Real Earnings Are Unchanged

ByJohn S. McClenahen Not feeling better off -- nor less better off -- than you were a month ago? If that's how you feel, it's not surprising. Statistics from the U.S. Labor Department reveal that inflation-adjusted average weekly earnings were basically unchanged between February and March of this year. A 0.3% increase in average hourly earnings in March was offset by a 0.3% increase in the Consumer Price Index. Average weekly hours were unchanged. In case you're wondering about the dollars, average weekly earnings were $497.99 in March 2002.