Real average weekly earnings fell by 0.2 percent from September to October after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

This decline stemmed from a 0.3 increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which was partially offset by a 0.2 percent increase in average hourly earnings. 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 3.5 percent, seasonally adjusted, from October 2006 to October 2007. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings decreased by 0.3 percent. Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, average weekly earnings were $595.22 in October 2007, compared with $582.08 a year earlier.