British Columbia Minimum Wage: Employee Facts

The general minimum wage in British Columbia is currently $16.75 per hour. It was increased by 6.9 per cent (or $1.10) from $15.65 on June 1, 2023.

B.C.’s general minimum wage applies to provincially regulated employees working full-time, part-time, or hourly in the province, as well as bartenders and liquor servers (who earned a separate, lower wage up until Jun. 1, 2021) and students.

There are different minimum wages for jobs like live-in camp leaders, live-in home support workers, and resident caregivers. Minimum wages for B.C. farmer workers employed on a piece work basis vary depending on the crop.

B.C. has the highest minimum wage among Canada’s 10 provinces.

SEE ALSO
• Statutory holidays in British Columbia
• What you need to know about changes to your job in B.C.
• Federal Minimum Wage in Canada

What is Minimum Wage?

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that an employer can pay an employee in British Columbia. The province sets and enforces its minimum wage standards, which aim to provide a wage floor for workers and help ensure that workers receive fair compensation for their labor.

• Search B.C. minimum wage by year: 2024 • 2025

The B.C. Employment Standards Act (ESA) provides the legal basis for the province’s minimum wage rates. The ESA establishes the general minimum wage, as well as different rates for various categories of workers, such as live-in camp leaders, live-in home support workers, resident caregivers, and farmers. These special categories exist because of the perceived differences in the nature of these types of work or the work environment.

Employees eligible for minimum wage include full-time, part-time and casual employees, as well as those earning an hourly rate, commission, piece rate, flat rate or salary.

Is Minimum Wage in B.C. Tied to Inflation?

Yes, the minimum wage in British Columbia is tied to inflation. The province is the first in Canada to do so. Each year, the provincial minimum wage will go up based on the previous year’s rate of inflation, but will never come down. Labour Minister Harry Bains tabled a new law confirming this on Feb. 26, 2024.

B.C.’s rate of inflation in 2023 was 3.9%. Therefore, the province’s minimum wage will rise by 65 cents to $17.40 on Jun. 1, 2024.

SEE ALSO
• Are B.C. employers required to give pay raises?
• Fired after asking for a raise in B.C.

Do Salaried Employees in B.C. Get Minimum Wage?

Yes, salaried employees in B.C. must be paid at least minimum wage.

Employers must “top up” payment for their workers if their pay dips below the minimum wage.

Other Minimum Wage in B.C.

Other minimum wages in B.C., as of Jun. 1, 2023 through to May 31, 2024, are:

• Liquor Servers: $16.75 per hour
• Live-in Camp Leaders: $133.69 daily rate (for each day or part day worked)
• Live-in Home Support Workers: $124.73 daily rate (for each day or part day worked)
• Resident Caretakers: $1,002.53 per month, plus $40.17 per suite (building with nine to 60 residential suites), or $3,414.85 per month (building with 61 or more residential suites)

Changes to B.C. Minimum Wage

The general minimum wage in B.C. typically changes on Jun. 1 every year. The new rates are usually announced at the end of February, or early March.

What is the B.C. Minimum Wage in 2024?

The minimum wage in B.C. in 2024 is currently $16.75 per hour, according to the Government of British Columbia. This is a 65 cent increase from 2023. The 2024 minimum wage will increase on Jun. 1, 2024 to $17.40 per hour.

What Will the B.C. Minimum Wage Be In 2025?

The minimum wage in B.C. in 2025 will be $17.40 per hour. This rate will run from Jun. 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, at which time it will be increased.

B.C. Minimum Wage Exemptions

Minimum wage does not apply to the following jobs or employment situations in B.C.:

• Federally regulated employees, such as those working for airlines, banks, federal civil service, post offices, radio, broadcasters (radio and TV), fisheries, and inter-provincial transportation. The federal minimum wage applies to employees in these industries.
• Certain other professions.

Does Minimum Wage Still Apply if I’m Paid on Commission?

If you are paid on commission, and your income is below the minimum wage for the number of hours you work, you should get the difference between the commission earned and the B.C. minimum wage.

This applies whether you are paid 100 per cent on commission, or a mix of commission and hourly wages.

My Employer Isn’t Paying My Wages, What Should I Do?

British Columbia’s Employment Standards Act requires employers in the province to pay a worker’s wages at least twice per month.

That income can’t be lower than the applicable minimum wage.

If your employer fails to pay your wages, you can:

• File a complaint with the Employment Standards Branch: They will investigate your claim and order your employer to pay the money they owe you.
• Explore a constructive dismissal claim: If you have grounds for a constructive dismissal claim, the law allows you to quit your job and pursue full severance pay. However, you shouldn’t resign before contacting an experienced B.C. employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Do I Get Severance If I’m Fired From a Minimum Wage Job in B.C.?

The short answer is yes. All non-unionized employees in B.C. working a minimum wage job are entitled to full severance pay when they are fired or let go.

This applies to those working in full-time or part-time positions in the province.

SEE ALSO
• Do I have to look for a new job after getting fired?
• Can I get my job back if I am fired?
• Employment Law Show: Facts about the termination process

How is severance pay calculated in B.C.?

Severance for non-unionized employees in B.C. can be as much as 24 months’ pay.

This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in the province.

The amount of compensation you are entitled to is calculated using several factors, including:

• Age
• Length of service
• Position at the company
• Ability to find new work

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru explains everything you need to know about severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

To figure out how much you could be owed, use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator. It has helped millions of Canadians determine their severance entitlements.

If your company doesn’t provide you with the correct amount, you have been wrongfully dismissed and should take legal action.

We regularly resolve wrongful dismissal claims and can help you secure proper severance.

LEARN MORE
• Should I negotiate my own severance package in B.C.?
• Severance pay during a recession
• Employment Law Show: Things to never do before seeking legal counsel

Additional Resources

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we have created additional resources about your employment-related rights in Canada:

• Statutory Holidays: Find out when statutory holidays occur in B.C., Alberta, and Ontario.
• Minimum Wage: In addition to B.C., we have guides to minimum wage for the federal, Alberta, and Ontario jurisdictions.
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP): Learn more about when CPP payments are made in 2024.