Average Earnings Falls in September

A 0.2% increase in average hourly earnings was offset by a 0.3% increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).  

Real average weekly earnings rose 0.2% over the month, as a result of the 0.3% increase in the average workweek and the decrease in real average hourly earnings. Since reaching a recent peak in October 2010, real average weekly earnings have fallen 2%.  

Real average hourly earnings fell 1.9%, seasonally adjusted, from September 2010 to September 2011. This decrease combined with a 0.3% increase in average weekly hours resulted in a 1.7% decrease in real average weekly earnings during the same period.  

Production and Non-Supervisory Employees  

According to a BLS news release, real average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees fell 0.2% from August to September, seasonally adjusted. A 0.2% increase in average hourly earnings was offset by a 0.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).  

Real average weekly earnings rose 0.1% over the month, as a result of the 0.3% increase in the average workweek and the decrease in real average hourly earnings. Since reaching a recent peak in October 2010, real average weekly earnings have fallen 2.2%.  

Real average hourly earnings fell 2.4%, seasonally adjusted, from September 2010 to September 2011. The decrease in real average hourly earnings combined with a 0.3% increase in average weekly hours resulted in a 2% decrease in real average weekly earnings during this period.