The Real-Raise Math — your raise vs the receipt

WAGES: BLS JOBS REPORT (AUG 7) · PRICES: BLS CPI (JUNE 2026 YOY; JULY PRINTS WED AUG 12 8:30AM ET) · MATH VERIFIED AUG 10, 2026

Pay growth (AHE, YoY)

+3.2%

lowest since May 2021

Price growth (CPI, YoY)

+3.5%

June · July prints Wednesday

The average raise is losing by −0.29% — a negative REAL raise

Salary	3.2% raise adds	3.5% inflation costs	You fall behind by
$45,000	+$1,440	−$1,575	−$135 / yr
$50,000	+$1,600	−$1,750	−$150 / yr
$60,000	+$1,920	−$2,100	−$180 / yr

The one-line formula (the free artifact — comment RAISE)

Real raise = your raise % − CPI % · Dollars behind = salary × (CPI % − raise %)

The negotiation sentence: "Inflation ran 3.5% — a raise below that is a pay cut." Bring the print to the review. Negotiate against CPI, not against zero.

Sources: BLS Employment Situation Jul 2026 (AHE +3.2% YoY) · BLS CPI Jun 2026 (+3.5% YoY, core +2.6%). Wednesday's July CPI is the live verdict — update this board after 8:30am ET Aug 12. Educational content only — not financial advice.