Real average weekly earnings were unchanged from August to September after seasonal adjustment, according to preliminary data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.

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) were offset by a 0.3 percent decrease in average weekly hours.

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 2.8 percent, seasonally adjusted, from September 2007 to September 2008. After deflation by the CPI-W, average weekly earnings decreased by 2.5 percent. Before adjustment for seasonal change and inflation, average weekly earnings were $613.34 in September 2008, compared with $603.29 a year earlier.