We compare Saskatchewan to the rest of the country when it comes to wages, employment and job growth. And after all the number crunching, Saskatchewan had a strong and successful 2014.

Average Weekly Earnings:

Saskatchewan residents had the third highest average earnings in the country in October 2014, compared to all other provinces. Alberta came in first at $1,172 per week on average (seasonally adjusted). Saskatchewan workers’ weekly earnings were $985, just behind Newfoundland and Labrador’s residents at $1,003 and beat out Ontario’s workers who were making $940 per week on average. (All figures include overtime.)

Earnings Growth:

When it comes to year-over-year growth in average weekly earnings, Saskatchewan came in second among all provinces and territories in October 2014. The average weekly earnings rose 4.5 per cent from last October to $985, with earnings growth mainly in information and cultural industries (11.7 per cent); transportation and warehousing (11.0 per cent); and mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction (7.9 per cent).

Unemployment:

It’s no surprise that Saskatchewan continued to have the lowest unemployment rate in the country in 2014 at an average of 3.7 per cent. The province can now boast having the lowest unemployment rate in Canada for 25 consecutive months. In December 2014, on a seasonally adjusted basis, it was at 3.6 per cent, with Alberta and Manitoba behind at 4.7 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively. The country’s average unemployment rate for December was 6.6 per cent.

Job Growth:

Saskatchewan also has the second strongest job growth rate in the country. In December 2014 compared to December 2013, there were 14,000 more people working in the province. This signifies a 2.5 per cent job growth, which is the second best in the country. During this period, there were 5,900 more jobs in wholesale and retail trade; 5,400 in forestry, mining, oil and gas; and, 4,200 in finance, insurance, real estate and leasing. In December 2014, Saskatchewan employed the most number of people in wholesale and retail trade; health care and social assistance; educational services; and, construction industries.

Angelina Irinici is an award-winning journalist from Saskatoon, Sask. She recently moved back to her home city and is working as a television reporter. She is a graduate of Ryerson University’s journalism school. You can find her on Twitter at @angelinairinici.