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