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

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

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

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 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

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

Now let us see what the workman could do to advance real wages as contrasted with nominal wages.

From Creating Capital Money-making as an aim in business by Lipman, Frederick L. (Frederic Lockwood)

Related Words

• net income