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WTF happened in 1971?

194819712026

+107%

Productivity since 1971

+38%

Typical pay since 1971

Since 1971, US productivity is up about 107%. Typical workers' pay is up about 38%.

After 1971, pay stopped keeping up with work.

Source: Economic Policy Institute, Productivity-Pay Tracker (data to Q2 2026) · Oct 16, 2026

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