Ontario minimum wage 2024
The minimum wage in Ontario for 2024 is $17.20 per hour effective October 1, 2024. This minimum wage represents a $0.65 increase on the existing minimum of wage of $16.55 per hour. The minimum wage also increased for students under 18, homeworkers and hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides.
If an employee were to work a 40 hour work week at Ontario’s minimum wage of $17.20 it would represent an annual salary of $35,776 based on this Ontario hourly to salary calculator.
The average income in Ontario is $54,300 which is $18,524 higher than the annual salary of $35,776 represented from the $17.20 per hour minimum wage.
After this increase Ontario has the second highest minimum wage only behind that of British Columbia which has a minimum wage of $17.40 per hour.
Ontario minimum wage changes
Changes to the minimum wage in Ontario are effective on October 1st of each year. Any changes to the minimum wage are announced on or before April 1st of the year in which changes are being made.
- General minimum wage: $17.20 per hour (increase from $16.55)
- Students minimum wage: $16.20 per hour (increase from $15.50)
- Homeworkers Wage: $18.90 per hour (increase from $18.20)
Additionally for hunting, fishing & wilderness guides there is a minimum wage of $86.00 per day (if less than five consecutive hours in a day are worked); which increases to $172.05 per day (with five or more hours in a day worked).
Ontario minimum wage 2025
Any minimum wage increases for Ontario in 2025 will be determined by April 1, 2025. Any changes will become effective on October 1, 2025. The minimum wage in Ontario increases anually based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI). This helps to keep the minimum wage in line with prices on common goods in Ontario.
Ontario minimum wage 2023
The minimum wage in Ontario for 2023 was $15.50 per hour as of January 1, 2023. The minimum wage in 2023 then saw an increase of $1.05 to a new hourly rate of $16.55 which was effective October 1, 2023.
Ontario minimum wage history
The below chart shows how the minimum wage has increased over the past 15-years in Ontario:
Over the past 15-year the minimum wage in Ontario has increased from $8.75 in 2009 to $17.20 in 2024. This is a $8.45 increase or 96.57% over this time period.
The most recent five years have seen the hourly wage in Ontario increase from $14.25 in 2021 to the current minimum wage of $17.20 in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 3-hour rule in Ontario?
The 3-hour rule states that employees in Ontario are entitled to be paid for at least three hours at minimum if they are required by their employer to come into work and work for less than three hours. Three hours is the shortest shift you can legally work in Ontario.
Is the minimum wage going up to $20 an hour in Ontario?
The minimum wage in Ontario is not increasing to $20 per hour. The general minimum wage did increase in Ontario to $17.20 per hour which was effective October 1, 2024.
What is the minimum wage in Ontario for a 16 year old?
The minimum wage for a 16 year old in Ontario would be $16.20 as this is the Ontario minimum wage for students under 18 years old.
Which province has the highest minimum wage in Canada?
British columbia has the highest minimum wage of $17.40 per hour in Canada. This minimum wage was effective June 1, 2024.
Minimum wages across Canada
Compare the income to Canada's minimum wage or other provinces:
