Canadians throughout the country can expect moderate wage increases in 2014 despite sluggish economic growth. According to The Conference Board of Canada, the average salary gains for non-unionized employees across the nation are projected to be 2.9 per cent.
The Conference Board surveyed 411 organizations across Canada as part of its 32nd annual Compensation Planning Outlook.
Workers in Alberta and Saskatchewan lead the way with estimated increases of 3.7 per cent, largely as a solution to recruitment and retention challenges in the energy sector.
Ontario employees can see their pays jump by about 2.6 per cent, while the Atlantic provinces follow closely behind with projected increases of 2.5 per cent.
“The divide between East and West persists,” said Ian Cullwick, Vice-President, Leadership and Human Resources Research.
"Frenzied resource development and near bottom unemployment rates means that Alberta and Saskatchewan are again expecting to offer the highest pay increases next year," he added in the report.
By industry, surveyed companies in the oil and gas sectors predict the most gains, with as much as 4.1 per cent increases in salaries. Meanwhile, the health-care sector forecasts a more modest 1.8 per cent bump in pays.
Private sector employees can expect their salaries to grow by up to three per cent, while workers in the public sector can predict their pays to jump an average of 2.7 per cent.
The Conference Board of Canada finds these projected wage increases to be moderate, considering the inflation rate should stand at 1.9 per cent over the next year.