Minimum wage in every province and territory, 2026, ranked

The highest general minimum wage in Canada is $20.17 in Nunavut and the lowest is $15.00 in Alberta, as of October 3, 2026. A full-time year at 40 hours a week runs from $31,200 to $41,954 before tax. This table lists every rate, when it started, and the increases already announced.

What the numbers show

  • The spread between the highest and lowest general minimum wage is $5.17 an hour, or $10,754 a year full time.
  • 1 jurisdictions have an increase already scheduled: Prince Edward Island to $17.60 on April 1, 2027.
  • Ontario's $17.95 pays $37,336 for a 40-hour year, which takes home about $30,911 after tax, CPP and EI.
  • The federal rate of $18.15 applies to banks, airlines, rail, telecoms and other federally regulated employers, unless the province's rate is higher.
  • Alberta's rate has not changed since June 26, 2019, the longest gap in the country.

Every jurisdiction, ranked

Rate in force on October 3, 2026, the annual pay at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, and the take-home after federal and provincial tax, CPP and EI for a single person.

JurisdictionMinimum wageSinceNext announcedFull-time year, before taxAfter tax
Nunavut$20.17September 1, 2026none$41,954$35,265
Yukon$18.51April 1, 2026none$38,501$32,152
British Columbia$18.25June 1, 2026none$37,960$31,889
Federally regulated$18.15April 1, 2026none$37,752by province
Ontario$17.95October 1, 2026none$37,336$30,911
Prince Edward Island$17.30October 1, 2026$17.60 on April 1, 2027$35,984$29,470
Northwest Territories$17.20September 1, 2026none$35,776$30,238
Nova Scotia$17.00October 1, 2026none$35,360$28,706
Quebec$16.60May 1, 2026none$34,528$28,402
Manitoba$16.40October 1, 2026none$34,112$28,082
Newfoundland and Labrador$16.35April 1, 2026none$34,008$28,109
New Brunswick$15.90April 1, 2026none$33,072$27,370
Saskatchewan$15.35October 1, 2025none$31,928$27,089
Alberta$15.00June 26, 2019none$31,200$26,989

How the rates are set

Each province and territory sets its own general minimum wage under its employment standards law. Most now adjust it once a year by a formula tied to the consumer price index, on April 1 or October 1, and announce the new figure a few months ahead. The federal rate covers only federally regulated employers and is indexed each April 1. The table is taken from the Government of Canada's minimum wage database, which is updated as governments publish changes. The hourly to salary calculator checks any wage against the rate in force today and converts it to a salary.

Common questions

Which province has the highest minimum wage?
Nunavut at $20.17 an hour, in force since September 1, 2026. Among the provinces, British Columbia is highest at $18.25.
Which province has the lowest minimum wage?
Alberta at $15.00, unchanged since June 26, 2019.
When does the minimum wage go up next?
The next scheduled increase is Prince Edward Island to $17.60 on April 1, 2027. Most provinces adjust on April 1 or October 1, several by a formula tied to inflation.
What is minimum wage per year?
At 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, $15.00 is $31,200 and $20.17 is $41,954 before tax. Many minimum-wage jobs are under 40 hours, so real annual pay is often lower.
Are students and servers paid the same rate?
Not everywhere. Some provinces keep a lower student rate or liquor-server rate. This table is the general adult rate only. The hourly to salary calculator checks any wage against it.

How to cite this

GlassLayer, "Minimum wage in every province and territory, 2026, ranked", 2026, https://glasslayer.ca/data/minimum-wage-by-province-2026. Figures from the primary sources listed below, compiled and verified . Reuse is free with a link back.

Sources

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from one of these primary sources. Data last verified .

  1. CRA – Tax rates on withdrawals (RRSP/RRIF)
  2. Revenu Québec – Single Payments (source deductions)
  3. CRA – Transfer of a retiring allowance
  4. CRA – Special payments chart
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  6. CRA – Federal non-refundable tax credits for newcomers and emigrants
  7. CRA – Before you contribute to a TFSA
  8. Vacation - Province of British Columbia
  9. Vacation pay | Alberta.ca
  10. Calculating and Paying Vacation Pay | Annual Vacation and Vacation Pay | Government of Saskatchewan
  11. Vacations and Vacation Pay - Employment Standards - Manitoba
  12. Your guide to the Employment Standards Act: Vacation (ontario.ca)
  13. Act respecting labour standards, CQLR c. N-1.1, ss. 67-69, 74 (LegisQuebec); CNESST 'Annual vacation'
  14. Employment Standards Act, S.N.B. c. E-7.2, ss. 24-25 (laws.gnb.ca); 'Paid public holidays, vacation time and pay' (gnb.ca)
  15. Vacation Time and Vacation Pay (novascotia.ca Labour Standards); Labour Standards Code R.S.N.S. 1989 c.246 s.32-34
  16. Employment Standards Act, Chapter 66 (Bill 76), 2024 - Legislative Assembly of PEI chapter PDF
  17. Labour Standards Act, R.S.N.L. 1990 c. L-2, ss. 8-9 (House of Assembly consolidated statutes); 'Your Rights at Work' booklet (gov.nl.ca)
  18. Learn about annual vacation pay and vacation time | Yukon.ca
  19. Employment Standards Act, SNWT 2007, c.13 (office consolidation), s.25(1)
  20. Labour and Employment Standards in Nunavut | Government of Nunavut
  21. Annual vacations and general holidays for employees working for federally regulated employers - Canada.ca
  22. Government of Canada – Current and forthcoming general minimum wage rates in Canada (modified 2026-09-17)
  23. CRA T4127 Payroll Deductions Formulas, 123rd Edition, effective July 1, 2026 (Rev. 26/06)
  24. CRA – CPP contribution rates, maximums and exemptions
  25. CRA – Second additional CPP (CPP2) contribution rates and maximums
  26. ESDC – EI maternity and parental benefits: how much you could receive
  27. CRA – EI premium rates and maximums
  28. CRA – Indexation adjustment for personal income tax and benefit amounts
  29. Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.), s. 150(1)(d) and s. 156.1(4): filing deadlines and balance-due day
  30. Canada Employment Insurance Commission – Canada Employment Insurance Commission confirms 2027 Employment Insurance premium rate (September 14, 2026)

Data verified . Every figure is generated from the same data files that power the calculators, so this page updates when they do.