In This Release Is Embargoed — 2000-10-18

Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.1 percent between August and September 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 0.6 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This movement was mostly offset by a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.3 percent increase in average weekly hours. 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 3.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, from September 1999 to September 2000. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings decreased by 0.2 percent.