real wages

American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

plural noun

Economics.

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

---

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

---

real wages Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of real wages

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Consumer spending, two-thirds of US GDP, is pressured by falling real wages; AI enthusiasm also appears shaky.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Overall, real wages rose slightly faster in the 12 months ended in January than in the prior 12 months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

The big news from the economy this week is that inflation is coming down, the jobs market is better than expected and real wages are rising.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

On the other hand, everything which makes goods cheaper, increases the real wages of workmen; because they can get more of the goods in exchange for the same money wages.

From Political economy by Jevons, W. Stanley

Related Words

• net income