Paychecks have grown since early 2025, but so have prices, and by almost exactly the same amount. New figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the average American worker has gained no ground in buying power during President Donald Trump’s second term.
\n\nThe government released the data on Wednesday. Between January 2025 and September 2026, both consumer prices and average hourly pay climbed by about 5.4 percent. In practical terms, a worker earning more dollars per hour can buy about the same amount as before.
\n\nThis is not a one-off. For roughly six months, inflation has been rising faster than average hourly pay.
\n\nThe White House sees it differently. A spokesperson said Trump has pushed an aggressive, pro-growth agenda that has “blunted Biden’s inflation crisis,” boosted economic growth, raised wages and created private-sector jobs in areas that had been hollowed out. The statement was given in response to a request for comment on inflation, the Washington Post reported.
\n\nReal wage growth only happens when your raise beats inflation. If prices rise 5 percent too, you are earning more dollars but can buy exactly what you could before. Your purchasing power hasn’t moved.
\n\nWhen real wages fall, the squeeze is…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world
