The average weekly earnings of non-farm employees in Saskatchewan rose by 3.6 percent in December 2013, according to data released by Statistics Canada. This increase meant that average weekly earnings for non-farm employees currently stood at $966, compared to December 2012.

According to Statistics Canada, the increases covered the largest sectors in the country, including construction, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade.

The report placed Saskatchewan’s average weekly wage of $966 as the third highest in the country, behind Alberta at $1,146 and Newfoundland and Labrador – both jointly at $969.

United Steelworkers economist Erin Weir had mentioned earlier that between November and December 2013, average weekly earnings increased by $9 (or 0.9 percent), which was exactly in line with the national average.

However, according to the report, the year-over-year national average increased by $26 per week, in comparison to the year-over-year increase of $34 per week in Saskatchewan.

At a nationwide level, the average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees stood at $933 in December 2013 – an increase of 0.9 percent from November 2013. According to Statistics Canada, weekly earnings rose by 2.9 percent on a year-over-year basis.

The increase in the average weekly earnings on an annual basis surpassed the national average in four of the 10 largest industrial sectors, led by wholesale trade and construction.

Therefore, average weekly earnings in wholesale trade increased by 7.4 percent to $1,139, while average weekly earnings in construction rose by 6.3 percent to $1,239. At the same time however, earnings in educational services dropped by 3.8 percent to $951.

The report also mentioned that the year-over-year earnings of non-farm payroll employees increased in all provinces. Thus, provinces like Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island all registered an increase in year-over-year earnings of non-farm payroll employees.

Source: The Regina Leader-Post