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- calendar_today November 13, 2026
The latest official data provides a detailed snapshot of employment levels and wage trends across Canada, illustrating provincial differences and recent changes in workforce statistics.
Nationally, employment for all employees in August 2026 stood at approximately 18,042,425, while the average weekly earnings including overtime were $1,354.55. The average hourly earnings for hourly employees reached $33.30, and for salaried employees, the figure was $48.96. These numbers suggest a modest but steady increase in wages over recent months.[Source: Statistics Canada – Employment, average hourly and weekly earnings]
Looking at year-over-year wage growth across provinces, notable increases can be seen: British Columbia observed a 5.2% rise in average weekly earnings, reaching $1,369.91. Manitoba’s average weekly earnings also registered an annual increase of 5.1%, moving to $1,244.01. Other provinces such as Ontario and Alberta experienced more moderate gains, with Ontario at $1,395.60 (up 3.9%) and Alberta at $1,404.59 (up 3.5%) over the previous 12 months. Some regions like New Brunswick posted even stronger wage growth, rising 6.0% year over year.[Source: Statistics Canada – Labour Statistics]
Provincial employment levels reveal varied dynamics. For example, Ontario’s employment was 8,278,000, down 0.1% from the previous month, whereas British Columbia saw a monthly uptick to 2,941,000 (+0.4%). Newfoundland and Labrador posted 250,000 employed individuals (+1.2% monthly), while smaller provinces such as Prince Edward Island experienced a decrease in employment of -1.3% month-to-month.[Source: Statistics Canada – Labour Statistics]
Unemployment rates also fluctuated by location, ranging from above 8% in Newfoundland and Labrador to around 5% in provinces like Manitoba and British Columbia, and higher rates in some of the Atlantic provinces and the Territories.
This data shows that while overall Canadian employment and wage growth remain steady, there are considerable differences depending on region. Wage increases are generally outpacing inflation in several provinces, although employment levels and growth vary monthly across jurisdictions.
