Minimum Wage Canada 2025: All Provinces Ranked

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Current minimum wage rates for every province and territory, with take-home pay estimates and upcoming increases.

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Minimum Wage by Province — 2025

Province/TerritoryHourly Rate (2025)Annual (Full-Time)Rank
British Columbia$17.85~$37,1281st (highest)
Ontario$17.20~$35,7762nd
Alberta$15.00~$31,2003rd
Nova Scotia$15.70~$32,6563rd (tied)
Prince Edward Island$16.00~$33,2804th
Newfoundland and Labrador$15.60~$32,4485th
Manitoba$15.80~$32,8645th
New Brunswick$15.65~$32,5526th
Saskatchewan$15.00~$31,2007th
Quebec$16.10~$33,4884th
Northwest Territories$16.05~$33,384—
Yukon$17.59~$36,587—
Nunavut$19.00~$39,520Highest overall

Nunavut has Canada's highest nominal minimum wage at $19.00/hour, reflecting the high cost of living in the territory. However, the cost of living in Nunavut is also dramatically higher than southern provinces.

Take-Home Pay on Minimum Wage in Canada 2025

Working full-time (40hrs/week, 52 weeks) at minimum wage in each province:

ProvinceGross AnnualEst. Tax + DeductionsNet Take-Home/YearMonthly Take-Home
British Columbia ($17.85/hr)$37,128~$7,800~$29,328~$2,444
Ontario ($17.20/hr)$35,776~$7,400~$28,376~$2,365
Quebec ($16.10/hr)$33,488~$7,200~$26,288~$2,191
Alberta ($15.00/hr)$31,200~$5,800~$25,400~$2,117

At minimum wage, workers receive the Canada Workers Benefit (CWB), a refundable tax credit that can provide up to $1,590/year for single workers and $2,739/year for families.

Minimum Wage History and Trends

Canadian minimum wages have increased significantly over the past decade, driven by cost-of-living increases and political pressure. Most provinces index their minimum wage to inflation or review it annually.

Province2015 Rate2020 Rate2025 Rate% Increase (10yr)
Ontario$11.25$14.25$17.20+53%
British Columbia$10.25$14.60$17.85+74%
Alberta$10.20$15.00$15.00+47% (frozen since 2018)
Quebec$10.35$13.10$16.10+56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is minimum wage the same across Canada?
No. Each province and territory sets its own minimum wage. There is also a federal minimum wage ($17.30/hour in 2025) that applies to federally regulated workers (banks, airlines, telecom, interprovincial transport). Workers covered by federal labour law are paid the higher of the federal or provincial rate.
Are there different minimum wages for young workers or students?
Most provinces have eliminated special sub-minimum wages for youth or students. Ontario maintains a liquor server wage of $15.60/hour (vs $17.20 general), and some provinces have lower rates for specific categories. Ontario previously had a student minimum wage but eliminated it.
Can you live on minimum wage in Canada?
In most major Canadian cities, minimum wage is insufficient to cover average rents while maintaining other necessities. A single person on minimum wage in Toronto earning ~$28,376/year after tax would need to spend over 80% of income on average rent alone. In smaller, more affordable cities, minimum wage stretches further but remains tight.
When does minimum wage increase in Canada?
Most provinces update minimum wages on October 1 each year, though some use April 1 or January 1. BC and Quebec are among the most consistent at annual inflation-linked increases. Alberta has not increased its minimum wage since 2018.
What is a living wage in Canada?
A "living wage" is higher than the minimum wage and represents the hourly rate needed to cover basic expenses in a specific community. Living wage calculations vary by city: Toronto's living wage is approximately $25–$27/hour, Vancouver's around $25/hour, while Winnipeg's is closer to $19/hour. Most minimum wages remain below living wage benchmarks in major cities.