Frequently asked questions ABOUT labour market DATA
What do percentile wages mean?
What is a census division, census metropolitan area, census agglomeration, census subdivision?
How do you calculate the number of people in the labour force?
How do you calculate the participation rate?
How do you calculate the unemployment rate?
How do you calculate the employment rate?
What is a NOC code?
A NOC, or National Occupation Classification, code is a number that is assigned to each occupation (or group of similar occupations) in Canada. For individual occupations, the NOC code will be 4-digits but codes are also available at 1,2, and 3-digit levels. The first number represents the skill type or area of work. For example, health occupations start with the number 3. The second number represents the skill level, with 1-3 representing occupations requiring post-secondary education and 4-7 representing those that require a high school diploma or on-the job training.
These skill levels are categorized as:
- Skill Level A requires a university education
- Skill Level B requires a college education or apprenticeship training
- Skill Level C requires a secondary school diploma or job-specific training
- Skill Level D requires on-the-job training
Ex. Registered Nurses are under NOC 3012- Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses.
Ex. Mold Makers are under NOC 7232- Tool and die makers.
Click here to search for a NOC code.
What is a NAIC code?
A NAIC, or North American Industry Classification, code is a number that is assigned to each sector/industry and is recognized across North America. NAIC codes are different from NOCs in that they represent the sector that an occupation would fall under. NAIC codes are often 6-digits with each number representing the sector, sub-sector and industry specific identifiers. NAIC codes are also available in 1-5 digit codes.
Ex. Registered Nurses can work in NAIC code 62- Healthcare and Social Assistance as well as NAIC code 622112- Pediatric Hospitals.
Click here to search for a NAIC code.
What is a median wage?
Median wage is the wage most commonly provided for an occupation. Median wage is often used instead of ‘average wage’ as wage information can become skewed if there is a large wage gap present. Using ‘median wage’ as a measure of what wages are offered most consistently removes the chance for skewed data.
Ex. Registered nurses have a median wage of $34.30 and an average wage of $34.47
What do percentile wages mean?
Percentile wages refer to what wages are given on the higher and lower end of a scale. For example, registered nurses have a 10th percentile hourly wage of $21.58 and a 90th percentile hourly wage of $44.10. The difference between the wages is often associated with the employee’s level of skill, education, and experience. Someone new to the job will likely make the wage associated with the 10th or 25th percentile while someone who has worked in their role for many years will make closer to the 75th or 90th percentile wages.
See a full list of 2016 local wages here.
What is a census division, census metropolitan area, census agglomerate, census subdivision?
Census division is a level of geography that statistical data is available for.
Essex census division includes the full area of Essex County and Windsor, including Windsor, Tecunseh, Lakeshore, LaSalle, Essex, Pelee, Amherstburg, Kingsville, and Leamington.
Windsor census metropolitan area (CMA) includes the municipalities of Windsor, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, LaSalle, and Amherstburg.
Leamington census agglomeration (CA) includes the municipalities of Leamington and Kingsville.
Census subdivision (CSD) is the municipal geographical level of information.
How do you calculate the number of people in the labour force?
The labour force includes those over the age of 15 that are working or are currently looking for work.
How do you calculate the participation rate?
The participation rate is the number of people in the labour force divided by the number of people in the population over the age of 15.
# of people in the labour force/population over 15 yrs old= Participation Rate
How do you calculate the unemployment rate?
The unemployment rate is the number of people looking for work divided by the number of people in the labour force.
# of people looking for work/ # of people in labour force= Unemployment Rate
How do you calculate the employment rate?
The unemployment rate is the number of people working divided by the number of people in the population over the age of 15.
# of people working/ population over 15 yrs old= Employment Rate
