Mining jobs continue to pay better than jobs in other industries. BC-wide, hourly earnings for those employed in mining and quarrying (except oil and gas) has been on a decisive trend upwards.
Resource Works study: Elk Valley mines a $1-billion contributor to the provincial economy
From 2011 to 2015, the average hourly earnings (including overtime, for salaried employees) rose from $41.21 to $54.29. For those employed in support activities for mining, including oil and gas extraction, the average hourly earnings were just shy of $50. In comparison, from 2011 to 2015, average hourly earnings for those in all industries in BC had only shifted from $31.04 to $33.43.[i]
Here are some personal stories about what mining, in this example coal mining, means in some British Columbia communities:
Further background
Over ten years, between 2005 and 2015, total employees in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industry increased from 13,281 to 19,718. In 2015, over half of these employees were in the mining and quarrying industry (10,825), and about 30% were employed in support activities for both mining and oil and gas.[ii]
[i] Source: Statistics Canada. Table 281-0036 – Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH), average hourly earnings including overtime for salaried employees, by detailed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), annual (current dollars), CANSIM (database).
[ii] Source: Statistics Canada. Table 281-0024 – Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH), employment by type of employee and detailed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), annual (persons), CANSIM (database).
