Alberta boasts highest average weekly earnings
May 31, 2012
CALGARY — Average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees in March rose by 3.3 per cent year-over-year in Alberta, pushing the level to the highest in the country, says Statistics Canada.
The federal agency reported Thursday that average weekly earnings in the province have increased to $1,056.87. Earnings were up 0.2 per cent on a monthly basis.
Across Canada, average weekly earnings rose 2.1 per cent year-over-year to $888.34 which was also a monthly increase of 0.8 per cent.
Average weekly earnings in professional, scientific and technical services increased 5.2 per cent to $1,249.39, with the highest growth in management, scientific and technical consulting; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll; and architectural, engineering and related services, said Statistics Canada.
In construction, weekly earnings increased 5.0 per cent to $1,151.79 in the 12 months to March. Growth was widespread across industries in this sector and particularly strong among employees in residential and non-residential building construction, it said.
From March 2011 to March 2012, the total number of non-farm payroll employees in Canada rose 1.5 per cent. Among all sectors, mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction posted the highest growth rate, at 4.1 per cent, followed by construction, at 3.8 per cent.
In Alberta, employee growth was 5.2 per cent year-over-year.
mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com