January 18, 2008 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Real average weekly earnings, December 2006-December 2007

After deflation by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), average weekly earnings decreased by 0.9 percent from December 2006 to December 2007.

Percent change in real average weekly earnings, production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls, December-December, 2003-2007
[Chart data—TXT]

Before adjustment for inflation, average weekly earnings rose by 3.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, from December 2006 to December 2007. 

Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, average weekly earnings were $605.96 in December 2007. 

These earnings data are from the Current Employment Statistics Program. These data are for production and nonsupervisory workers in private nonfarm establishments. Earnings data for December 2007 are preliminary and subject to revision. Find out more in "Real Earnings in December 2007" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 08-0063.