These Canadians are leading wage gains so far in 2018

StatsCan data reveals annual rise for average wages

These Canadians are leading wage gains so far in 2018
Steve Randall

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).

These were the sectors that paid their workers more
Eight of the ten main sector groups increased wages year-over-year in February and this included larger increases for some of the lowest paid workers.

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.

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