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May 31, 2018EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, MARCH 2018 
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased by $6.31 per week (0.7 per cent) from February 2018 to $872.35 in March. Average weekly wages increased 0.7 per cent over March of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages were flat month to month ($997.34 in March 2018), and were 3.1 per cent higher than they were a year ago.
Changes in average weekly earnings reflect wage growth, changes in the composition of employment by industry/occupation/experience; and average hours worked per week.
Across the country, monthly average weekly wages were flat (0.0%), with increases in four provinces. Comparing the latest results with March 2017, all provinces saw increases in average weekly earnings except Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.2 per cent) and Saskatchewan (-0.1%). The largest increase in percentage terms was in Quebec (+4.0 per cent).
Year to date, average weekly earnings are up 3.1 per cent nationally, with all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan reporting increases. Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings are up 1.0 per cent (YTD) compared to the first three months of 2017.
In the first three months of the year, average weekly earnings are up 3.3 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to January-March 2017. Growth in goods sector wages were led by the construction sector while manufacturing wages were up by a slim margin. Service sector earnings were up 0.6 per cent, year to date. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in personal/repair (other services), followed by arts, entertainment and recreation, and real estate and rental and leasing. There have been declines in average weekly earnings in informational and cultural services, trade, and administration and support services.
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 409,387 payroll employees in March, down 0.4 per cent from February, and up 1.4 per cent compared to last March. Canada had 16.5 million employees, up 0.2 per cent over last month and up 2.3 per cent compared to a year ago.
Nova Scotia's payroll employment has been generally trending upwards since 2014.
Year to date, payroll employment is up 2.3 per cent across Canada. The fastest payroll employment growth has been observed in BC and Quebec. Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 1.4 per cent (YTD) comapred to the first three months of 2017.
REFERENCE TABLES - Year to Date (January-March 2018 vs. January-March 2017)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. CANSIM Table 281-0063, 281-0049
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