Employment Law

Minimum Wage BC 2025 | Current Rate, Vancouver Wages & Yearly Increases

B.C. minimum wage, bc minimum wage

The minimum wage in British Columbia is $17.40 per hour as of June 1, 2025 (Government of British Columbia). BC has the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada, adjusted annually based on the BC Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This guide explains the current minimum wage in BC, Vancouver-specific details, yearly increases, and what to do if your employer is paying you less.

✅ Quick Facts: BC Minimum Wage 2025

  • Current General Minimum Wage: $17.40/hour (effective June 1, 2025)
  • Applies To: Most employees, including hourly, salaried, commission, and piece-rate workers
  • Student/Youth Rate: No separate student wage — all workers receive the same rate
  • Liquor Servers: No lower wage since 2021 — they receive the general rate
  • Federal Minimum Wage (for federally regulated employers): $17.75/hour as of Apr. 1, 2025 (Federal Minimum Wage).
  • BC increases rates annually on June 1, tied to CPI, as per Part 3, Section 16.2 of the Employment Standards Act.

BC Minimum Wage Rates (2020-2025)

Effective Date General Minimum Wage Notes
June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 $17.40/hour Current rate
June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025 $17.00/hour
June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 $16.75/hour
June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023 $15.65/hour
June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022 $15.20/hour

Who Does BC’s Minimum Wage Apply To?

BC’s Employment Standards Act requires most employers to pay the minimum wage, including:

  • Full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary employees
  • Hourly, salaried, commission-based, or piece-rate workers
  • Jobs in retail, restaurants, construction, call centres, delivery, hospitality, and more
⚠️ Employers must ensure that your total compensation divided by hours worked equals or exceeds $17.40/hour.

Minimum Wage in BC for Students and Liquor Servers

Worker Category Current Rate Notes
General employees $17.40/hour Applies to all workers
Students (under 18) $17.40/hour No separate student wage
Liquor servers $17.40/hour Lower liquor server wage eliminated in 2021
Salaried employees Must average ≥ $17.40/hour Salary ÷ hours worked
Federally regulated workers $17.75/hour Federal minimum wage (as of Apr. 1, 2025)

What is the Minimum Wage in Vancouver?

There is no separate minimum wage for Vancouver. The general BC minimum wage of $17.40/hour applies across the province.

⚠️ However, the living wage in Vancouver is much higher — $27.05/hour as of 2024 (Living Wage BC). This reflects the true cost of housing, food, transportation, and basic needs in Metro Vancouver.

Is Minimum Wage Going Up in BC in 2025?

  • Yes. The minimum wage increased from $17.00/hour to $17.40/hour on June 1, 2025 (Government of British Columbia – Media Release)
  • BC law requires annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
  • The next increase will take effect June 1, 2026.

What To Do If You’re Paid Below Minimum Wage

If you’re a non-unionized employee and your employer is paying less than the legal minimum wage, you may be entitled to:


BC Minimum Wage Yearly Increases

Year Rate
2025 $17.40/hour
2024 $17.00/hour
2023 $16.75/hour
2022 $15.65/hour
2021 $15.20/hour

FAQs – Minimum Wage BC 2025

What is the Minimum Wage in BC in 2025?

$17.40/hour as of June 1, 2025.

What Was the Minimum Wage in BC in 2024?

$17.00/hour.

What is the Minimum Wage in Vancouver?

$17.40/hour — same as the provinical rate.

Is the Minimum Wage Going Up in BC?

Yes, it increased on June 1, 2025, and will rise again June 1, 2026.

Does BC Have a Student Minimum Wage?

No. All workers, including students and youth, must be paid at least $17.40/hour.

Does Minimum Wage Apply to Salaried Employees?

Yes. Your total pay ÷ total hours must equal at least $17.40/hour.


Speak to an Employment Lawyer

If your employer:

  • Misclassifies you to avoid paying wage entitlements
  • Penalizes or fires you for asking about wage rights

You are entitled to back pay and full severance pay — up to 24 months’ compensation.

🛡️ Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped over 50,000 clients across Canada, recovering millions in compensation. If your employer isn’t following wage laws, speak with an employment lawyer Vancouver residents trust to protect your income and your rights.

We have:

  • 👥 Helped 50,000 clients across Canada
  • 💰 Secured millions in severance payouts
  • ⚖️ Settled over 99% of cases quickly through negotiation or mediation
  • 📱 Free Termination Consultations — in many, but not all, cases
  • 3,000+ 5-star Google reviews across Canada (4.7 average)
  • 🏆 Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms (Globe and Mail)

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or book online.

