Real Earnings In November 2007

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REAL EARNINGS IN NOVEMBER 2007

Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.4 percent from October to November
after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released today by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. A 0.5 percent
increase in average hourly earnings was more than offset by a 0.9 percent
increase 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 3.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, from
November 2006 to November 2007. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly
earnings decreased by 0.8 percent. Before adjustment for seasonal change and
inflation, average weekly earnings were $595.89 in November 2007, compared with
$574.26 a year earlier.