Preparing dashboard
Loading the latest analytical view.
Loading the latest analytical view.
Indicator detail
Average Weekly Hours, All Employees · FRED · Data through 2026-06-01
What this number means
The average number of hours worked each week by private-sector employees.
Employers often reduce hours before they reduce headcount, so hours can show softening early.
Falling hours can signal weaker labor demand.
Time series
FRED · monthly · Hours
Historical context
Current value is in the 29th percentile of observations across 11 years, which is near the middle of its history.
"Average Weekly Hours" measures the typical number of hours that employees work in a week across various sectors. It provides insight into labor market trends, indicating the overall demand for labor and reflecting economic health. When average hours increase, it can suggest that employers are expecting higher production or output, potentially signaling a growing economy. Conversely, a decrease might indicate reduced demand for labor or a slowdown. Data on average weekly hours is often sourced from labor departments or statistical agencies, which analyze responses from businesses about employee hours worked. This data can help policymakers, businesses, and analysts make informed decisions regarding workforce management and economic strategies. A common misinterpretation of this indicator is equating it solely with employee well-being or job quality. While longer average hours can suggest increased demand, they do not necessarily reflect job satisfaction or work-life balance. Additionally, variations can occur across different sectors, meaning that the figure should not be viewed in isolation but rather as part of a broader economic context.
Use this definition with the source notes and methodology shown on this page.
Breakdowns
These sections only appear when Labor Pulse has a verified source series for the selected metric. Unsupported cuts are left out instead of estimated.
Industry breakdown
Use this view to compare where payroll employment is concentrated and how major sectors have moved over time. These are job counts by industry, so they should not be read as unique workers.
Showing all 5 available comparison lines.
10-year comparison history
Source: FRED series listed in the table below. Lines use one shared y axis, so levels can be compared directly.
| Segment | Current | As of | Source | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManufacturingAverage weekly hours | 40.3 | 2026-06-01 | FRED AWHAEMAN | Industry weekly-hours series compare average hours for all employees where FRED exposes seasonally adjusted sector data. |
| InformationAverage weekly hours | 37.2 | 2026-06-01 | FRED AWHAEINFO | Industry weekly-hours series compare average hours for all employees where FRED exposes seasonally adjusted sector data. |
| Professional and business servicesAverage weekly hours | 36.6 | 2026-06-01 | FRED AWHAEPBS | Industry weekly-hours series compare average hours for all employees where FRED exposes seasonally adjusted sector data. |
| Education and health servicesAverage weekly hours | 32.6 | 2026-06-01 | FRED AWHAEEHS | Industry weekly-hours series compare average hours for all employees where FRED exposes seasonally adjusted sector data. |
| Leisure and hospitalityAverage weekly hours | 25.5 | 2026-06-01 | FRED AWHAELAH | Industry weekly-hours series compare average hours for all employees where FRED exposes seasonally adjusted sector data. |
Use in research
Labor Pulse Research. “Average Weekly Hours, All Employees.” Labor Pulse. Dialed Intelligence LLC. Retrieved July 17, 2026, from https://labor-pulse.vercel.app/indicators/AWHAETP. Data source: BLS via FRED.
Cite the original publisher when referring to the underlying data. Use this citation for the Labor Pulse presentation and interpretation.