A firm agreed to pay its workers $2525 an hour in 2016 and $4141 an hour in 2017. The price level for these years was 241 in 2016 and 245 in 2017. Calculate the real wage rate in each year (to the nearest cent). What is the real wage increase received by these workers in 2017?

(a) 10.4%; 16.73%

(b) 6.33%

Explanation:

Given that,

Wages paid to the workers in 2016 = $25 per hour

Price level in 2016 = 241

Wages paid to the workers in 2017 = $41 per hour

Price level in 2017 = 245

Real wage rate in 2016:

= (Nominal wages : Price level) * 100

= ($25 : 241) * 100

= 0.104 * 100

= 10.4%

Real wage rate in 2017:

= (Nominal wages : Price level) * 100

= ($41 : 245) * 100

= 0.1673 * 100

= 16.73%

Therefore, the real wage increase received by these workers in 2017 is calculated as follows:

= Real wage rate in 2017 - Real wage rate in 2016

= 16.73% - 10.4%

= 6.33%

Hence, these workers do get a raise between the two years.