Workers' Earnings Continue Decline

By Chris Kromm / April 20, 2005

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports today that real average weekly earnings dropped 0.3 percent in March. This was the second month of decline -- real earnings dropped .3% in February as well -- putting the annual rate of decline at 3.6%.

As the BLS notes, "A 0.3 percent increase in average hourly earnings was more than offset by a 0.6 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index."

Industries where workers are losing the most ground: Construction, Utilities, Goods-Producing, and Manufacturing (all industries more highly concentrated in the South).

(Thanks to reader GF for the heads-up)

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