Graduates Entering the Workforce Can Expect Higher Weekly Earnings

Graduates entering the workforce this year may earn slightly more then last year.

If you graduate this year, you may earn slightly more than you would have last year at this time.

Statistics Canada recently reported that Canadians saw our average weekly earnings for (non-farm) payroll employees numbers rise 4.3% to $864, between September 2009 and September 2010.

This was the second month in a row Canada saw a year-over-year growth rate of over 4.0%.

The average weekly earnings numbers jumped in most provinces, with Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec seeing numbers above the national average.

Looking at the numbers from a sector-by-sector perspective, we saw above national average growth in:

• Wholesale trade
• Accommodation and food services
• Administrative and support services
• Educational services
• Professional, scientific and technical services

Stats Can also reported that the hours worked by hourly and salaried employees decreased by 0.3% in September. Despite these decreases, total hours were up 2.1% over the past 12 months.

Canadian salaried and hourly employees worked an average of 32.9 hours per week in September. This number was the same last month, but is up from 32.6 hours in September 2009.

You can read the full breakdown at Stats Can’s website.