Real average weekly earnings decreased by 1.0 percent from June to July after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.Department of Labor. This decline was due to a drop of 0.9 percent in average weekly hours along with a 0.2 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Average hourly earnings were unchanged in July.

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.

Before seasonal adjustment, average weekly earnings increased by 3.8 percent between July of 1996 and 1997 as a result of a 3.5 percent increase in average hourly earnings and a 0.3 percent increase in average weekly hours. After adjustment for a 2.1 percent gain in the CPI-W over the same period, real average weekly earnings grew by 1.7 percent. Before adjustment for seasonal change and deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings were $421.26 in July 1997, compared with $405.86 a year earlier.

August 14, 1997 U. S. Department of Labor

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