Payroll employment, earnings and hours

The average weekly earnings of payroll employees increased by 0.4% in March, to stand 2.4% higher than March 2003. Logging and forestry, management of companies and enterprises, health care and social assistance, educational services, and other services (excluding public administration) continued to lead other industries in strongest growth in the past 12 months, while transport and warehousing registered the largest decline.

Following February's substantial gain, the average hours for hourly paid workers in March were unchanged. Hourly earnings for March averaged $17.53. This was also unchanged from the previous month, but is 2.9% higher than the same month a year earlier.

The overall number of payroll employees fell very slightly (-2,900) in March. Payroll employment counts showed little change in most provinces and major industries.

Note: Certain changes have been made to the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH). With the release of data for the January 2004 reference month, current and historical estimates are published on the basis of the 2002 version of North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS 2002). This change affects only estimates for industry groupings within the Construction (NAICS 23) and Information and Culture (NAICS 51) industries. In addition to the switch to NAICS 2002, there is a slight change to the definitions for the durable and non-durable goods groupings of manufacturing. As per the normal SEPH annual revision cycle, historical corrections to other series are available with this release. A concordance table between the NAICS 1997 and 2002 versions is available.To enquire about the concordance table, contact Client Services (1-866-873-8788; 613-951-4090; fax: 613-951-2869; labour@statcan.gc.ca), Labour Statistics Division.

Available on CANSIM: tables 281-0023 to 281-0046.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2612.

Detailed industry data, data by size of enterprise based on employment, and other labour market indicators are offered in the monthly publication Employment, Earnings and Hours (72-002-XIB, $26/$257), which will soon be available.

Data on payroll employment, earnings and hours for April 2004 will be released June 24.

For general information or to order data, contact Client Services (1-866-873-8788; 613-951-4090; fax: 613-951-2869; labour@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Robert Frindt (613-951-4069), Labour Statistics Division.