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National Graduates Survey shows class of 2010 did well

See how much graduates from your province were making in 2013

Convocation at York University (Andrew Tolson)

Convocation at York University (Andrew Tolson)

Statistics Canada has just released results from its National Graduates Survey, 2013, which show how well 2009-10 post-secondary graduates were making out in the labour market three years after graduating. It turns out they were doing very well.

Although graduates from some provinces were paid much better than others, there was only a five per cent unemployment rate among survey respondents no matter what type of credential they had earned: college, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate.

How can that be when we hear so frequently about high youth unemployment? It may be because Statistics Canada’s youth unemployment figures (13.6 per cent in March) capture those aged 15 to 24 years while the median age at graduation was 24 for bachelor and college graduates, 28 for master’s graduates and 34 for PhDs.

Here’s the big picture. Nationwide, 90 per cent of 2009-10 college graduates surveyed were working in 2013, as were 92 per cent of bachelor’s and master’s graduates and 93 per cent of doctoral degree holders. (Three to five per cent weren’t looking for work.)

There was a notable discrepancy between provinces in employment rates for college graduates. Those from Atlantic provinces did less well. In Newfoundland and Labrador, 82 per cent were working, in New Brunswick 81 per cent were employed and in Nova Scotia it was 86 per cent. Compare that to 90 per cent in Ontario, 91 per cent in British Columbia and 92 per cent in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Quebec.

Employment rates for university graduates were more uniform. Rates for those with bachelor’s degrees ranged from 90 per cent in British Columbia to 94 per cent in Prince Edward Island and Manitoba. Among master’s graduates, the range was from 90 per cent in New Brunswick and British Columbia to 95 per cent in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. For doctoral graduates, the spread was from 90 per cent in Manitoba to 100 per cent in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.

It’s worth noting that the statistics include part-time employment so there may be many “underemployed” people hidden in the data. For example, there may be plenty of graduates working below their skill levels or for fewer hours than they would prefer.

Now on to how much graduates were earning.

The median estimated earnings before taxes for college graduates surveyed was $40,600 overall, lowest for graduates of New Brunswick colleges ($34,800) and highest for graduates of Newfoundland and Saskatchewan colleges ($52,000).

For bachelor’s graduates, the median was $53,000 nationwide, higher for Newfoundland graduates ($67,000) and lower for British Columbia’s ($49,200).

Master’s graduates earned a median of $70,000 nationwide. The highest paid were from Alberta ($85,000) and Saskatchewan ($83,500); the lowest paid were from Quebec ($65,000).

Doctoral graduates earned a median income of $75,000 nationwide with less variation.

Here’s a chart that shows the median incomes for graduates in each province by type of schooling. Keep in mind that these are salaries earned three years after graduation.

Canada Nfld. P.E.I. N.S. N.B. Que. Ont. Man. Sask. Alta. B.C.
College $41,600 $52,000 N/A $37,000 $34,800 $40,000 $40,500 $41,000 $52,000 $50,000 $45,500
Bachelor’s $53,000 $67,000 $50,000 $52,000 $52,000 $50,000 $54,000 $57,000 $60,000 $63,000 $49,200
Master’s $70,000 $78,000 $78,000 $70,000 $68,500 $65,000 $70,000 $68,000 $83,500 $85,000 $74,000
Doctorate $75,000 $72,000 N/A $76,000 $81,000 $72,800 $80,000 $82,000 $70,000 $72,000 $83,200

Considering that the median salary of Canadians aged 25 to 55 was $52,000 in March, an obvious conclusion is that, at least for most people, post-secondary pays off.

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