REAL WAGES STILL DOWN 1.9% SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE

Key Points:

  • Real average hourly earnings are hourly earnings adjusted for inflation. They are one measure of real wages, which represent the economic return to work.
  • Despite average hourly earnings trending up, wages are still down after adjusting for inflation.
  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in June from May and is up 3.0% in the last year.
  • Real average hourly earnings have fallen from $35.69 in January 2021 to $35.00 in June 2024, a 1.9% decline.
  • Overall, prices have increased 19.2% since Biden took office in January 2021.
Source BLS