Government of Nova Scotia, Canada

Home > Economics and Statistics > Archived Daily Stats
The Economics and Statistics Division maintains archives of previous publications for accountability purposes, but makes no updates to keep these documents current with the latest data revisions from Statistics Canada. As a result, information in older documents may not be accurate. Please exercise caution when referring to older documents. For the latest information and historical data, please contact the individual listed to the right.

<--- Return to Archive

For additional information relating to this article, please contact:

Thomas StorringDirector – Economics and Statistics
Tel: 902-424-2410Email: thomas.storring@novascotia.ca

September 27, 2018
EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, JULY 2018

Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased by $4.96 per week (0.6 per cent) from June 2018 to $869.24 in July.  Average weekly wages were up 1.1 per cent compared with July of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages decreased 0.4 per cent month to month ($996.66 in July 2018), and were 3.0 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 decreased 0.4 per cent, with decreases in all provinces except Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia. Compared to July 2017, all provinces saw increases in average weekly earnings. The largest increase in percentage terms was reported in New Brunswick (+4.4 per cent).

Year to date, average weekly earnings are up 2.9 per cent nationally, with all provinces reporting increases. Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings are up 0.8 per cent (YTD) compared to the first seven months of 2017. 

In the first seven months of the year, average weekly earnings are up 2.2 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to January-July 2017.  Goods sector wage growth was primarily due to growth in the construction sector while manufacturing wages were up less, compared to the first seven months of last year.  Service sector earnings were up 0.5 per cent, year to date. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in the other services category. There have been declines in average weekly earnings in information and cultural services, administrative and support services, and accommodation and food services. 

EMPLOYMENT

Nova Scotia had 414,098 payroll employees in July, up 0.3 per cent compared the previous month, and up 1.1 per cent compared to last July. Canada had 16.6 million employees, unchanged from last month and up 2.0 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 (+3.9 per cent) and Quebec (+2.5 per cent). Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 1.3 per cent (YTD) compared to the first seven months of 2017.

 REFERENCE TABLES - Year to Date (January-July 2018 vs. January-July 2017)

Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01



<--- Return to Archive