What was the average annual increase in male earnings from 1870 to
1970; from 1970 to 1995; and from 1995 to 2000 in the US? I assume
that the answers will be inflation-adjusted.

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Clarification of Question by bill666-ga on 28 Mar 2003 03:02 PST

I meant to add that I would also like average family income for the same period.

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Clarification of Question by bill666-ga on 28 Mar 2003 03:03 PST

I meant to add that I would also like average family income for the same periods.

The information is likely spotty before 1919 and difficult to compare.
The computation of COLA is necessary to calulate adjustments for
inflation, and COLA probably is still being redefined every decade if
not oftener. My guess is average male hourly pay and annual income has
increased all but 9 years out of the 100 year period but 6 sharp drops
cancelled out about half of the gain that occured the other 91 years.
1970 to 1995 saw smaller gains and the gain may be zero 1995 to 2000
or to 2001. Finagle factors are difficult to derive. Is a carbide
light for your surry with the fringe on top equal to a cellphone, DVD
player or small dish satellite? Are the ising glass windows that roll
right down or the newly invented cotten gin, light bulb, and thrashing
machine equal to the space shuttle that has killed two groups of
astronauts?   Neil