IWPR Statement on June Jobs Report: Wage Growth Still Not Keeping Up with Inflation as Black Women’s Unemployment Remains Volatile

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2026

The Jobs Report for June 2026 was released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The following is a statement from Kate Bahn, PhD, chief economist and senior vice president of research at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), on what the current report reveals about the larger economy and its impact on women and families.

The Jobs Report for June tells a conflicting story about the economy: Despite moderate job growth the last few months, wages are not keeping up with inflation at the same time that rising energy costs continue to stretch women’s pockets.

Other concerning indicators of economic stagnation lurk behind the slight decreases in overall unemployment and the minimal year-over-year hourly wage growth, which increased slightly to 3.5% from 3.4% in May. Even with the ongoing World Cup tournament, the leisure and hospitality sector declined by 61,000 jobs—jobs in which women of color are overrepresented, and which typically provide lower wages and poor benefits.

This month’s data also points to the continued employment volatility that Black women are facing. Their unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.7%, from 5.6% in May, and the ratio relative to White women’s unemployment rate widened further, up from 1.6 last month to 1.8.

As we approach Black Women’s Equal Pay Day on July 21, these figures highlight the need to challenge occupational segregation, as well as the persistent racial and gender wage gaps that undermine not just Black women’s economic security, but the health of our entire economy.

Relevant Reports: The Numbers Don’t Add Up: Women Continue to Earn Less, Regardless of Occupation; Want to Help Women? Get Rid of the Tipped Minimum Wage

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The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) is the nation’s leading think tank working to win economic equity for all women. Through evidence-based research, policy solutions, and advocacy, IWPR is advancing the power and well-being of women across the US. Learn more at IWPR.org.