Have Wages Kept up With Inflation? 4 Answers — and the One That Should Worry You

“Wages have kept up with inflation.” “No, they haven’t.” You’ve heard both. Both sides have data. Both sides are right — and that’s the problem. Pew Research recently ran the math four ways, using four different inflation gauges the federal government produces. The verdict on your buying power since 1999 ranges anywhere from a measly 11.5% to a respectable 22.1% real growth. Same 26 years.