In fact, you are incorrect. Real wages have decreased YoY. Anything can be classified by “strong labor numbers” by people who are trying to deceive you. Remember this next time you turn the TV on or open a newspaper.
I am getting my information from experience from people who are hiring in the bottom 3 income deciles or so.
Certainly not academic, but I also do not think national statistics captures the entire picture. The nominal wage is also not the entire wage, as quality of life at work can be going up which is also a type of wage.
People can be earning $40k per year, but having to do less work in prior years, for example. Or no longer having to work weekends or evenings or nights.
Either way, the desirable changes for labor sellers would be a reflection of the change in labor supply v labor demand.
But it can be negative for higher income groups and positive for low income groups simultaneously.