US Salary growth: Perception and Reality
 

IMO, it originates from the fact that these figures are national averages, which can be all fine and dandy if you reside anywhere that inflation (read; expense of living) reaches o-r below the national average. Problem is that big companies foundation salary off of national average, and the majority of these figures just originate from big buisnes. If you are getting paid the national average in areas like Ny, Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, etc... You're perhaps not earning money wage. Not that I'm to get a living wage. I'm only saying that it's in these areas that issues get most reputation. Ergo, while belief and reality may possibly not be seeing eye to eye, they're equally the same in places using the loudest voice.