The human resources consulting firm says the average salary increase is projected to be 2.8 per cent nationally in 2010, an increase from 2.2 per cent in 2009, when many companies made major cuts to their salary budgets.

Some provinces will fare better than others, the firm suggested.

The survey found that businesses in Manitoba project an average increase of 3.2 per cent, while firms in Albertaare expecting a three per cent boost.

On the lower end were Ontario and British Columbia, both projecting a 1.7 per cent increase. Those provinces have been impacted by underperforming manufacturing and forestry sectors.