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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

OPA Press Release: Statement of U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman Regarding the BLS Release of Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers for the Fourth Quarter[01/20/2000]

For more information call: 202-693-4650

In 1999, the inflation-adjusted weekly earnings of the typical American worker posted an increase of 2.9 percent. This percent increase is the highest on record. The Bureau of Labor Statistics began collecting this data on a regular basis in 1979.

One of my priorities as Secretary of Labor has been creating opportunities for our nation's youth. I am pleased to report that they experienced strong wage gains during 1999.

Yet, this report reminds us that education and training are the passport to higher earnings. Despite the fact that earnings rose for all education groups, the usual weekly earnings of high school graduates are only 57 percent of what college graduates earn.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.