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March 27, 2019EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, JANUARY 2019 
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased by $2.79 per week (0.3 per cent) from December 2018 to $892.23 in January 2019. Average weekly wages were up 4.5 per cent compared with January of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.3 per cent month to month ($1,011.62 in January), and were 2.0 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 increased 0.3 per cent, with increases in seven provinces. Compared to a year ago, all provinces saw increases in average weekly earnings. The largest increase in percentage terms was reported in Nova Scotia, at +4.5 per cent.
In January 2019 (compared to January 2018), average weekly earnings are up 1.0 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors. Goods sector wage growth was primarily due to growth in the manufacturing sector while construction wages declined compared to last year. Service sector earnings were up 5.3 per cent in January 2019. Service sector earnings increased the most in percentage terms in the Administrative and Support Services category. There have been declines in average weekly earnings in Arts, Entertainment and Recreation, real estate, transportation and accommodation and food servcies.
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 418,036 payroll employees in January, up 0.5 per cent compared to last month, and and up 2.1 per cent compared to last January. Canada had 16.8 million employees, up 0.4 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.
Compared to January of 2018, payroll employment is up 2.4 per cent across Canada. The fastest payroll employment growth has been observed in Prince Edward Island (+3.8 per cent) and New Brunswick and BC (both +3.1 per cent).
REFERENCE TABLES - (January 2019 vs January 2018)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01
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