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February 27, 2020EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, DECEMBER AND ANNUAL 2019
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) decreased 0.5 per cent (-$4.75) from November 2019 to $919.77 in December 2019. Average weekly wages were up 3.4 per cent compared with December 2018. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.2 per cent month to month ($1,042.39 in December) and were 3.4 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, there are monthly increases in four provinces lead by Newfoundland and Labrador (+0.9 per cent) and New Brunswick (+0.8 per cent). Compared to the previous month, Prince Edward Island (-0.9 per cent), Manitoba and Saskatchewan (-0.7 per cent). had the largest declines in average weekly earnings.
Compared to a year ago, average wages are higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in New Brunswick (+4.7 per cent), Quebec (+4.4 per cent) and Saskatchewan (+4.1 per cent). The slowest year-over-year growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Newfoundland and Labrador (+1.8 per cent) and Manitoba (+1.5 per cent).
Annually, average weekly earnings are up 2.7 per cent nationally in 2019, with all provinces reporting increases. Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings have increased 3.8 per cent, the fastest growth among the provinces compared to 2018. The slowest annual average weekly earnings growth was in Alberta (+1.4%).
Annual growth in average weekly earnings was faster in 2019 than in 2018 for all provinces except Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
In 2019, average weekly earnings are up 4.5 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors. Goods sector wages were up for manufacturing and construction sectors. Service sector average earnings were up 3.7 per cent in 2019. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in administration and support services (+7.0 per cent), real estate (+6.6 per cent), professional, scientific and technical services (+6.4 per cent), and finance and insurance (+6.0 per cent).
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 425,070 payroll employees in December, a drop of 0.2 per cent compared to last month, and up 2.2 per cent compared to last December. Canada had 17.0 million employees, same as last month and up 1.7 per cent compared to a year ago.
Nova Scotia's payroll employment has been trending upwards since 2017.
In 2019, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 2.4 per cent from 2018. Nationally, payroll employment is up 2.1 per cent in 2019, with all provinces reporting increases during 2019. The fastest payroll employment growth has been observed in Prince Edward Island (+3.4 per cent), followed by Quebec (+2.7 per cent) and New Brunswick (+2.6 per cent). The slowest growth in payroll employment was observed in Newfoundland and Labrador (+0.7 per cent), Manitoba (+0.9 per cent) and Alberta (+1.0 per cent).
Employment growth was faster in 2019 than in 2018 in all provinces except Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. Nationally payroll employment growth was slower in 2019 than 2018.
In 2019, payroll employment was up 1.7 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors. Goods sector payroll employment was up for both manufacturing and construction sectors. Service sector employment was up 2.5 per cent in 2019. Service sector payroll employment increased the most in percentage terms in real estate/leasing (+4.1 per cent), company management (+3.9 per cent), arts/entertainment/recreation (+3.6 per cent), and accommodation & food services (+3.3 per cent) There were payroll employment declines observed in 2 sectors: information/cultural industries (-1.0 per cent) as well as in administration/support services (-1.7 per cent).
REFERENCE TABLES - (2019 vs. 2018)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01
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