Queensland is the only state in Australia in which wages have gone backwards, new Australian Bureau of Statistics data has shown.

Average weekly earnings in Queensland dropped by $15.90 in May, compared with six months earlier.

Queensland is the only state where average weekly earnings went backwards in May. Credit:Michelle Smith

The seasonally adjusted data showed total average weekly earnings decreased from $1206 to $1190.10.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland spokesman Dan Petrie said the average wage going backwards reflected a reduction in the overall hours being worked in the economy.