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July 26, 2018EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, MAY 2018 
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased by $13.82 per week (1.6 per cent) from April 2018 to $869.15 in May. Average weekly wages were up 2.7 per cent compared with May of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages rose 0.4 per cent month to month ($998.37 in May 2018), and were 2.9 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 increased 0.4 per cent, with increases in all provinces except Alberta (-0.2%). Comparing the latest results with May 2017, all provinces saw increases in average weekly earnings. The largest increase in percentage terms was reported in Quebec (+3.5 per cent).
Year to date, average weekly earnings are up 2.9 per cent nationally, with all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.1%) reporting increases. Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings are up 0.9 per cent (YTD) compared to the first five months of 2017.
In the first five months of the year, average weekly earnings are up 2.0 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to January-May 2017. Goods sector wage growth was primarily due to growth in the construction sector while manufacturing wages were down slightly compared to the first five months of last year. Service sector earnings were up 0.7 per cent, year to date. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in Other Services, followed by real estate and rental and leasing. There have been declines in average weekly earnings in information and cultural services, and transportation and warehousing.
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 410,870 payroll employees in May, up 0.1 per cent compared the previous month, and up 1.0 per cent compared to last May. Canada had 16.6 million employees, up 0.2 per cent from last month and up 2.4 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 British Columbia (+4.0 per cent) and Quebec (+2.5 per cent). Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 1.4 per cent (YTD) compared to the first five months of 2017.
REFERENCE TABLES - Year to Date (January-May 2018 vs. January-May 2017)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01
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