REAL WAGES DOWN 1.9% UNDER BIDEN

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) rose 0.2% in July from June and is up 2.9% in the last year.
  • Real average hourly earnings have fallen from $35.75 in January 2021 to $35.07 in July 2024, a 1.9% decline.
  • Overall, prices have increased 19.4% since Biden took office in January 2021.
Source BLS