Wage Growth for Blue-Collar Workers Under Trump

In the first five months of President Donald Trump’s second term, blue-collar workers have experienced wage increases of nearly 2%, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported on Tuesday.

Bessent highlighted that a 1.7% rise marks the strongest growth seen in 60 years. According to him, Trump’s first term also saw notable wage growth, though this recent figure outpaces it.

Bessent attributes this positive trend to Trump’s policies, specifically what he calls the “America First” approach.

He stated on a podcast that the focus is primarily on manufacturing. The report by the New York Post, which was shared on Tuesday, elaborated on this perspective.

Additionally, Bessent noted that the influx of illegal immigrants into the workforce, which he claims has been exacerbated by Joe Biden’s border policies, may be putting downward pressure on wages for American workers.

He referenced a recent raid by Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) at a meatpacking plant in Omaha, Nebraska, which resulted in many job openings. NBC reported that the plant was bustling with applicants, primarily Spanish-speaking individuals, filling out job applications.

In comparison, the 1.7% wage increase contrasts sharply with the decline experienced during Joe Biden’s early months in office, where wages fell by 1.7%, according to the US Treasury.

Furthermore, the report indicated that all previous administrations have generally faced wage growth declines for blue-collar workers over similar timeframes. In 1969, for instance, President Richard Nixon recorded only a 0.8% increase.