Here's the size of average Canadian's pay cheques

Pay cheques across Canada were little changed in February from the previous month but gained 3.4% compared with 12 months earlier.

Statistics Canada says that the average weekly non-farm payroll employee was paid $997 and worked roughly the same number of hours (32.7) as in January (32.5).

Year-over-year Quebec led wage gains (4.4%) to $926 while Albertans saw their wages rise 4.3% to $1,158. There was a 3.8% rise for New Brunswick ($905), 3.6% for PEI ($845), 3.3% in Ontario ($1,106), 3.0% in BC ($958), 2.4% in Manitoba ($929), 1.7% in Nova Scotia ($861), and 1.6% in Saskatchewan ($1,014).

The best sectors for wage gains
While workers tend to be lower paid in food and accommodation roles, the sector saw the largest percentage gain in average weekly earnings, up 8.6% year-over-year to $399.

Retail workers saw a 7.5% rise to $596, those in wholesale trade gained 4.4% to $1,239, and public administration workers added 3.6% to their pay cheques to $1,290.

Professional, scientific, and technical services workers were paid an average $1,373 per week, up 3.0% year-over-year; and the education sector saw a 2.9% rise to $1,049 as primary and secondary school wages increased.

Admin and support workers were paid an extra 2.4% in February 2018 compared to 12 months earlier at $793, while construction workers gained 1.7% to an average weekly wage of $1,233.

More Mortgage Guide