Economic News Release

 Internet Address: http://www.bls.gov/ces/
 Technical information: (202) 691-6555     USDL 09-0679
 Media contact:               691-5902
 
                                           TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL
                                           IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
                                           UNTIL 8:30 AM EDT, WEDNESDAY,
                                           JUNE 17, 2009
  
                          REAL EARNINGS IN MAY 2009
 
     Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.3 percent from April to May 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 and a 0.1 increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage 
Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) were partially offset by a 0.1 percent 
increase in average hourly earnings. 
  
     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 1.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, from May 
2008 to May 2009.  After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings increased 
by 2.8 percent.  Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, average 
weekly earnings were $609.84 in May 2009, compared with $602.78 a year earlier.
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     Real Earnings for June 2009 will be released on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.