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

See Examples For:

real wages

As paychecks lagged, real wages fell—down 3.6% over the year ending in June 2022—and the federal minimum wage reached its lowest real value since 1956.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 5, 2026

“We like bonds because high real rates and low real wages are punitive for the economy,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 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

“Even if the war ends quickly, the economy will likely take some time to reset, and real wages may take a hit until then,” he said.

From MarketWatch ● May 12, 2026

In 2004, Brazil enjoyed more robust growth that yielded   increases in employment and real wages.

From The 2005 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency

Related Words

• net income