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June 28, 2018EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, APRIL 2018 
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) decreased by $7.55 per week (-0.9 per cent) from March 2018 to $862.04 in April. Average weekly wages were level with April of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages declined 0.3 per cent month to month ($994.68 in April 2018), and were 2.5 per cent higher than they were a year ago.
Changes in average weekly earnings reflect wage growth, changes in the composition of employment by industry/occupation/experience; and average hours worked per week.
Across the country, monthly average weekly wages declined 0.3 per cent, with increases in four provinces. Comparing the latest results with April 2017, all provinces saw increases in average weekly earnings except Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.6 per cent), Saskatchewan (-0.1 per cent), and Nova Scotia (level with one year ago). The largest increase in percentage terms was reported in Quebec and Prince Edward Island (both +3.7 per cent).
Year to date, average weekly earnings are up 3.0 per cent nationally, with all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting increases. Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings are up 0.7 per cent (YTD) compared to the first four months of 2017.
In the first four months of the year, average weekly earnings are up 2.4 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to January-April 2017. Goods sector wage growth was primarily due to growth in the construction sector while manufacturing wages were unchanged compared to the first four months of last year. Service sector earnings edged up 0.3 per cent, year to date. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in personal/repair (other services), followed by arts, entertainment and recreation, and real estate and rental and leasing. There have been declines in average weekly earnings in information and cultural services, and administration and support services.
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 409,854 payroll employees in April, level with the previous month, and up 1.3 per cent compared to last April. Canada had 16.5 million employees, relatively unchanged compared to last month and up 2.4 per cent compared to a year ago.
Nova Scotia's payroll employment has been generally trending upwards since 2014.
Year to date, payroll employment is up 2.3 per cent across Canada. The fastest payroll employment growth has been observed in British Columbia and Quebec. Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 1.4 per cent (YTD) compared to the first four months of 2017.
REFERENCE TABLES - Year to Date (January-April 2018 vs. January-April 2017)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01
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