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Average Weekly Earnings Drop – Again
Data released by theBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor showed that a 0.3% increase in average hourly earnings partially offset a 0.7% increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Average weekly hours were unchanged.
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BLS reported a 0.5% decline from March to April 2008 (See Average Weekly Earnings Down by 0.5% ).
The BLS data also showed that average weekly earnings rose by 3.2%, seasonally adjusted, from May 2007 to May 2008. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings decreased by 1.2%.
Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, average weekly earnings were $601.10 in May 2008, compared to $583.01 a year earlier.
Data on average weekly earnings are collected from the payroll reports of private non-farm establishments. Real average weekly earnings are calculated by adjusting earnings in current dollars for changes in the CPI-W.
More information is available here .