Minimum wage in Canada varies significantly by province — from $15.00/hour in Alberta to $19.00/hour in Nunavut. Understanding these rates helps with job searching, budgeting, and evaluating whether a move to a new province makes financial sense.
For context, the average Canadian income is approximately $60,400/year ($29/hour), well above minimum wage. But for young workers, students, and those in entry-level positions, minimum wage determines baseline earning power.
Minimum wage in each province or territory
Each province sets its own minimum wage. Here are the 2026 rates across Canada:
Quick answer: Minimum wage ranges from $15.00/hour (Alberta, Saskatchewan) to $19.00/hour (Nunavut). The federal minimum wage is $17.75/hour for federally-regulated sectors.
| Province/Territory | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Annual (40 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00 | Oct 2018 | $31,200 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | Jun 2025 | $37,128 |
| Manitoba | $15.80 | Oct 2024 | $32,864 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | Apr 2025 | $32,552 |
| Newfoundland | $15.85 | Oct 2025 | $32,968 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.65 | Apr 2025 | $32,552 |
| Ontario | $17.60 | Oct 2025 | $36,608 |
| PEI | $16.00 | Oct 2024 | $33,280 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | May 2025 | $33,488 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.00 | Oct 2024 | $31,200 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.70 | Sep 2024 | $34,736 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 | Jan 2024 | $39,520 |
| Yukon | $17.59 | Apr 2024 | $36,587 |
| Federal (regulated) | $17.75 | — | $36,920 |
The federal minimum wage applies to federally-regulated sectors such as banks, telecommunications, airlines, and interprovincial transportation.
What is the minimum wage in Ontario?
The minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60/hour as of October 2025 — the highest among Canada’s major provinces.
Ontario’s minimum wage categories:
| Worker Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General workers | $17.60/hour | Standard rate |
| Students under 18 | $16.60/hour | Working 28 hrs/week or less |
| Homeworkers | $19.36/hour | Work from home employees |
| Liquor servers | $17.60/hour | Same as general (changed 2022) |
At $17.60/hour, a full-time Ontario worker earns $36,608/year before taxes. After taxes, take-home is approximately $31,500 — see our Ontario salary after taxes calculator for exact figures.
What is the minimum wage in Alberta?
The minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00/hour — unchanged since October 2018. This makes Alberta the lowest minimum wage province along with Saskatchewan.
| Worker Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| General workers | $15.00/hour |
| Students under 18 | $13.00/hour |
Despite the lower minimum wage, Alberta has no provincial sales tax and relatively low income taxes, which can offset the difference somewhat. At $15/hour, annual earnings are $31,200 before taxes.
What is the minimum wage in British Columbia?
The minimum wage in British Columbia is $17.85/hour as of June 2025, the highest among major provinces (excluding territories).
| Worker Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| General workers | $17.85/hour |
| Liquor servers | $17.85/hour |
| Gig workers | $20.88/hour |
Gig worker protection: BC introduced special rates for gig economy workers (Uber, Skip The Dishes, etc.) at $20.88/hour to account for expenses and lack of benefits.
What is the minimum wage in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan’s minimum wage is $15.00/hour (effective October 2024) — tied with Alberta for the lowest in Canada.
What is the minimum wage in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s minimum wage is $15.80/hour (effective October 2024). At this rate, full-time work yields $32,864/year — see our Manitoba income guide for context on how this compares to average earnings.
What is the minimum wage in Quebec?
Quebec’s minimum wage is $16.10/hour as of May 2025.
| Worker Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| General workers | $16.10/hour |
| Employees receiving tips | $12.85/hour |
Quebec offers a lower rate for tipped employees (servers, bartenders), expecting tips to make up the difference.
What is the minimum wage in New Brunswick?
New Brunswick’s minimum wage is $15.65/hour (effective April 2025).
What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia?
Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is $15.65/hour (effective April 2025).
What is the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island?
PEI’s minimum wage is $16.00/hour (effective October 2024).
What is the minimum wage in Newfoundland?
Newfoundland’s minimum wage is $15.85/hour (effective April 2024).
What is the minimum wage in Yukon?
Yukon’s minimum wage is $17.59/hour (effective April 2024), tied to the Consumer Price Index for annual inflation adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Nunavut?
Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada at $19.00/hour (effective January 2024). This reflects the extremely high cost of living in Canada’s northernmost territory, where food and housing costs can be 2-3 times southern prices.
What is the minimum wage in Northwest Territories?
The Northwest Territories minimum wage is $16.70/hour (effective September 2024).
Can you live on minimum wage in Canada?
The short answer: it’s difficult in most cities, especially Toronto and Vancouver.
| Province | Min Wage | Annual (40 hrs) | After Tax | Avg 1BR Rent | Rent as % of Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $36,608 | $31,500 | $2,100/mo | 80% |
| BC | $17.85 | $37,128 | $31,900 | $2,300/mo | 86% |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $31,200 | $27,500 | $1,400/mo | 61% |
| Manitoba | $15.80 | $32,864 | $28,500 | $1,200/mo | 51% |
The 30% rule: Financial advisors recommend spending no more than 30% of income on housing. As the table shows, minimum wage workers in Ontario and BC would need to spend 80%+ of take-home pay on rent alone in major cities.
For strategies on living within your means, see our guides on budgeting apps in Canada and how to save money in Canada.
Minimum wages across Canada
Compare the income to Canada's minimum wage or other provinces:
