October 09, 2026LABOUR MARKET TRENDS, SEPTEMBER 2026 September labour force survey results reflect the period from September 14 to 20, 2026.
Ages 15+ (September 2026 vs August 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted employment was little changed in September, increasing by 200 (+0.0%) to 540,700. This follows an increase of 0.5% (+2,600) in August.
The change in employment reflected a rise in full-time employment (+4,000), which was largely offset by a decline in part-time employment (-3,800). Note that changes in full-time and part-time employment can also reflect changing hours for the same job.
Nova Scotia's labour force increased by 1,400 (+0.2%) to 577,100 in September 2026.
With labour force growth outpacing employment gains, the number of unemployed persons increased by 1,100 (+3.1%). Nova Scotia's unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 6.3% in September 2026.
Nova Scotia's participation rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 62.2%, while the employment rate was unchanged at 58.3%.
Ages 15+ (September 2026 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with September 2025, Nova Scotia's working age population increased by 11,700 (+1.3%), while the labour force rose by 17,700 (+3.2%) and employment increased by 16,100 (+3.1%). The number of unemployed persons was up 1,600 (+4.6%), and the unemployment rate edged up 0.1 percentage points to 6.3%. The participation rate increased by 1.1 percentage points while the employment rate rose by 1.0 percentage points.
Ages 15+ (January-September 2026 vs January-September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
On a year-to-date basis (January-September 2026 vs January-September 2025), Nova Scotia's working age population increased by 10,200 (+1.1%), while labour force and employment both rose by 1.6% (+9,100 and +8,400, respectively). Full-time employment increased by 5,300 (+1.2%) and part-time employment was up 3,200 (+3.6%). The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.6%, while both the participation rate and employment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points.
Note: Year-to-date estimates are calculated as averages of monthly data and rounded to the nearest tenth. Year-to-date changes in the table are also rounded to the nearest tenth.
Age Cohorts (September 2026 vs August 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Among youth (ages 15-24), employment increased by 3,100 (+4.4%) while the labour force rose by 4,100 (+5.3%). With labour force growth outpacing employment gains, the youth unemployment rate increased by 0.7 percentage points to 10.8% in September 2026. The youth participation rate rose 3.5 percentage points to 69.0% while the youth employment rate increased 2.6 percentage points to 61.6%.
The population aged 25-54 makes up the largest part of the labour force. In the core age group, employment declined by 3,100 (-0.9%) while the labour force fell by 1,800 (-0.5%). With employment declining faster than the labour force, the core-aged unemployment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points to 5.9% in September 2026. The core-aged participation rate decreased 0.6 percentage points to 88.3% while the employment rate declined 0.9 percentage points to 83.1%.
Among older workers (aged 55+), employment increased by 400 (+0.3%) while the labour force declined by 800 (-0.6%). With labour force declining faster than employment, the older worker unemployment rate fell 0.9 percentage points to 4.6% in September 2026. The older worker participation rate decreased 0.3 percentage points to 31.9% while the employment rate edged up 0.1 percentage points to 30.5%.
Males and Females (Ages 15+, September 2026 vs August 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment increased by 1,300 (+0.5%) for males while the labour force rose by 1,600 (+0.5%) from August. With labour force growth slightly outpacing employment gains, the male unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.5% in September. The male participation rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 66.1%, while the male employment rate rose 0.3 percentage points to 61.8%.
Females reported a labour force decline of 300 (-0.1%) and an employment decline of 1,100 (-0.4%). With employment declining faster than the labour force, the female unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 6.1% in September. The female participation rate decreased 0.1 percentage points to 58.6% while the employment rate declined 0.3 percentage points to 55.0%.
Age and gender cohorts (September 2026 vs August 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Monthly employment gains were concentrated among youth and older workers, while employment declined among core-aged workers and females. Labour force growth was strongest among youth and males, while labour force declined among core-aged workers, older workers and females. Unemployment increased most among youth, core-aged workers and females, while unemployment declined among older workers. The largest monthly increase in labour force participation was among youth.
Age and gender cohorts (September 2026 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with September 2025, employment gains were concentrated among youth, core-aged workers, males and females. Older workers reported an employment decline. Labour force growth was strongest among youth, females and core-aged workers. Youth unemployment declined compared with one year ago, while unemployment increased among core-aged workers, males and females. Population growth among older workers translated into fewer labour force participants and more persons not in the labour force.
Age and gender cohorts (January-September 2026 vs January-September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
On a year-to-date basis, labour force and employment gains were concentrated among core-aged workers. Employment and labour force were little changed among youth and older workers compared with the same period in 2025. Population growth outpaced labour force growth among older workers and females, resulting in more persons not in the labour force.
Class of Worker and Industry (September 2026 vs August 2026, seasonally adjusted)
Employment gains in September were concentrated among private sector workers (+1,400; +0.4%) and the self-employed (+300; +0.5%), while public sector employment declined by 1,500 (-1.1%).
Classified by industry, the largest monthly employment gains were in health care and social assistance, wholesale and retail trade, business support and call centres, and construction. The largest declines were in transportation and warehousing, information, culture and recreation, public sector-related education, and manufacturing.
Class of Worker and Industry (September 2026 vs September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with September 2025, employment increased among private sector workers (+12,600; +3.8%) and the self-employed (+3,700; +6.7%), while public sector employment was little changed (-200; -0.1%).
The top three employment gains were in education, health care and social assistance, professional, scientific and technical services, and personal and repair services. The largest employment declines were in information, culture and recreation forestry, fishing and mining, and public administration. 
Class of Worker and Industry (January-September 2026 vs January-September 2025, seasonally adjusted)
Compared with January-September 2025, employment increased among private sector workers (+7,300; +2.2%) and the self-employed (+2,800; +5.1%), while public sector employment declined by 1,700 (-1.2%).
On a year-to-date basis, employment gains were concentrated in professional, scientific and technical services, transportation and warehousing, self-employment-related activities, and health care and social assistance. The largest employment declines were in wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food services, and information, culture and recreation.
Hours worked and employment (September 2026, unadjusted)
Compared with the provincial average, workers in goods-producing industries were more likely to work longer hours. More than 40 hours per week were worked by 31.6% of workers in goods-producing industries compared with 15.0% in service-producing industries and 18.1% across all industries. The highest shares working more than 40 hours per week were in forestry, fishing and mining, construction, transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing.
Part-time schedules were more common in accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, education, health care and social assistance, and personal and repair services. Workers in professional, scientific and technical services, finance, insurance and real estate, and public administration were more likely to report standard full-time schedules of 35 to 40 hours per week.
Note that some industry estimates, particularly for agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining, and utilities, are subject to greater variability due to smaller sample sizes.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, September 2026 vs September 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 4.9% from September 2025 to September 2026. Earnings growth was stronger in goods-producing industries (+9.0%) than in service-producing industries (+4.0%).
The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were reported in forestry, fishing and mining, wholesale and retail trade, and professional, scientific and technical services. Average weekly earnings declined most in information, culture and recreation, business support and call centres, and agriculture.
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,261.76 in September 2026. The highest average weekly earnings were reported in professional, scientific and technical services, utilities, public administration, and forestry, fishing and mining. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation and food services, agriculture, business support and call centres, and wholesale and retail trade.
Average weekly earnings (unadjusted, both full time and part time, January-September 2026 vs January-September 2025)
Average weekly earnings increased by 4.0% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Earnings growth was stronger in goods-producing industries (+8.2%) than in service-producing industries (+3.0%).
The fastest gains in average weekly earnings were reported in agriculture (+25.6%), personal and repair services (+17.9%), construction (+11.9%), forestry, fishing and mining (+11.3%), and finance, insurance and real estate (+7.9%). Average weekly earnings declined in information, culture and recreation (-3.6%), accommodation and food services (-2.9%), health care and social assistance (-2.6%), and transportation and warehousing (-0.1%).
Average weekly earnings across all employees were $1,235.74 in January-September 2026. The highest average weekly earnings were reported in utilities, professional, scientific and technical services, public administration, and forestry, fishing and mining. The lowest average weekly earnings were in accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail trade, business support and call centres, and agriculture.
Regions (September 2026 vs September 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with September 2025, all regions reported population growth, with the largest increase in Halifax. Labour force and employment growth were strongest in North Shore and Annapolis Valley. Cape Breton and North Shore also reported employment growth that exceeded labour force growth, resulting in fewer unemployed persons and fewer persons not in the labour force.
Southern Nova Scotia was the only region to report declines in both labour force and employment, resulting in higher unemployment and more persons not in the labour force. In Halifax, labour force and employment both increased, though labour force growth outpaced employment gains, resulting in more unemployed persons and more persons not in the labour force.
Unemployment rates declined in Cape Breton, North Shore, and Annapolis Valley. Southern Nova Scotia reported the largest increase in unemployment rate, while Halifax's unemployment rate increased slightly.
Participation and employment rates increased in Cape Breton, North Shore, and Annapolis Valley compared with one year ago. Southern Nova Scotia and Halifax reported declines in both participation and employment rates.
Regions (January-September 2026 vs January-September 2025, unadjusted 3 month moving average)
Compared with January-September 2025, population growth was concentrated in Halifax, with smaller gains in Annapolis Valley, North Shore, and Cape Breton.
In Halifax, labour force growth outpaced employment gains, resulting in more unemployed persons and more persons not in the labour force. The Annapolis Valley also reported labour force growth that exceeded employment gains, leading to more unemployed persons and fewer persons not in the labour force.
The North Shore region reported employment growth that outpaced labour force gains, resulting in fewer unemployed persons. Cape Breton reported declines in both labour force and employment, though the labour force declined faster than employment, resulting in fewer unemployed persons and more persons not in the labour force. Southern Nova Scotia reported little change in population and modest gains in labour force and employment, with unemployment essentially unchanged.
Provincial Comparisons (seasonally adjusted)
Canada's labour force declined by 0.2% from August to September 2026. Four provinces reported labour force growth, led by Newfoundland and Labrador. The largest declines were in Québec and British Columbia.
Compared with September 2025, Canada's labour force was down 0.1%. Nova Scotia reported the fastest labour force growth among provinces, followed by Alberta and Prince Edward Island. Québec reported the fastest decline.
Canada's employment declined by 0.3% in September 2026, with declines in five provinces. The fastest decline was in Québec, while the fastest gain was in Prince Edward Island.
Compared with September 2025, national employment was up 0.5%. Prince Edward Island reported the fastest employment growth, followed by Nova Scotia. Québec and British Columbia were the only provinces to report employment declines.
The national unemployment rate was 6.5% in September 2026, down from 7.1% in September 2025. Manitoba reported the lowest unemployment rate, while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest. Nova Scotia's unemployment rate was 6.3%.
Canada's participation rate was 64.8% in September 2026. Alberta reported the highest participation rate, while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest. Nova Scotia's participation rate was 62.2%.
Canada's employment rate was 60.6% in September 2026. Alberta reported the highest employment rate, while Newfoundland and Labrador reported the lowest. Nova Scotia's employment rate was 58.3%.
In unadjusted results, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings increased by 4.9% year-over-year, compared with a 2.4% gain nationally. On a year-to-date basis, Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings increased by 4.0%.
Census Metropolitan Areas (September 2026, seasonally adjusted 3 month moving average)
The Halifax & East Hants unemployment rate was 5.8% in the seasonally adjusted September 2026 three-month moving average. Outside Halifax & East Hants, the unemployment rate was 6.8%.
Halifax & East Hants reported a participation rate of 68.2% compared with 56.0% for the rest of Nova Scotia.
The employment rate in Halifax & East Hants was 64.3%, while the employment rate for the remainder of the province was 52.2%.
As in previous months, labour market conditions remained stronger in Halifax & East Hants than in the rest of Nova Scotia, with higher participation and employment rates and a lower unemployment rate.
Sources: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0036-01 Actual hours worked by industry, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0063-01 Employee wages by industry, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0287-01 Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months; Table 14-10-0459-01 Labour force characteristics by census metropolitan area, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0462-01 Labour force characteristics by economic region, three-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0355-01 Employment by industry, monthly, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, and trend-cycle, last 5 months (x 1,000); Table 14-10-0288-01 Employment by class of worker, monthly, seasonally adjusted and unadjusted, last 5 months (x 1,000); Table: 14-10-0459-01 Labour force characteristics, three month moving average, seasonally adjusted (x 1,000)