Ontario’s minimum wage is one of the highest in Canada, reflecting the province’s higher cost of living particularly in the Greater Toronto Area. Whether you are starting a new job, managing a household budget, or comparing wages across provinces, understanding the current Ontario minimum wage and how it translates to take-home pay is essential.
Ontario minimum wage 2025
The current minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour, effective October 1, 2024. Changes to the Ontario minimum wage are announced on or before April 1st of each year and take effect on October 1st. The minimum wage is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) which helps keep it aligned with the cost of goods and services in the province.
If an employee works a standard 40-hour week at $17.20 per hour, this converts to an annual salary of $35,776. For a complete breakdown see the Ontario hourly to salary calculator.
The average income in Ontario is $54,300 which is $18,524 higher than the annualized minimum wage salary of $35,776.
Ontario minimum wage by employee type
Ontario has different minimum wage rates depending on the type of work:
| Type of Employee | Minimum Wage (2025) |
|---|---|
| General employees | $17.20 / hour |
| Students under 18 | $16.20 / hour |
| Homeworkers | $18.90 / hour |
| Hunting, fishing & wilderness guides (< 5 hours/day) | $86.00 / day |
| Hunting, fishing & wilderness guides (5+ hours/day) | $172.05 / day |
The student minimum wage applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours per week or less during the school year, or work during a school break or summer holiday. Homeworkers — employees who do paid work from their own homes — receive a 10% premium over the general minimum wage.
Ontario minimum wage 2024
The minimum wage in Ontario for 2024 went through one change:
- January 1 – September 30, 2024: $16.55 per hour
- October 1 – December 31, 2024: $17.20 per hour (increase of $0.65)
This $0.65 increase represented a 3.9% year-over-year adjustment linked to the Ontario CPI.
How Ontario minimum wage converts to annual salary
Here is how $17.20/hour breaks down across different pay periods:
| Pay Period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $17.20 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $137.60 |
| Weekly (40 hours) | $688.00 |
| Biweekly | $1,376.00 |
| Monthly | $2,981.33 |
| Annual | $35,776.00 |
After Ontario provincial tax and federal tax, a full-time minimum wage worker would take home approximately $30,200 per year. Ontario’s combined provincial and federal tax on this income amounts to a marginal rate of about 20.05%. See the Ontario tax brackets for the full breakdown.
Ontario minimum wage history
Ontario’s minimum wage has seen significant increases over the past decade:
| Year | Minimum Wage | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17.20 | Pending Oct 1 update |
| 2024 | $17.20 | +$0.65 |
| 2023 | $16.55 | +$1.05 |
| 2022 | $15.50 | +$0.50 |
| 2021 | $14.35 | +$0.10 |
| 2020 | $14.25 | +$0.25 |
| 2019 | $14.00 | +$0.00 |
| 2018 | $14.00 | +$2.60 |
| 2017 | $11.40 | +$0.30 |
| 2016 | $11.25 | +$0.25 |
The most notable jump was in 2018 when the minimum wage increased by $2.60 from $11.40 to $14.00 as part of the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act. Since then, annual CPI-linked increases have continued to push the rate higher.
Cost of living on minimum wage in Ontario
Earning $35,776 per year on minimum wage is challenging in Ontario, especially in Toronto where housing costs are among the highest in Canada:
- Rent: The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto is approximately $2,200-$2,500/month which would consume 74-84% of gross monthly income at minimum wage.
- Outside Toronto: Cities like Ottawa, Hamilton, and London offer rents that are $300-$600/month lower but still represent a significant portion of minimum wage income.
- Groceries: Expect to spend $400-$500/month for a single person in Ontario.
- Transportation: A TTC monthly pass in Toronto costs $156/month.
The how much rent can I afford calculator can help you find a sustainable housing budget based on your income. For a broader view of expenses, see the cost of living in Toronto guide.
The 3-hour rule in Ontario
Ontario’s Employment Standards Act includes a “three-hour rule” that protects minimum wage workers:
- If you are called into work and end up working less than three hours, your employer must still pay you for a minimum of three hours at your regular rate.
- This means the shortest paid shift in Ontario is effectively three hours.
- The rule does not apply if the employer cannot provide work due to circumstances beyond their control (such as a fire or power failure) that last less than three hours.
This rule ensures that employees who make the effort to come to work are compensated fairly, even when shifts are cut short.
How Ontario compares to other provinces
Ontario has the second-highest minimum wage in Canada, just behind British Columbia:
| Province | Minimum Wage (2025) |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | $17.85 |
| Ontario | $17.20 |
| Yukon | $17.59 |
| Quebec | $15.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.70 |
| Alberta | $15.00 |
While Ontario’s hourly rate is high, the province also has a higher cost of living and higher sales tax (13% HST) compared to provinces like Alberta (no PST) and British Columbia (12% combined). When factoring in the sales tax in Ontario and housing costs, the purchasing power of Ontario’s minimum wage is lower than the hourly number suggests.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Ontario in 2025?
The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour. Any 2025 increases will be announced by April 1, 2025 and take effect October 1, 2025.
How much is minimum wage per year in Ontario?
At $17.20 per hour working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, the annual gross salary is $35,776 before taxes.
What is the 3-hour rule in Ontario?
The three-hour rule states that employees called into work must be paid for at least three hours even if they work less than three hours. This is the shortest legal paid shift in Ontario.
Is the minimum wage going up to $20 an hour in Ontario?
There is no announced plan to increase the Ontario minimum wage to $20 per hour. The rate is adjusted annually based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index.
What is the student minimum wage in Ontario?
The minimum wage for students under 18 in Ontario is $16.20 per hour in 2025. This applies when students work 28 hours or less per week during the school year.
Which province has the highest minimum wage in Canada?
British Columbia has the highest minimum wage at $17.85 per hour effective June 1, 2025.
Related guides
- Ontario hourly to salary calculator
- Average income in Ontario
- Ontario tax brackets
- Cost of living in Toronto
- Ontario sales tax calculator
- How much rent can I afford?
Minimum wages across Canada
Compare the income to Canada's minimum wage or other provinces:
