In 1980, I made $23,409 working at a grocery store

[DENVERPOPS]

60. Of course you didn't

know any checker that made 45K back then........

Because the grocery stores didn't allow checkers to work over 20-30 hours a week, so they didn't have to give the checkers one single fringe benefit......No sick days, no holidays, no vacation days, no health insurance, no un-employment benefits, nada

Also, speaking of "contorted" earnings figures........Teachers back then always complained about the amount they earned a year........of course they actually earned that amount for nine months of work, and it was actually eight months they worked, if you deducted the school vacations, holidays, etc.

Back in the day, Nurse's and Teacher's pay was considered by many, "Professional Poverty" especially considering they both required a four year degree.......

Also, consider the 80's, and even beyond......when Reagan Busted Unions across the land in every industry/occupation.......
Pre-Reagan, union Electricians in Denver were earning 22.00 an hour, with 26% in fringe benefits. After Reagan busted the ATC Union, it signaled to almost all union employers that they could do the same with no recourse from the NLRB. Those electricians, a week after Reagan declared war on Unions, with the ATC employees, those same electricians went to 12.00 an hour with NO benefits. That was true of all the trades. They didn't get back to that 22.00 an hour, but with only 18% fringe until sometime in the mid to late 90's.........
It also affected the non-union employees, during that time period, as their wages dropped an equivalent amount, comparable to the Union employees.