real wages

American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

plural noun

Economics.

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

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real wages British  

plural noun

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

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real wages Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of real wages

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Barr’s base case is that disruptions will be painful but temporary, with productivity gains eventually lifting real wages and supporting growth.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

These range from the slowing economy, rising labor-market slack and stagnant real wages to the disinflationary — or deflationary — effect of artificial intelligence.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026

But what the President really needs is what he promised in the campaign, which is rising real wages.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

Italy is the only EU country where real wages have declined since 1990, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

From Barron's • Nov. 28, 2025

In order to establish any rational basis, the relation must be between real wages or standard of living and efficiency.

From The Evolution of Modern Capitalism A Study of Machine Production by Hobson, J. A. (John Atkinson)

Related Words

• net income