Education and Earnings

The average earnings for persons aged 15 years and over with earnings from employment in Peel according to the 2001 Census was $36,635. In general, average earnings were higher in Peel in 2001 than they were in 1991 after adjusting for inflation. This average includes full and part-time employment income. Full-time employment includes persons who worked 49 - 52 weeks or worked mostly full-time in 2000, while part-time employment includes persons who worked less than 49 weeks or worked mostly part-time in 2000.

Peel's average income was higher than Ontario’s average income (at $35,185). However, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Peel had the lowest average earnings while Halton had the highest (at $45,835).

Peel residents who worked full-time earned an average of $47,597. Males who worked full-time earned an average of $54,356 while females who worked full-time earned an average of $38,301 (which is approximately 70.5 per cent of male full-time earnings). Over the last decade the disparity between male and female full-time income levels has decreased. According to the 1991 Census, female full-time incomes were only 66.1 per cent of male full-time incomes.

The major post-secondary fields of study for males in Peel have remained fairly consistent over the last decade. The top three in both 1991 and 2001 were:

Engineering and applied sciences technologies/trades
Commerce, management and business administration
Engineering and applied sciences

The major post-secondary fields of study for females have remained relatively constant since 1991 as well. In 1991, the top three fields were:

Commerce, management and business administration
Health professions, sciences and technologies
Educational, recreational and counselling services

In 2001, the top three fields were:

Commerce, management and business administration
Educational, recreational and counselling services
Health professions, sciences and technologies

In 2001, 20.7 per cent of Peel's population aged 20 years and older held a university degree. Only Durham reported a smaller percentage (with 13.6 per cent) while Toronto led the GTA (with 27.2 per cent).