But after adjusting for inflation, today's average hourly wage has just about the same purchasing power as it did in 1979, following a long slide in the 1980s and early 1990s and bumpy, inconsistent growth since then. (pewresearch.org)
In fact, in real terms the average wage peaked more than 40 years ago: The $ 4.03 - an - hour rate recorded in January 1973 has the same purchasing power as $ 22.41 would today. (pewresearch.org)
Respondents who expected their income to lose purchasing power (go up less than inflation) delayed gratification at a lower rate compared to those who expected to maintain the same purchasing power with their income. (onefpa.org)