While wages have increased in some periods, overall paychecks have generally not kept pace with rising costs and inflation, leading to a real decline in purchasing power for many workers.
Everything is rising except people’s paychecks.

Employment Is Up. Paychecks, Not So Much : NPR
Source: npr.org
Key Evidence
Recent analyses show wages are growing slower than inflation, causing real income declines.
marketplace.orgmarketplace.orgWhy your paycheck isn’t keeping up with inflation
bankrate.combankrate.comAmericans' Expenses Are Rising Faster Than Their Paychecks
Surveys indicate over half of workers feel their pay does not keep up with rising costs.
cnbc.comcnbc.com55% of workers say their pay isn't keeping up with inflation. What experts...
Historical data reveal asset prices and living expenses have risen significantly more than average wages over decades.
tribunemag.co.uktribunemag.co.ukEverything Is Going Up
What the Evidence Shows
The claim that "everything is rising except people’s paychecks" reflects a widely observed economic trend where the cost of living, including prices for goods, services, and housing, has increased faster than wage growth for many workers. Multiple sources indicate that although nominal wages have risen at times, these increases often lag behind inflation rates, resulting in stagnant or declining real wages.
For example, data from recent years show that inflation outpaced wage growth, especially impacting low- and middle-income workers who face higher relative burdens from rising expenses. Some reports note that while employment levels have improved and wages have grown modestly in certain sectors, these gains are insufficient to offset the rapid rise in living costs. This dynamic contributes to financial strain for many households, with a significant portion of workers reporting their paychecks do not keep up with inflation.
However, it is important to note that wage trends can vary by sector, region, and time period, and some workers have experienced pay increases. Overall, the statement captures a general economic reality but may oversimplify nuances such as wage growth in specific contexts.