Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until	                         USDL-20-1694
8:30 a.m. (EDT), Friday, September 11, 2020

Technical Information:	(202) 691-6555  *  cesinfo@bls.gov  *  www.bls.gov/ces
Media Contact:	        (202) 691-5902  *  PressOffice@bls.gov

REAL EARNINGS – AUGUST 2020

All employees

Real average hourly earnings for all employees were unchanged from July to August, seasonally 
adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This result stems from an increase of 0.4 
percent in average hourly earnings offset by an increase of 0.4 percent in the Consumer Price Index for 
All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Real average weekly earnings increased 0.3 percent over the month due to no change in real average 
hourly earnings combined with a 0.3-percent increase in the average workweek.  

Real average hourly earnings increased 3.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, from August 2019 to August 
2020. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with an increase of 0.6 percent in the 
average workweek resulted in a 3.9-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period.


Production and nonsupervisory employees

Real average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees increased 0.2 percent from 
July to August, seasonally adjusted. This result stems from a 0.7-percent increase in average hourly 
earnings combined with an increase of 0.4 percent in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners 
and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

Real average weekly earnings increased 0.3 percent over the month due to the change in real average 
hourly earnings combined with no change in average weekly hours. 

From August 2019 to August 2020, real average hourly earnings increased 3.5 percent, seasonally 
adjusted. The change in real average hourly earnings combined with a 1.2-percent increase in the 
average workweek resulted in a 4.7-percent increase in real average weekly earnings over this period. 

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 *													*
 *      Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impact on August 2020 Establishment Survey Data				*
 *													*
 * Earnings data from the establishment survey for August reflect the continued resumption of economic	*
 * activity that had been curtailed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain 	*
 * it.   The “Frequently asked questions” at www.bls.gov/ces/notices/2020/covid-19-august-2020.htm 	*
 * address questions about the impact of the pandemic on the establishment survey (Current Employment	*
 * Statistics, or CES) for August 2020. 								*
 *													*
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_____________
Real Earnings for September 2020 is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 
8:30 a.m. (EDT).