Highest salary bumps expected in Saskatchewan
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The average pay increase for non-unionized Canadian employees is projected to be 2.6 per cent in 2019, up slightly from the 2.4 per cent average increase received this year, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
The board's Compensation Planning Outlook 2019 report, which surveyed 368 organizations, was released Oct. 31.
"Over the past few years, we have seen wage increases among the lowest they have been in the past two decades. We are now seeing an improvement and compensation planners are looking to offer increases in 2019 that remain ahead of inflation," said Allison Cowan, director of total rewards, HR and labour relations research at the Conference Board of Canada in Ottawa.
Projected increases are highest in the food, beverage, and tobacco products industry (three per cent) and the oil and gas and technology industries (2.9 per cent).
The lowest average increases are expected in the health sector at 1.6 per cent, according to the report. Regionally, Saskatchewan has the highest projected base salary increase at 2.9 per cent. The lowest increases are expected in Manitoba at 2.3 per cent.
The report also indicates that voluntary turnover rates are on the rise and nearly two-thirds of employers report challenges recruiting and retaining employees with specific skills.
Professions in highest demand include IT specialists, management, engineering, skilled trades, and sales and marketing, according to the report.
