higher, with the expectation that the economy is really going to be booming as we get out of this omicron wave, as we get into springtime. >> reporter: the job market is so hot right now, there are nearly two opening for every applicant, and that demand drove wages up. average earnings in the u.s. are now more than $31 an hour, but the raises leveled off last month. what does that mean when it comes to demand for workers? >> more people are coming back into the labor force. a lot of people who retired early are unretiring. >> reporter: still, the wage increases are not keeping up with inflation, which is forecast to be at 8% soon. it's especially painful at the gas pump. the national average is now almost $3.84 a gallon, up 11 cents since yesterday and 26 cents from last week. in california, where cars line up for the cheapest gas, average prices are now more than $5 a gallon for the first time ever. >> it's what, $5.29 today.