Commentary For the average worker, prices rose faster than wages in nine out of 12 months last year. Real means inflation adjusted. Real Wage Key Points The average worker lost money to inflation nine out of 12 months in 2021. Workers came out ahead only in August, September, and December. Production and non-supervisory workers did slightly better, losing money eight out of 12 months. They showed a slight gain in July as well. Hourly Wages and Real Hourly Wages Percent Change  Nominal Wage Key Points On a nominal basis, wages only declined once, in March, and that was for total private. Wages were flat or positive every month in 2021 for production and non-supervisory workers. In January, wages were flat for production workers and all private workers. Real Hourly Earnings Since 1964 Hourly Earnings Key Points The above chart shows nominal and real hourly earnings dating to 1964. The series …