Cost of living has outpaced wage growth in the last several years for most Americans.
I can't speak for what it feels like on-the-ground, but the numbers saying American real wages are growing fast, especially for poorer people.
If you're making $8 and hour and get bumped up to $12, that's a 50% bump but you still can't afford to live and need a second job. Based on the job postings in my part of the US, that's pretty much standard.