WASHINGTON — The US consumer price index (CPI) rose a seasonally-adjusted 0.3 percent in September, while so-called core prices rose 0.1 percent, the Labor Department reported Wednesday.

Economists surveyed by MarketWatch forecast the CPI to rise 0.3 percent overall, with a 0.2 percent increase in the core rate.

The core data, which posted its smallest increase since March, strips out volatile food and energy costs.

Consumer prices have jumped an unadjusted 3.9 percent over the past year. The core rate has risen at a slower two percent pace, unchanged from August.

The increase in prices in September was led by gasoline and a wide variety of groceries.

In a related report, the government said average hourly wages adjusted for inflation fell 0.1 percent in September, seasonally adjusted.

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