Average weekly earnings up 4.3 per cent: Statistics Canada

Growth above average in N.L., Ontario, Alberta and Quebec

September's average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees rose 4.3 per cent to $864.13 from a year ago, according to Statistics Canada. This was the second consecutive month with year-over-year growth over 4 per cent.

Statistics Canada attributes some of the weekly earnings growth to a 0.9 per cent increase in the number of hours worked per week. The agency alo found the remainder of the increase reflects a number of other factors, including changes in the composition of employment by industry, changes in occupations within industry, job experience, as well as wage growth.

The pace of growth in earnings has been increasing in recent months. September marked the sixth consecutive month in which the year-over-year increase surpassed 3 per cent. In contrast, year-over-year growth was below 2.0 per cent for most of 2009.

Average weekly earnings increased in most provinces. Growth was above the national average in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. Year-over-year growth was slowest in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, while earnings declined slightly in New Brunswick.

Latest stories