In This Release Is Embargoed — 2003-12-16

Real average weekly earnings increased by 0.6 percent from October to November after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. This was due to a 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings, a 0.3 percent rise in average weekly hours, and a 0.3 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). 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 2.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, from November 2002 to November 2003. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings increased by 0.8 percent.