The minimum wage in British Columbia is $17.40 per hour as of June 1, 2025 (Government of British Columbia). BC has the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada, adjusted annually based on the BC Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This guide explains the current minimum wage in BC, Vancouver-specific details, yearly increases, and what to do if your employer is paying you less.

✅ Quick Facts: BC Minimum Wage 2025

  • Current General Minimum Wage: $17.40/hour (effective June 1, 2025)
  • Applies To: Most employees, including hourly, salaried, commission, and piece-rate workers
  • Student/Youth Rate: No separate student wage — all workers receive the same rate
  • Liquor Servers: No lower wage since 2021 — they receive the general rate
  • Federal Minimum Wage (for federally regulated employers): $17.75/hour (as of Apr. 1, 2025)
  • BC increases rates annually on June 1, tied to CPI, as per Part 3, Section 16.2 of the Employment Standards Act.

BC Minimum Wage Rates (2020-2025)

Effective Date General Minimum Wage Notes
June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 $17.40/hour Current rate
June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025 $17.00/hour
June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 $16.75/hour
June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023 $15.65/hour
June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022 $15.20/hour

Who Does BC’s Minimum Wage Apply To?

BC’s Employment Standards Act requires most employers to pay the minimum wage, including:

  • Full-time, part-time, casual, and temporary employees
  • Hourly, salaried, commission-based, or piece-rate workers
  • Jobs in retail, restaurants, construction, call centres, delivery, hospitality, and more
⚠️ Employers must ensure that your total compensation divided by hours worked equals or exceeds $17.40/hour.

Minimum Wage in BC for Students and Liquor Servers

Worker Category Current Rate Notes
General employees $17.40/hour Applies to all workers
Students (under 18) $17.40/hour No separate student wage
Liquor servers $17.40/hour Lower liquor server wage eliminated in 2021
Salaried employees Must average ≥ $17.40/hour Salary ÷ hours worked
Federally regulated workers $17.75/hour Federal minimum wage (as of Apr. 1, 2025)

What is the Minimum Wage in Vancouver?

There is no separate minimum wage for Vancouver. The general BC minimum wage of $17.40/hour applies across the province.

⚠️ However, the living wage in Vancouver is much higher — $27.05/hour as of 2024 (Living Wage BC). This reflects the true cost of housing, food, transportation, and basic needs in Metro Vancouver.

Is Minimum Wage Going Up in BC in 2025?

  • Yes. The minimum wage increased from $17.00/hour to $17.40/hour on June 1, 2025 (Government of British Columbia – Media Release)
  • BC law requires annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
  • The next increase will take effect June 1, 2026.

What To Do If You’re Paid Below Minimum Wage

If you’re a non-unionized employee and your employer is paying less than the legal minimum wage, you may be entitled to:


BC Minimum Wage Yearly Increases

Year Rate
2025 $17.40/hour
2024 $17.00/hour
2023 $16.75/hour
2022 $15.65/hour
2021 $15.20/hour

FAQs – Minimum Wage BC 2025

What is the Minimum Wage in BC in 2025?

$17.40/hour as of June 1, 2025.

What Was the Minimum Wage in BC in 2024?

$17.00/hour.

What is the Minimum Wage in Vancouver?

$17.40/hour — same as the provinical rate.

Is the Minimum Wage Going Up in BC?

Yes, it increased on June 1, 2025, and will rise again June 1, 2026.

Does BC Have a Student Minimum Wage?

No. All workers, including students and youth, must be paid at least $17.40/hour.

Does Minimum Wage Apply to Salaried Employees?

Yes. Your total pay ÷ total hours must equal at least $17.40/hour.


Speak to an Employment Lawyer

If your employer:

  • Misclassifies you to avoid paying wage entitlements
  • Penalizes or fires you for asking about wage rights

You are entitled to back pay and full severance pay — up to 24 months’ compensation.

🛡️ Samfiru Tumarkin LLP has helped over 50,000 clients across Canada, recovering millions in compensation. If your employer isn’t following wage laws, speak with an employment lawyer Vancouver residents trust to protect your income and your rights.

We have:

  • 👥 Helped 50,000 clients across Canada
  • 💰 Secured millions in severance payouts
  • ⚖️ Settled over 99% of cases quickly through negotiation or mediation
  • 📱 Free Termination Consultations — in many, but not all, cases
  • 3,000+ 5-star Google reviews across Canada (4.7 average)
  • 🏆 Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms (Globe and Mail)

📞 Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or book online.

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