Conducted every two years, Alberta employers are surveyed about employee hourly and yearly earnings estimates as well as information on hiring difficulties, vacancy and turnover rates. Province-wide earnings estimates for 516, five digit National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes are developed. The survey results allow employers and individuals to gain insight into current hourly and yearly earnings levels by occupation, industry and region within Alberta. The most recent survey was completed in 2021.
The results of the AWSS are available to Albertans through a network of delivery sites which includes the Alberta Works Centres, and Seniors, Community and Social Services (SCSS) Alberta Supports Contact Centre and alis website: https://alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/wages-and-salaries-in-alberta/. The OCCinfo wages and salaries section on alis is dedicated for this survey. Additional earnings information is also posted on the Government of Alberta Open Data website: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/alberta-wage-and-salary-survey-survey-overview
Alberta employers, industry, students, and government are major client groups of the AWSS. Albertans seek hourly and yearly earnings information in employment negotiations; clients of Alberta Works Centres use AWSS to gain insight into current hourly and yearly earnings levels; young Albertans seek earnings information to help them make informed career and education choices; and employers make use of earnings information to attract and retain potential employees. In the public sector, earnings information assists governments in their policy decision-making.
In addition, Canadians from other provinces, as well as international clients, such as job seekers residing outside of Canada are also users of the AWSS.
The end users of the AWSS therefore encompass a diverse range and group of people: from students in high school to students in post-secondary schools, from young workers to mid- or late-career workers; from Alberta job seekers, to out-of-province and international job seekers; and from career counselors in schools to those in the public sector and career centres. This group also ranges in age, educational background, employment status and place of residence.
