Key takeaways
- Five provinces raised the minimum wage on October 1, 2026: Ontario ($17.95), Manitoba ($16.40), Saskatchewan ($15.70), Nova Scotia ($17.00) and PEI ($17.30)
- Nunavut has the highest rate at $20.17; Alberta the lowest at $15.00, unchanged since 2019
- Federally regulated jobs (banks, airlines, telecoms) pay at least $18.15
- Full-time at 40 hours a week, minimum wage pays about $31,200 a year in Alberta and $37,960 in BC
- Some jobs have special rates, such as students in Ontario and Alberta and tip earners in Quebec
Minimum wage by province and territory (October 2026)
| Jurisdiction | General minimum wage | Since | Next change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $20.17 | Sep 1, 2026 | Indexed each September |
| Yukon | $18.51 | Apr 1, 2026 | Indexed each April |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | Jun 1, 2026 | Indexed each June |
| Federal (federally regulated jobs) | $18.15 | Apr 1, 2026 | Indexed each April |
| Ontario | $17.95 | Oct 1, 2026 | Indexed each October |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | Oct 1, 2026 | $17.60 on Apr 1, 2027 |
| Northwest Territories | $17.20 | Sep 1, 2026 | Indexed each September |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | Oct 1, 2026 | Set yearly |
| Quebec | $16.60 | May 1, 2026 | Set each May |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | Oct 1, 2026 | Indexed each October |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | Apr 1, 2026 | Indexed each April |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | Apr 1, 2026 | Indexed each April |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | Oct 1, 2026 | Indexed each October |
| Alberta | $15.00 | Jun 26, 2019 | No increase announced |
If a pay period includes October 1, your employer pays the old rate for hours before that date and the new rate for hours on or after it.
Special minimum wage rates
Most adults get the general rate above. Some provinces have other rates:
- Ontario: students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less during the school term get $16.90. Homeworkers (paid work done from home) get $19.70.
- Alberta: students under 18 get $13.00 for the first 28 hours a week while school is in session.
- Quebec: employees who usually receive tips get $13.30.
Some jobs, such as farm work, live-in care or commission sales, have their own rules. Ask your province’s employment standards office if you are not sure.
How the calculator counts
The calculator multiplies the hourly rate by your hours per week and the weeks you are paid:
Yearly pay = hourly wage × hours per week × paid weeks
Monthly pay is yearly pay divided by 12. Take-home pay uses our net pay calculator engine: 2026 federal and provincial tax, CPP or QPP, EI and QPIP, with the basic personal amount and the Canada employment amount. For federally regulated jobs, it uses Ontario tax as an example.
If you enter your own hourly wage, the tool also checks it against your province’s minimum.
Worked example
You work 40 hours a week in Ontario at the new minimum wage of $17.95:
- Weekly: $17.95 × 40 = $718
- Yearly (52 paid weeks): $718 × 52 = $37,336
- Monthly: about $3,111
- Estimated take-home pay: about $30,900 a year, or $2,575 a month
Compare that with rent in your city before you sign a lease. Our newcomer budget calculator helps you plan.
What to do next
- Check every pay stub. It must show your hours, rate and deductions.
- If you work more than the overtime limit, check your pay with the overtime pay calculator.
- Vacation pay is extra: see the vacation pay calculator.
- Low income? You may get the GST/HST credit, the Canada Workers Benefit and other payments when you file taxes. Try the benefit estimator.
- Looking for better-paid work? Start with our guide to finding a job.