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                                           TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
                                           IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
                                           UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT, WEDNESDAY,
                                           APRIL 15, 2009
  
                          REAL EARNINGS IN MARCH 2009
 
     Real average weekly earnings were about unchanged from February to March after 
seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.  A 0.3 percent decrease in 
average weekly hours was offset by a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly 
earnings and a 0.1 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage 
Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). 
  
     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 1.5 percent, seasonally adjusted, from March 
2008 to March 2009.  After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings 
increased by 2.6 percent.  Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, 
average weekly earnings were $616.19 in March 2009, compared with $607.39 a year 
earlier.
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     Real Earnings for April 2009 will be released on Friday, May 15, 2009.