The wage of labor -- or more generally the price of any factor -- relative to an appropriate price index for the goods and services that the worker (or factor owner) consumes.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the nominal wage divided by the (consumer) price level
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the wage or price of labor adjusted for inflation; in contrast, the nominal wage has not been adjusted for inflation.