Latest / Wages and Prices with Fexingo: Cost of Living, Pay Raises, and Workers' Purchasing Power
Why Real Wage Growth Still Feels Invisible to Workers
Lucas and Luna dig into a frustrating disconnect in the post-pandemic economy: average hourly earnings are up, the employment cost index is rising, but most workers say their paychecks don't feel bigger. The hosts anchor the conversation in fresh April 2026 data — hourly earnings at $37.40, up from $37.35 — and contrast that with CPI at 332.4, which has risen nearly 2% over the same period. They unpack why nominal wage growth can coexist with stagnant purchasing power, focusing on composition effects, industry mix, and the lag between wage adjustments and price increases. Lucas points…
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