to see much improvement in wage rates and compensation," Snow said during an interview on CNBC television.
experts seems to have another opinion though:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0512050105dec05,1,1710495.storyWages not likely to jump
Average pay raises to remain at 2005 levels, experts say
Looking for a big bump in your paycheck next year? Don't hold your breath.
For the second year in a row, wage and salary increases will average around 3.5 percent in 2006, several compensation experts predict. The good news is that the average paycheck--in theory--should keep up with inflation, which is expected to be about 3 percent next year.
The bad news is that most employees will get less than 3.5 percent. That average is driven up by very high raises expected in a few fields with acute staff shortages, including nursing and financial services.
"If you're not in a high-demand position or covered by a union agreement, maybe you'll get 1 percent or 2 percent, if anything at all," said John Putzier, president of FirStep Inc., a Pittsburgh-area human-resources firm. "It's going to be spotty."