Real wages are earnings after adjusting downward for inflation.

"Wages are growing faster than prices — putting more money in Americans’ pockets.
Real average hourly earnings for all private-sector workers rose in January, up 1.2% over the past year; for middle- and lower-wage workers, gains were even stronger at 1.5%.
In President Trump’s first year back in office, real earnings for all private-sector workers have outpaced inflation by nearly $1,400 — earning back some of the nearly $3,000 they lost under Biden.
Mining workers: +$2,400
Construction workers: +$2,100
Manufacturing workers: +$1,700
Goods producing workers: +$1,700"
https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/02/president-trump-delivers-another-inflation-win-real-wages-surge-price-relief-reaches-americans/


https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/real-average-hourly-earnings-increased-1-2-percent-from-july-2024-to-july-2025.htm