The average wage in B.C. rose for a fifth consecutive month in May, according to Statistics Canada.
The average weekly wage rose 0.7% to $821.66 in May from $816.21 a week in April. Wages have continued to rise since January, when the average wage was $807.10. Year over year, wages in B.C. have risen 3% from an average $798.10 in May 2009.
Other provinces reporting the greatest wage increases between April and May included Nova Scotia (1%), Prince Edward Island (0.8%), and Quebec (0.8%).
Provinces reporting wage declines included Newfoundland (-0.8%), Alberta (-0.8%), and New Brunswick (-0.6%).
Nationally, wages rose 0.4% in May with the largest increases in the accommodation and food services (+3.3%), information and cultural industries (+2.4%), manufacturing (+2.4%), health care and social assistance (+1.5%), and professional, scientific and technical services (+0.9%).
Sectors with declining weekly wages in May included managers of companies (-4.4%), forestry (-3.3%), mining (-1.9%), arts, entertainment and recreation (-1.5%) and retail (-1.2%).