Organizations across British Columbia are expecting to increase salaries by an average of 2.5% in 2017, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released September 19.
This increase is higher than the average raise given in 2016, in which it is estimated salaries increased 2.2%.
Across Canada, employers say they plan to increase wages by 2.2% next year, up from growth of 2.1% in 2016. The highest increase is expected to be in Manitoba (up 2.7%), followed by B.C. and Quebec, tied at 2.5%. Alberta, hit by a massive turndown in energy prices over the past couple years and dealing with the aftermath of wildfires in the Fort McMurray area in May, is expected to have the lowest increase at 1.4%.
The industries with the highest anticipated salary growth, nationwide, are the high-tech sector (2.8%), food, beverage and tobacco (2.4%) and finance, insurance and real estate (2.7%).
Oil and gas (1.1%), utilities (1.4%) and health (1.6%) are forecast to have the smallest salary increases.
@EmmaHampelBIV
