The lower wages are largely due to the fact that there are more people in the workplace.

That’s the ironic thing about dual income households for everyone. Labor is cheaper, so people make less.

When we have a labor shortage, wages increase.

That’s partly why your grandpa could work at the auto parts dept and support his entire household 40-60 years ago.

We also have better standard of living, more cars, more amenities, and larger houses too.