Workers in Buffalo See Highest Wage Growth as Construction Sector Leads Pay Raises
According to ADP Research, workers across all 56 U.S. metropolitan areas tracked saw median pay raises that outpaced inflation year-over-year through August 2026. The highest wage growth was recorded in Buffalo, New York, where gross wages increased by 6.4% compared to the same period last year. ADP's data includes overtime, bonuses, commissions, and tips, showing a broader picture of compensation trends. The construction industry has consistently seen the largest pay raises across all months in 2026, with median wage growth at 5.6%. This surge is attributed to factors like AI-driven infrastructure projects and labor shortages. In contrast, workers in Louisville, Kentucky, experienced the lowest median raise of 3.9%. The information sector—encompassing TV, film, publishing, and data processing—has seen a decline in wage growth since late 2022, coinciding with the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT. A Microsoft study from 2025 highlighted that roles such as translators and writers are particularly vulnerable to automation.
Topics: ADP Research inflation labor market wages