Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Average hourly wage rate of employed person, value

Average hourly wage rate refers to the total of the usual wages or salaries of employees at their main job divided by the number of employees and prorated on an hourly basis. Respondents are asked to report their wage/salary before taxes and other deductions, and include tips, commissions and bonuses.

Employed person refers to those who, during the reference period, had a labour force status of 'employed'. That is, those who, during the reference period:

(a) Did any work at all at a job or business, that is, paid work in the context of an employer-employee relationship, or self-employment. This also includes persons who did unpaid family work, which is defined as unpaid work contributing directly to the operation of a farm, business or professional practice owned and operated by a related member of the same household; or

(b) Had a job but were not at work due to factors such as their own illness or disability, personal or family responsibilities, vacation or a labour dispute. This category excludes persons not at work because they were on layoff or between casual jobs, and those who did not then have a job (even if they had a job to start at a future date).

The data for this variable are reported using the following measurements:

• Canadian dollar at current prices