According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, real (adjusted for inflation) average hourly earnings were unchanged from January 2016 to January 2017. Before adjusting for inflation, average hourly earnings increased 2.5 percent over the 12 months ending in January 2017. Over the same period, the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which is used to adjust average hourly earnings for inflation, also increased 2.5 percent.
Since 2009, the 12-month change in average hourly earnings ranged from 1.5 percent (in October 2012) to 3.6 percent (in December 2008 and January 2009). Over the same period, the 12-month change in the CPI-U ranged from −2.0 percent (in July 2009) to 5.5 percent (in July 2008). The 12-month change in real hourly earnings ranged from −2.4 (in July 2008) percent to 4.8 percent (in July 2009).
The 12-month changes in average hourly earnings and the CPI-U were equal in April, May, and June 2014. From that time until December 2016, the change in hourly earnings was greater than the change in the CPI-U, resulting in positive changes in real average hourly earnings.
These data are from the Current Employment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent 2 months are preliminary.
