The current minimum wage in Ontario is $16.50 per hour. On the 5th of April, 2022, the Ontario government announced that the minimum wage would increase to $16.55 per hour, effective October 1, 2023.
The student minimum wage in Ontario is $15.60 per hour. The Ontario government also announced the increase in student minimum wage from $14.60 to $15.60 per hour, effective October 1, 2023.
This minimum wage rate is the lowest amount an employer can pay an employee. The general minimum wage applies to most employees working full-time, part-time, or hourly in Ontario.
The Ontario provincial government determines the minimum wage in Ontario, which is adjusted occasionally to reflect inflation and employees’ working conditions.
Minimum Wage Rates in Ontario
Minimum Wage Rate | Rates from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 | Rates from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 |
General minimum wage | $15.50 per hour | $16.55 per hour |
Student minimum wage | $14.60 per hour | $15.60 per hour |
Liquor servers minimum wage | $15.50 per hou | $16.55 per hour |
Homeworkers wage | $17.05 per hour | $18.20 per hour |
Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides minimum wage | $77.60 for five consecutive hours in a day | $82.85 for five consecutive hours in a day |
General Minimum Wage
The general minimum wage rate applies to most employees in Ontario. If you are in Ontario and do not fall under the other categories of rates, like students or homeworkers, then the general minimum wage applies to you.
So, if you work for 38 hours and are paid on a weekly basis, you should expect to receive $627.00 as weekly pay (38 hours x $16.50 per hour).
Student Minimum Wage
The student minimum wage rate applies to Ontario students under 18 years who work 28 hours weekly or less when school is in session. The rate also applies to students who work during school breaks or summer holidays.
Previously, students in Ontario received $14.60 till it was increased to $15.60 per hour on October 1, 2023.
Ontario students who work more than 28 hours a week when school is in session are entitled to receive the general minimum wage of $15.50 per hour.
Liquor Servers Minimum Wage
There is no special minimum wage rate in Ontario for liquor servers. The special rate for liquor servers was eliminated on January 1, 2022.
Liquor servers in Ontario are now entitled to earn the minimum wage. This is a huge increase of 19.5% in liquor servers’ wages from the $12.55 per hour wage rate.
Homeworkers Minimum Wage
Generally, homeworkers are employees who do paid work in their homes, such as sewing clothes for a clothing manufacturer, writing software for a high-tech company, or answering calls for a call centre.
Even students who are employed as homeworkers, regardless of their age, are entitled to receive the homeworker’s minimum wage.
Hunting, Fishing and Wilderness Guides Minumum Wage
The minimum wage rate for hunting, fishing and wilderness guides is based on time blocks and not by the hour.
There are different rates for working less than five consecutive hours in a day and working five hours or more in a day, even when the hours are not consecutive.
Wilderness guides are employed to teach, guide, or assist persons while they engage in activities in a wilderness environment, like hiking, dogsledding, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, etc.
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Minimum Wage in Ontario Vs. Living Wage
A living wage is the amount of money a worker needs to earn to cover their basic living expenses, such as food, housing, transportation, and healthcare.
In Ontario, the average living wage is estimated to be around $19.72 per hour. The living wage varies depending on the region and family size.
According to the Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN), Toronto workers must earn up to $23.15 per hour to survive, the highest of all the cities in Ontario. London-Elgin-Oxford is the city with the lowest living wage at $18.05.
Living wage in Ontario has increased in recent times because of the hike in the cost of things, the rising consumer price index, and inflation.
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Minimum Wage Increases in Ontario
The government reviews and adjusts the minimum wage annually on or before October 1st of each year in Ontario, based on the inflation rate. In other provinces,
The government has recently announced an increase in the current minimum wage from $15.50 per hour to $16.55 per hour, effective October 1, 2023.
The rate was previously increased by 3.33% from $15.00 per hour on October 1, 2022, and will now increase by 6.8%, as announced.
Employers must pay their employees at least the minimum wage rate set by the government in their jurisdiction. If the minimum wage increases, employers must adjust their employees’ pay accordingly to comply with the new rate.
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Final Thoughts On Ontario Minimum Wage
If you’re living and working in the province, knowing the current minimum wage rates and any upcoming changes is essential.
The minimum wage is an important aspect of any economy, as it directly affects the livelihoods of workers.
In this article, we’ll explore the minimum wage rates in Ontario, including the general minimum wage, student minimum wage, homeworkers minimum wage, and more.
Keeping up-to-date with the current minimum wage rates and any upcoming changes is crucial for employers and employees alike. So, join us as we navigate the world of Ontario’s minimum wage.
