Wire Embargo Until — 1995-05-12

Real average weekly earnings rose 0.6 percent from March to April after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. This rise stemmed from a 0.6 percent increase in average hourly earnings coupled with a 0.3 percent increase in average weekly hours. These gains were partially offset by a 0.3 percent rise 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 between April of 1994 and 1995 as a result of a 3.0 percent increase in average hourly earnings being partially offset by a 0.6 percent decline in average weekly hours.