StatsCan data reveals annual rise for average wages
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Canadians were earning more at the start of this year than they were a year earlier according to new data.
Statistics Canada reported Thursday that the average non-farm payroll employee saw little change in their weekly pay cheque in February compared to January, but year-over-year they increased earnings by 3.4% to $997, working an average 32.7 hours per week.
The provinces where wages saw the largest percentage increases were Quebec (4.4% to $926) and Alberta (4.3% to $1,158).
Workers in New Brunswick added an extra 3.8% to their pay cheques over the 12 months to February with an average of $905 per week, followed by a 3.6% rise for PEI ($845), 3.3% in Ontario ($1,106), 3.0% in BC ($958), 2.4% in Manitoba ($929), 1.7% in Nova Scotia ($861), and 1.6% in Saskatchewan ($1,014).
Employees in the food and accommodation sector saw the largest percentage gain in average weekly earnings, up 8.6% year-over-year to $399; while retail workers saw a 7.5% rise to $596.
Workers in the wholesale trade sector gained 4.4% to $1,239, and public administration workers added 3.6% to their pay cheques to $1,290.
Professional, scientific, and technical services workers were paid an average $1,373 per week, up 3.0% year-over-year; and the education sector saw a 2.9% rise to $1,049 as primary and secondary school wages increased.
Admin and support workers were paid an extra 2.4% in February 2018 compared to 12 months earlier at $793, while construction workers gained 1.7% to an average weekly wage of $1,233.
