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February 27, 2019EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, DECEMBER AND ANNUAL 2018 
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased by $2.54 per week (0.3 per cent) from November 2018 to $889.99 in December. Average weekly wages were up 3.3 per cent compared with December of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.1 per cent month to month ($1,011.72 in December 2018), and were 1.8 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 0.1 per cent, with increases in four provinces. Compared to December 2017, all provinces except Saskatchewan and Alberta saw increases in average weekly earnings. The largest increase in percentage terms was reported in Nova Scotia, at +3.3 per cent.
Annually, average weekly earnings are up 2.6 per cent nationally in 2018, with all provinces reporting increases. Nova Scotia's average weekly earnings are up 1.2 per cent compared to 2017.
Annual growth in average weekly earnings was faster in 2018 than in 2017 for all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan.
In 2018, average weekly earnings are up 1.6 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors compared to 2017. Goods sector wage growth was primarily due to growth in the construction sector while manufacturing wages showed slower growth compared to last year. Service sector earnings were up 1.1 per cent in 2018. 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, accommodation and food services, and education.
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 414,754 payroll employees in December, approximately level with the previous month, and up 1.3 per cent compared to last December. Canada had 16.8 million employees, down 0.1 per cent 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.
In 2018, payroll employment is up 2.2 per cent across Canada. The fastest payroll employment growth has been observed in British Columbia (+3.7 per cent) and Quebec (+2.4 per cent). Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 1.2 per cent compared to 2017.
Employment growth was faster in 2018 than in 2017 in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba, where it was slower, and Ontario where payroll employment has grown at the same pace for the last three years.
REFERENCE TABLES - (2018 vs. 2017)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01
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