The changing average weekly wage landscape in Canada (2002-2011)

In order to assess the relative change in wage rates across Canada I set the national average wage rate (for all industries and specific industries below) equal to 100 and then assessed where the province’s stood relative to the index.  For example, in October 2002, NL had an index of 91 (or was 9 percent below the national average) and by October 2011 the province was at 101.9 – or above the national average.  The charts below show the breakdown for a number of different industries.  A few highlights:

-New Brunswick’s wage environment has been remarkably stable – the wage spread between NB and Canada in 2011 across multiple sectors was similar to 2002.

-The only provinces to lose ground in a significant way were Ontario, Quebec and surprisingly BC.  NS dropped slightly  as well.

-Public sectors in Ontario – public administration, education and health care have widening their wage spread with the rest of Canada (but not by a wide margin) since 2002.

-Manufacturing wages in Ontario – relative to the national average – have been declining steadily since 2004.


1 thought on “The changing average weekly wage landscape in Canada (2002-2011)

  1. Discussing salaries in NB is always interesting. We have a very funny attitude when it comes to salaries. I read many of your posts where you embrace higher salaries as an important economic indicator. Despite the belief of “a few” people in New Brunswick, the attitude remains the same. If you make a good salary, then you must be doing something wrong. Unfortunately we see this again and again.

    I believe a part of speaking/educating people on economics is also doing more to educate that people making good salaries reinvest in their province. For some there is a disconnect with this rationale.

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