Payroll earnings up 0.9 per cent in December, Statistics Canada says

Cash and payroll slips are shown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Plume

The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Statistics Canada says average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees were $933 in December, up 0.9 per cent from the previous month.

The agency says weekly earnings were up 2.9 per cent on a year-over-year basis.

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

Average weekly earnings in wholesale trade increased 7.4 per cent to $1,139 and earnings in construction increased 6.3 per cent to $1,239.

However, earnings in educational services declined 3.8 per cent to $951.

Year-over-year earnings of non-farm payroll employees increased in all provinces, with above average growth Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island.