Merit Shop contractors anticipate skilled craft hourly wage increases of 4.45% in 2023 (4.30% including zeros). Actual increases for 2022 were 5.02% (including zeros) and 5.10% (excluding zeros). These increases are across the board for all craft, contractor types, sizes, and regions of the country. WorldatWork reports 2023 actual construction increases at 4.4%. Historically, projected numbers from survey participants are slightly lower than the actual year end figure.