Pricing power: who can raise prices
What customers pay for each service (consumer price index) against what the industry pays staff (average hourly earnings), 12 months to September 2026. All consumer prices: +3.7%.
| Business | Prices | Staff pay | Gap | Avg hourly pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn care and landscaping | +8.8% | +2.9% | +5.9 pts | $46.03 |
| Dental practice | +6.0% | +2.0% | +4.0 pts | $36.68 |
| Auto repair shop | +5.8% | +2.9% | +2.9 pts | $34.33 |
| Laundry and dry cleaning | +5.3% | +2.9% | +2.4 pts | $34.33 |
| Daycare and preschool | +3.1% | +2.0% | +1.1 pts | $36.68 |
| Salon and barber | +3.7% | +2.9% | +0.8 pts | $34.33 |
| Sit-down restaurant | +3.8% | +4.3% | -0.5 pts | $22.17 |
| Pet products and services | +2.2% | +2.9% | -0.7 pts | $34.33 |
| Takeout and fast casual | +3.2% | +4.3% | -1.1 pts | $22.17 |
| Gyms, classes and recreation | +1.3% | +3.9% | -2.6 pts | $23.90 |
| Moving and storage | -7.1% | +3.1% | -10.2 pts | $32.78 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted) and Current Employment Statistics. Updated 2026-10-27.