The Median Check
Real median weekly earnings, full-time workers
What is the current The Median Check?
Real Median Weekly Earnings: $378 as of 2026-Q2, and holding steady. Source: BLS via FRED (LES1252881600Q).
The Median Check at $378
Tracking stable relative to recent baseline.
How has The Median Check changed over time?
Most affected counties
Counties with the highest labor scores in the County Distress Index.
Explore all 3,144 counties →| Period | Value | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | $378 | +$2 |
| Q1 2026 | $376 | +$3 |
| Q3 2025 | $376 | +$5 |
| Q2 2025 | $376 | +$8 |
| Q1 2025 | $373 | +$8 |
| Q4 2024 | $374 | +$5 |
| Q3 2024 | $371 | +$5 |
| Q2 2024 | $368 | +$3 |
| Q1 2024 | $365 | +$1 |
| Q4 2023 | $369 | +$7 |
| Q3 2023 | $366 | +$4 |
| Q2 2023 | $365 | +$6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Real Median Weekly Earnings?
Real median weekly earnings, full-time workers
Why does Real Median Weekly Earnings matter for financial distress?
Real Median Weekly Earnings is one of the indicators tracked by the American Distress Index (ADI), which measures five dimensions of U.S. household financial distress: Delinquency, Default & Legal, Debt Burden, Labor, and Safety Net & Buffer. Changes in this indicator contribute to the overall distress picture.
Where does the Real Median Weekly Earnings data come from?
This data comes from BLS via FRED (LES1252881600Q). More information: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/LES1252881600Q. The American Distress Index updates this indicator quarterly.
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