Work in Canada
Canada Sees 4.43% Yearly Rise in Average Weekly Earnings Amid Shifting Job Market Trends
Canada’s latest employment data brings a mix of progress and pause. As of April 2025, average weekly earnings in Canada rose by 4.43% year-over-year, building on a 4.06% increase recorded in March. This translates to an average of $1,297 per week, marking a 0.8% gain month-over-month.
This growth reflects more than just pay hikes—it also factors in changes to employment composition, hours worked, and broader market dynamics. At the same time, job vacancies fell by 3.2% from March, while some major sectors saw notable declines in payroll employment.
Let’s explore what this means for workers, employers, and newcomers to Canada.
Average Weekly Earnings in Canada: April Snapshot
| Indicator | April 2025 | Change |
| Average Weekly Earnings | $1,297 | +0.8% (MoM) |
| Annual Growth Rate | 4.43% | ↑ from 4.06% |
| Average Weekly Hours Worked | 33.5 | No change |
| Job Vacancies | 501,300 | -16,800 (-3.2%) |
The steady 33.5 hours per week indicates consistency in working time, even as earnings continue to rise gradually.
Sectors Showing Payroll Declines
While overall wages rose, payroll employment fell in 9 of the 20 major sectors tracked by Statistics Canada.
Here’s a quick overview of the hardest-hit industries in April:
- Manufacturing: -7,300 jobs (-0.5%)
- Accommodation & Food Services: -5,800 jobs (-0.4%)
- Retail Trade: -5,000 jobs (-0.3%)
- Administrative & Support Services: -4,700 jobs (-0.6%)
These declines reflect broader market pressures, such as seasonal slowdowns, inflation, and hiring freezes in service-heavy industries.
In manufacturing alone, 13,500 jobs have been lost since January 2025.
Subsector highlights in retail trade include:
- Building & garden supply dealers: -1,800 (-1.3%)
- Clothing and accessories: -1,000 (-0.5%)
- General merchandise: -1,000 (-0.4%)
Sectors Seeing Payroll Growth
Not all sectors slowed down. Some, in fact, posted strong gains:
- Health Care & Social Assistance: +10,800 jobs (+0.4%)
- Public Administration: +6,200 jobs (+0.5%)
- Educational Services: +5,200 jobs (+0.4%)
In public administration, most growth came from local and regional government jobs, which added 2,800 positions—a sign of renewed provincial hiring. The rise in health care jobs also helped balance out the March decline in that sector.
What the Decline in Job Vacancies Tells Us
Canada’s job vacancies dropped to 501,300 in April, a loss of 16,800 positions from March. That’s a 15.4% drop year-over-year. This comes after nearly nine months of stability in job openings, possibly signaling employers are now being more selective or cautious with new hiring.
For newcomers and work permit holders, this may translate into fiercer competition in sectors like retail, accommodation, and administrative support—but more stability in public and healthcare jobs.
What This Means for Newcomers to Canada
Whether you’re a student, skilled worker, or PR hopeful, knowing where Canada’s average weekly earnings and employment trends are heading can help you plan smarter.
The key takeaways:
- Wages are still on the rise, despite sectoral job losses
- Healthcare, education, and public services are growing
- Temporary dips in retail and manufacturing may be cyclical
- Steady hours worked suggest stable working conditions
With the right skill set—especially in priority sectors—newcomers can still find plenty of room to grow in Canada’s evolving job market.
Steady Pay Growth Shows Canada’s Economic Strength
While job vacancies dipped and some industries reported losses, the 4.43% rise in average weekly earnings in Canada offers a positive signal. This wage increase, paired with stable hours, suggests that the country’s labour market remains strong and adaptive—an encouraging sign for both citizens and immigrants aiming to build careers in Canada.
For immigration hopefuls and newcomers already in the system, knowing how these trends play out can help you stay ahead with Canada Immigration News in your journey toward permanent residency or long-term success in Canada.
