Average hourly earnings for U.S. workers improves 0.1%

Real average hourly earnings for all employees rose 0.1 percent from January to February, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on March 18. This increase stems from a 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings while the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) remained unchanged.

Real average weekly earnings fell 0.2 percent over the month, as a result of a 0.3 percent decline in the average work week offsetting the increase in real average hourly earnings. Over the past six months, real average weekly earnings have changed little.

Real average hourly earnings fell 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February 2009 to February 2010. A 0.9 percent decline in average weekly hours combined with the decrease in real average hourly earnings, resulted in a 1.2 percent decline in real average weekly earnings during this period.

Production and non-supervisory employees
Real average hourly earnings for production and non-supervisory employees rose 0.1 percent from January to February, seasonally adjusted. This increase stems from a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly earnings while the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) remained unchanged.

Real average weekly earnings decreased 0.4 percent over the month, as a 0.6 percent decrease in the average work week partially offset an increase in real average hourly earnings. Since reaching a high point in December 2008, real average weekly earnings have fallen by 1.4 percent.

Real average hourly earnings fell 0.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, from February 2009 to February 2010. The change in real average hourly earnings, combined with a 0.3 percent decline in the average work week, resulted in a 0.7 percent decrease in real average weekly earnings during this period.