Average hourly pay and consumer prices have both risen about 5.4% since January 2025
Workers' real wages have not grown, on average, in Trump's second term.
BLS data show real average hourly earnings fell 0.7% over the past year, and inflation has outpaced wage gains for six straight months as the Iran-war energy shock feeds into prices.
- Prices since January 2025: up 5.4% (BLS, per The Washington Post)
- Hourly pay since January 2025: up 5.4% per The Washington Post; 5.5% per Heather Long
- Real average hourly earnings, past 12 months: down 0.7% (BLS)