real wages

[ ree-uhl, reel ]

plural noun

, Economics.

1. wages estimated not in money but in purchasing power.

real wages

plural noun

1. economics wages evaluated with reference to their purchasing power rather than to the money actually paid Compare money wages

real wages

1. Wages adjusted for the prevailing level of consumer prices. ( See also constant dollars .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of real wages¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Frustrating to Democratic stalwarts is the fact that not all voters have been moved by improving economic indicators, with the buying power of “real wages” growing nationally over the last year.

From Los Angeles Times

According to a much-cited academic study by Alan S. Blinder and Mark W. Watson, that’s been true at least since from the Truman administration through Barack Obama’s first term, and is true in every major economic category: GDP growth, job creation, unemployment, growth in real wages and controlling inflation.

From Salon

As far as I can tell, administration officials, including Biden himself, talk about low unemployment, falling inflation and rising real wages — and do so very carefully, studiously avoiding the bombast and excessive boasting so common in the previous administration.

From Seattle Times

There's also been no significant growth of real wages in India since 2014, according to numbers computed by noted developmental economist Jean Dreze.

From BBC

Most people simply have a smaller percentage of their income to devote to anything other than these “fundamental forces,” despite the fact that real wages are at an all-time high.

From Salon

Related Words

• net income