In This Release Is Embargoed — 2005-03-23

Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.4 percent from January 2005 to February 2005 after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The change resulted from a 0.4 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Average hourly earnings and average weekly hours were unchanged. Data on average weekly earnings are collected from the payroll reports of private nonfarm establishments. Earnings of both full-time and part-time workers holding production or nonsupervisory jobs are included. Real average weekly earnings are calculated by adjusting earnings in current dollars for changes in the CPI-W. Average weekly earnings rose by 2.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February 2004 to February 2005. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings decreased by 0.8 percent. Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, average weekly earnings were $532.06 in February 2005, compared with $526.94 a year earlier.