Economic News Release

 Internet Address: http://www.bls.gov/ces/
 Technical information: (202) 691-6555     USDL 08-1309
 Media contact:               691-5902
 
                                           TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
                                           IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
                                           UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT, TUESDAY,
                                           SEPTEMBER 16, 2008
  
                          REAL EARNINGS IN AUGUST 2008
 
     Real average weekly earnings rose by 0.6 percent from July to August after 
seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau 
of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.  This increase stemmed from 
a 0.4 percent increase in average hourly earnings combined with a 0.2 percent 
decrease in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers 
(CPI-W).  Average weekly hours were unchanged.
  
     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 
August 2007 to August 2008.  After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly 
earnings decreased by 2.5 percent.  Before adjustment for seasonal change and 
inflation, average weekly earnings were $611.90 in August 2008, compared with 
$592.28 a year earlier.
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     Real Earnings for September 2008 will be released on Thursday, October 16, 
2008.