Salary Inflation Tracker
Has your salary kept up with inflation? Compare your raises to CPI growth over time.
FAQ
What's CPI-U?
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers — the BLS's most-cited inflation measure. It tracks a basket of typical goods and services.
Why does inflation feel higher than CPI says?
Different categories inflate at different rates. Housing, healthcare, and education have outpaced overall CPI for decades; electronics and clothing have deflated. Your personal basket may differ.
What's a "real" raise?
A raise above inflation. If you got a 3% raise but inflation was 3%, your real raise was 0% — you can buy the same stuff. A 5% raise with 3% inflation = ~2% real raise.
How often should I benchmark?
Annually at minimum, especially during high-inflation periods. If your raises haven't matched inflation, you're effectively taking a pay cut every year.
Disclaimer. CPI is an average and may not reflect your personal cost basket. Different categories (housing, healthcare, food) inflate at different rates. Wage growth tracker data also available from BLS.