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May 30, 2019EMPLOYMENT, EARNINGS AND HOURS, MARCH 2019 
Nova Scotians' average weekly earnings (including overtime, seasonally adjusted) increased by $5.76 per week (0.6 per cent) from February 2019 to $892.36 in March 2019. Average weekly wages were up 2.9 per cent compared with March of last year. Canadians' average weekly wages increased 0.8 per cent month to month ($1,016.41 in March) and were 1.9 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 rose 0.8 per cent, with increases in every province. Compared to a year ago, average wages are higher in all provinces, with the largest increase in percentage terms reported in Newfoundland and Labrador (3.2 per cent).
Comparing the first three months of 2019 with same period in 2018, average weekly earnings have increased 3.4 per cent in Nova Scotia, the fastest growth among the provinces. Nationally, average weekly earnings have increased 1.7 per cent year-to-date with Alberta reporting relatively unchanged wages from January-March 2018.
In Jan-Mar 2019 (compared to Jan-Mar 2018), average weekly earnings are up 2.6 per cent in Nova Scotia's goods producing sectors. Goods sector wages were up for manufacturing and construction sectors; data for the other goods sectors is suppressed. Service sector earnings were up 3.7 per cent for the first quarter of 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, accommodation and food services, and other services (except public administration).
EMPLOYMENT
Nova Scotia had 419,959 payroll employees in March, up 0.4 per cent compared to last month, and up 2.5 per cent compared to last March. Canada had 16.9 million employees, up 0.2 per cent from last month and up 2.1 per cent compared to a year ago.
Nova Scotia's payroll employment has been trending upwards since 2017.
Year-to-date, Nova Scotia's payroll employment is up 2.1 per cent. Compared to the first quarter of 2018, payroll employment is up 2.3 per cent across Canada. The fastest payroll employment growth has been observed in Prince Edward Island (4.2 per cent) followed by British Columbia (2.9 per cent).
REFERENCE TABLES - (January-March 2019 vs January-March 2018)
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Employment, Payroll, and Hours. Table 14-10-0223-01, 14-10-0222-01
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