Look at the per capita income in the 70s, it seems like a consistent 10% increase every year. So, what some people said about their salary in the 70s wasn’t the exception. Income went up 145% between 1970-1980. Income went up only 85% between 1980-1990. Income went up only 55% between 1990-2000. Income went up 19% between 2000-2010.