Projected salary increases of 3.15 per cent in 2015

Alberta 'leading the charge,' followed by Saskatchewan, B.C.: Survey

Canada’s projected average salary increase for 2015 is forecast at 3.16 per cent, according to a survey by the Wynford Group in Calgary. That compares to an actual increase of 3.21 per cent for 2014.

The survey’s outlook is rosier than others, said Gail Evans, president of the Wynford Group.

“We have a slightly different perspective to some of the other major comp companies because we sit in Alberta and Alberta of course has an oil and gas practice,” she said. “Our numbers are probably slightly higher because our perspective is from this centre of the earth.”

The east and west coasts are leading the way, with the Atlantic seeing increased activity in shipbuilding contracts and British Columbia’s Kitimat region expecting a boost in shipping terminals, said Evans.

“The two coasts are the hot spots, other than Alberta. Saskatchewan is moving along and there’s still lots of action there but I think it’s leveling out. They were doing such a big catchup for so long, their rates are actually getting closer.”

Alberta is expected to see gains of 3.29 per cent and British Columbia is predicting 3.18 per cent, while Saskatchewan is at 3.23 per cent, found the survey of more than 230 employers from May to July. The Atlantic is predicting 3.2 per cent while further behind are Manitoba at 3.17 per cent, Ontario at 3.14 per cent and 2.94 per cent in Quebec.

“Alberta is leading the charge… although there is some trepidation in some areas about the tar sands because of the gluts with the pipelines, so oil is now going out on trains,” she said. “There is the recognition that Alberta’s oil industry or energy industry is now the economic driver in Canada… Whenever there is activity here, there certainly is also spreading up the walls in other parts of the country, so that’s a good thing.”

Location

2015 average (%)

2014 average (%)

National

3.16

3.21

British Columbia

3.18

3.23

Alberta

3.29

3.52

Saskatchewan

3.23

3.45

Manitoba

3.17

3.20

Ontario

3.14

3.16

Quebec

2.94

2.96

Atlantic

3.20

3.15

Industry predictions

Broken down by industry, energy is leading the way, with predictions of 3.78 per cent, followed by construction, at 3.43 per cent, engineering/project and construction management, at 3.4 per cent, and engineering at 3.3 per cent.

“There’s still some really, really heavy competition in anything to do with the oil industry, and the biggest employers are not the oil companies, it’s those service sector guys and construction guys,” said Evans.

Advanced technology, at 3.27 per cent, and IT services, at 3.25 per cent come next.

“There certainly has been some solid and sustained increases in the IT sector,” she said.

The industries seeing the lowest predictions are not-for-profit, at 2.98 per cent, retail, at 2.73 per cent, and the public sector, at one per cent.

Industry

2015 average (%)

2014 average (%)

Advanced technology

3.27

3.20

Energy

3.78

3.91

Energy services

3.23

3.31

Engineering

3.33

3.40

Engineering/project & construction management

3.40

3.60

Financial services

3.11

3.22

Public sector

1.00

2.00

IT services

3.25

3.32

Logistics/transport/distribution

3.18

3.27

Manufacturing

3.02

3.00

Not for profit

2.98

2.99

Professional services

3.10

3.50

Retail

2.73

2.84

Construction

3.43

3.55

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