B.C.’s weekly wages grew faster than the national average in June, both month over month and year over year, according to Statistics Canada.
B.C.’s average weekly wage for non-farm employees grew by 0.9% in June, relative to the previous month, to hit $949.69. Across Canada, wages grew 0.3%, on average,
B.C.’s year-over-year growth rate of 4.5% also beat the national average year-over-year growth rate of 3%.
However, speed of wage gains notwithstanding, B.C.’s average weekly wage continues to trail the national average, which hit $876.27 in June.
Leading the country for highest weekly wages are the Northwest Territories (at $1,267.19); Alberta ($1,041.45); Yukon ($965.69); Nunavut ($908.13); and Ontario ($899.45).
Provinces with the lowest weekly wages are Prince Edward Island ($773.15); Nova Scotia ($773.89); and New Brunswick ($790, 59).
Yesterday, management consulting firm Hay Group forecast that B.C.’s wages would increase at the second-slowest rate in the country in 2012. (See “B.C. lags country in salary growth: survey” – BIV Business Today, August 24).
Jenny Wagler
Twitter: JennyWagler_BIV