Michael Pavone @retrodev.com · May 17 1 / 3
So looking at CPI from September 2019 to September 2025 (most income series don't have data more recent than Q3 2025) I see ~26.4% increase in CPI which is in line with what you say, but nominal wages are up more. 1st quartile is up ~33.9%, 2nd quartile ~31.9%, 3rd quartile is up 29.8%
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But it's generally easier to just use a series that's already inflation adjusted. Here's all workers. Things got weird during the pandemic, but trend is up and so is Q3 2025/Q3 2019. Lots of different wage measures you could use, but the most obvious ones all seem up over 2019 in real dollars