But by the end of the 1980's, the average paycheck, adjusted for inflation, was no bigger than a typical worker's pay in 1979.

Yet, since 1973, American trade with other countries has doubled while the average weekly paycheck has fallen by 18 percent, adjusted for inflation.

Of the remaining 13% that were recognized as distributors for further calculations, 50% earned an average annual paycheck of $1213.

And 35% earned an average paycheck of $1817.

For starters, one basic reason that manufacturing jobs are regarded as superior is that the average paycheck is a bit bigger.

And after you see an average paycheck, you don't like it so much.

The average weekly paycheck is $470, adjusted for inflation.

Taxes consume nearly half the average paycheck.

That sum was roughly four times what the typical Japanese chief executive made and 139 times the average American paycheck.

In addition, companies reduced the workweek slightly last month, causing the average weekly paycheck for hourly employees to fall to $501 from $502.