Compensation Planning Outlook 2017

Based on responses from the 383 organizations who participated in this year’s Compensation Planning Outlook survey, the average pay increase for non-unionized employees is projected to be 2.2 per cent for 2017: 2.3 per cent for the private sector and 2.0 per cent for the public sector. Projected increases are highest in the high technology industry at 2.8 per cent. The food, beverage, and tobacco products; and the finance, insurance, and real estate industries follow—each predicting a 2.7 per cent increase. The lowest average increases are expected in the oil and gas sector, with an average increase of 1.1 per cent. Regionally, Manitoba has the highest average projected increase at 2.7 per cent. The lowest average base pay increases are expected in Alberta at 1.4 per cent, followed by the Atlantic provinces at 1.9 per cent. Anticipated wage increases for unionized employees are projected to be 1.5 per cent in 2017, with no differentiation between the public and private sectors.