In 2022, the usual median hourly rate of a worker's wage in the United States was 18.12 U.S. dollars, a decrease from the previous year. Dollar value is based on 2022 U.S. dollars. In 1979, the median hourly earnings in the U.S. was 16.75 dollars.
Median inflation adjusted hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States from 1979 to 2022
(in constant 2022 U.S. dollars)
Characteristic
Wage in constant 2022 U.S. dollars
2022
18.12
2021
18.4
2020
18.53
2019
17.62
2018
17.53
2017
17.52
2016
17.11
2015
16.65
2014
16.3
2013
16.31
2012
16.39
2011
16.61
2010
16.87
2009
17.06
2008
16.71
2007
16.95
2006
17.17
2005
16.85
2004
17.13
2003
17.36
2002
17.14
2001
16.93
2000
16.94
1999
16.84
1998
16.43
1997
16
1996
15.7
1995
15.68
1994
15.74
1993
15.77
1992
15.88
1991
15.79
1990
15.79
1989
16.03
1988
16.1
1987
16.05
1986
15.9
1985
15.7
1984
15.71
1983
15.7
1982
15.79
1981
15.99
1980
16.34
1979
16.75
Zoomable Statistic: Select the range in the chart you want to zoom in on.
The term constant dollars refers to a metric for valuing the price of something over time, without that metric changing due to inflation or deflation. The term specifically refers to dollars whose present value is linked to a given year.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (January 1, 2024). Median inflation adjusted hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States from 1979 to 2022 (in constant 2022 U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/185369/median-hourly-earnings-of-wage-and-salary-workers/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Median inflation adjusted hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States from 1979 to 2022 (in constant 2022 U.S. dollars)." Chart. January 1, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/185369/median-hourly-earnings-of-wage-and-salary-workers/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Median inflation adjusted hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States from 1979 to 2022 (in constant 2022 U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 26, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/185369/median-hourly-earnings-of-wage-and-salary-workers/
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Median Inflation Adjusted Hourly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers in The United States from 1979 to 2022 (in Constant 2022 U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/185369/median-hourly-earnings-of-wage-and-salary-workers/
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Median inflation adjusted hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States from 1979 to 2022 (in constant 2022 U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/185369/median-hourly-earnings-of-wage-and-salary-workers/ (last visited November 26, 2024)
Median inflation adjusted hourly earnings of wage and salary workers in the United States from 1979 to 2022 (in constant 2022 U.S. dollars) [Graph], Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/185369/median-hourly-earnings-of-wage-and-salary-workers/