Key takeaways
Transactions on the Instawork platform track the wages paid to hourly workers and the total cost of their shifts to local businesses. This briefing focuses on costs to businesses for dozens of occupations in regions across the United States, in parallel with the Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC) release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Data used in this briefing may include data on future shifts that have been booked on the Instawork platform but have not yet taken place. For more insights on the challenges faced by flexible workers, check out Long commutes or internal migration for flexible workers?
There has been a slight downward tendency in costs of compensation for flexible work between March 2023 and June 2023. Roles in hospitality have led the way with some of the most widespread increases in costs, at least geographically. The most uniform increases have been for dishwasher and line cook shifts. There is still upward pressure on costs for custodial and higher-skill warehouse roles, too.
Costs tended to increase most in the biggest metropolitan areas, with the exception of Houston. Some of these areas are regaining population lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. This reverse migration can especially tighten the labor markets in leisure and hospitality, which have not fully recovered from the pandemic in many metros. For those considering self-employment, you might find answers to your questions in 7 of the most common self-employment tax questions, answered.
Costs tended to increase most in the biggest metropolitan areas, with the exception of Houston. Some of these areas are regaining population lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. This reverse migration can especially tighten the labor markets in leisure and hospitality, which have not fully recovered from the pandemic in many metros.
Here are the biggest increases in costs from March 2023 to June 2023 by role and region:
Role
Region
Region
Line Cook
San Antonio
18%
Dishwasher
Phoenix
12%
Dishwasher
San Antonio
10%
General Labor
San Antonio
9%
Warehouse / Entry Level
Seattle
9%
General Labor
Columbus
9%
Line Cook
San Diego
8%
General Labor
Los Angeles
6%
General Labor
Phoenix
6%
Line Cook
Sacramento
6%
Here are shares of roles where business costs increased in major metropolitan areas:
Here are the shares of regions where business costs rose for a selection of roles:
We will continue to track these changes in business costs in the quarters to come. We welcome your suggestions for additions to this briefing.
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