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

A third good labor report in a row, but real wages aren’t growing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

“Forecast cuts have been widespread as higher inflation squeezes real wages, dampens consumption and raises companies’ input costs,” Fitch economists said in a report.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The decrease in real wages is “a big turnaround from the past few years, when wages were growing well above inflation for most workers.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

But it could also restore dynamism, lift productivity, raise real wages, and strengthen long-term economic growth.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

In short, the efficiency of labour was found to vary with tolerable accuracy in accordance with the standard of comfort or real wages.

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

Related Words

• net income