The Wages Index
Average hourly earnings, total private sector (U.S., seasonally adjusted)
BLS average hourly earnings for all private-sector employees.
Then
2019
$28.00/hr
Now
2025
$35.80/hr
Change
2019–2025
+28%
↑ Rising
The Wages Index: 2015–2025
Average hourly earnings, total private sector (U.S., seasonally adjusted)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics (CES0500000003)keepingupwithinflation.com
Historical Datakeepingupwithinflation.com
| Year | Price | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $25.00 | — |
| 2016 | $25.50 | +2.0% |
| 2017 | $26.00 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | $26.80 | +3.1% |
| 2019 | $28.00 | +4.5% |
| 2020 | $28.50 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $29.90 | +4.9% |
| 2022 | $32.00 | +7.0% |
| 2023 | $33.40 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $34.75 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $35.80 | +3.0% |
Analysis
Nominal wages have risen steadily. BLS Current Employment Statistics put average hourly earnings for the total private sector at $35.80 in 2025 — up 28% from 2019. The pace of increases accelerated after 2020: annual gains averaged roughly $1.50/hour from 2020–2025, compared with about $0.60/hour in the 2015–2019 period.
Whether paychecks have kept up with inflation is the other half of the story. Cumulative CPI inflation from 2019 to 2025 was about 22%. So in nominal terms, wages are ahead — but the gap is narrow, and for many workers real (inflation-adjusted) wages have been flat or slightly negative. Lower-wage workers saw the fastest nominal gains; middle-income workers have been the most squeezed.
For the full picture — real wages vs. inflation on one chart — get the Wages vs. inflation embed on our Charts page and read Wages vs. Prices.