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December 22, 2020EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, OCTOBER 2020 PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 408,772 payroll employees in October 2020, an increase of 2.0% (+8,011) compared to September 2020, and down 4.2% (-18,048) compared to last October. Nova Scotia's payroll employment had been trending upwards since 2017 but declined sharply after February due to restrictions and closures resulting from COVID-19 and partially rebounding since June due to eased restrictions.
Canada had 16.0 million employees, an increase of 1.2% (+183,660) compared to last month and down 6.1% (-1,046,009) compared to a year ago.
Compared to Jan-Oct 2019, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is down 7.0%. Nationally, payroll employment is down 8.6% in Jan-Oct 2020, with all provinces reporting decreases. The largest payroll employment decline has been observed in Alberta (-10.4%), Ontario (-9.1%) followed by Newfoundland and Labrador (-8.7%) and British Columbia (-8.6%). The smallest declines have been observed in the Maritimes: New Brunswick (-5.3%), Prince Edward Island (-6.9%) and Nova Scotia (-7.0%).
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is down 3.7%. Nationally, payroll employment is down 6.1% in October 2020, with all provinces reporting decreases. The largest payroll employment decline has been observed in Alberta (-7.7%), Ontario (-7.2%) followed by British Columbia (-6.2%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (-6.0%). The smallest decline has been observed in New Brunswick (-1.4%).
In Jan-Oct 2020, payroll employment was down 8.0% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to Jan-Oct 2019. Goods sector payroll employment was down for manufacturing (-6.4%), construction (-10.6%) and forestry/logging (-9.9%) sectors compared to Jan-Oct 2019.
Service sector employment was down 6.6% in Jan-Oct 2020 compared to Jan-Oct 2019. Service sector payroll employment decreased the most in percentage terms in arts/entertainment/recreation (-27.0%), accommodation and food services (-25.2%), and other services (except public administration) (-11.7%). Payroll employment increased in finance and insurance (+1.4%) and management of companies (+3.9%).
AVERAGE WEEKLY EARNINGS
Changes in average weekly earnings reflect wage growth as well as changes in the composition of employment by industry/occupation/experience, and average hours worked per week. During COVID-19, large employment losses have been reported in industries with relatively low average weekly earnings. This means that average weekly earnings rises because those remaining employed are working in industries with higher average weekly earnings.
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased 2.3% (+$22.13) from September 2020 to $981.72 in October 2020. Average weekly wages were up 6.5% compared with October 2019. Canadians' average weekly wages edged down 0.1% month to month ($1,106.18 in October) and were 5.9% higher than they were a year ago.
Across the country, there are monthly decreases in five provinces, with the largest decrease in Alberta and Saskatchewan (both at -0.8%). The largest increases were reported in Nova Scotia (+2.3%) and Prince Edward Island (+1.2%).
Compared to a year ago, average wages were higher in all provinces except Alberta (-0.4%), with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in Prince Edward Island (+8.9%), Quebec (+7.9%), and Ontario (+7.5%).
Compared to Jan-Oct 2019, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 7.0%. Nationally, average wages were up 6.8% in Jan-Oct 2020. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in Prince Edward Island (+9.4%), British Columbia (+8.4%), and Quebec (+7.9%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+3.5%), Manitoba (+3.9%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (+4.1%).
Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's average wages were up 5.8%. Nationally, average wages were up 5.7% in October 2020 over February 2020. Average wages were higher in all provinces, with the largest increases in percentage terms reported in Prince Edward Island (+8.6%) and Ontario (+7.5%). The slowest growth in average weekly earnings was observed in Alberta (+0.7%).
In Jan-Oct 2020 (compared to Jan-Oct 2019), average weekly earnings were up 1.4% in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors. Goods sector wages were up for construction and lower in manufacturing and forestry and logging sectors. Service sector average earnings were up 8.3% in Jan-Oct 2020. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in information & culture (+16.1%) and arts, entertainment & recreation (+14.9%).
REFERENCE TABLES - (Jan-Oct 2020 vs Jan-Oct 2019)
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0222-01 Employment, average hourly and weekly earnings (including overtime), and average weekly hours for the industrial aggregate excluding unclassified businesses, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0223-01 Employment and average weekly earnings (including overtime) for all employees by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted
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