Average hourly earnings for U.S. workers rose 0.5% in May

Real average hourly earnings for all employees rose 0.5 percent from April to May, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on June 17. This increase stems from a 0.3 percent increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.2 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings rose 0.8 percent over the month, as a result of a 0.3 percent increase in the average work week combined with the increase in real average hourly earnings. Since reaching a recent low in October 2009, real average weekly earnings have risen 2.1 percent.

Real average hourly earnings was unchanged, seasonally adjusted, from May 2009 to May 2010. A 0.9 percent increase in average weekly hours, combined with the unchanged real average hourly earnings resulted in an 0.9 percent increase in real average weekly earnings during this period.

Production and non-supervisory employees
Real average hourly earnings for production and non-supervisory employees increased 0.5 percent from April to May, seasonally adjusted. This increase stemmed from a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.3 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

Real average weekly earnings rose 0.8 percent over the month, as a 0.3 percent increase in the average work week was combined with the increase in real average hourly earnings. Since reaching a low point in June 2009, real average weekly earnings have risen 2.2 percent.

Real average hourly earnings fell 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, from May 2009 to May 2010. The decline in real average hourly earnings and a 1.2 percent increase in the average work week resulted in a 1.1 percent increase in real average weekly earnings during this period.