Data Lab

The wage lifecycle is more complex than you think.

Yes, pay starts low in early adulthood, peaks in middle age, and tapers off in retirement. But in between is a lot of nuance.

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Hiring Employment Geographic trends

July 18, 2025

You’ve graduated. Now what?

by Sam Adieze

As college graduation parties wind down, new degree-holders are embarking on their next path: deciding where to work. A competitive salary in a bustling metropolitan hub might be tempting. But as we wrote last year, the true value of a paycheck depends on more than just the number on an offer letter. And before you can spend those dollars, you need to land the job.

Employee sentiment hit yet another record in July, led by big jumps in manufacturing and educational services.

Worker sentiment EMC Index

July 15, 2025

Employee sentiment climbs to another record high

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, rose to a third straight record high in July, climbing eight points to 147.

Are more paydays better, even if the money is the same? According to workers, the short answer is yes, and both workers and employers can benefit. The reasons boil down to how workers perceive fairness.

Worker sentiment Data Lab

June 25, 2025

More paydays, more fairness? How pay frequency shapes worker perceptions of compensation

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Are more paydays better, even if the money is the same? According to workers, the short answer is yes, and both workers and employers can benefit. The reasons boil down to how workers perceive fairness.

Employee sentiment jumped 7 points in June, hitting a record high for the second straight month.

Worker sentiment EMC Index

June 17, 2025

Employee sentiment hit record high in June

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Employee sentiment jumped 7 points in June, hitting a record high for the second straight month.

Unemployment Geographic trends

May 21, 2025

Summertime: For some employers, it’s no picnic

by Sam Adieze

Summer paints a vivid picture. For many Americans, it’s a season of relaxation and adventure. But for employers, especially those in retail and leisure and hospitality, it’s a period of heightened labor demand and a less-visible struggle with high worker turnover.

Employee sentiment climbed three points May to a record, with five of the series’ 10 sectors showing improvement.

EMC Index

May 20, 2025

Employee sentiment index hit record high in May

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The ADP Research Employee Motivation and Commitment Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, rose three points to a record high in May.

Worker sentiment Data Lab

May 7, 2025

Small businesses: For women, they’re a different kind of workplace

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

We found a place where women are more likely to hold positions in upper management, are more likely to thrive, and are more likely to have the freedom to do their jobs as they see fit. Can you guess where? For the answer, check out our latest labor-market analysis.

Data Lab

The wage lifecycle is more complex than you think.

Thank you!

Stay up to date with Data Lab

You’ve graduated. Now what?

Employee sentiment climbs to another record high

More paydays, more fairness? How pay frequency shapes worker perceptions of compensation

Employee sentiment hit record high in June

Summertime: For some employers, it’s no picnic

Employee sentiment index hit record high in May

Small businesses: For women, they’re a different kind of workplace

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