Average Canadian weekly salary hits $888

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OTTAWA, May 31 (UPI) -- The average weekly salary for Canadian non-farm payroll employees rose 0.8 percent in March from a month earlier to $888.34, Statistics Canada reported.

On an annual basis, it represents a 2.1 percent increase, although that was dragged down partially because the average number of hours worked per week edged down to 32.9 this March from 33 hours in March 2011, the agency said.

Annual growth in average weekly earnings surpassed the national average in four of Canada's largest industrial sectors: professional, scientific and technical services; construction; public administration; and retail trade.

"Average weekly earnings in professional, scientific and technical services increased 5.2 percent to $1,249.39, with the highest growth in management, scientific and technical consulting; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll; and architectural, engineering and related services," StatsCan said.