Ontario minimum wage 2024: Everything you need to know

The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour, effective October 1, 2024.

This increase from $16.55 per hour aims to help workers keep up with the rising cost of living.

What is the minimum wage in Ontario?

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that an employer can legally pay their employees in Ontario.

It applies to most provincially regulated workers, whether they are full-time, part-time, or hourly.

This includes bartenders and alcohol servers, who previously had a lower minimum wage until January 1, 2022.

READ MORE
• Are Ontario businesses required to give pay raises?
• Statutory holidays in Ontario

Current minimum wage rates in Ontario (2024-2025)

Note: Future increases will be announced by the Ontario government.

Ontario’s minimum wage timeline (2020-2025)

Special minimum wage categories in Ontario

While the general minimum wage applies to most workers, Ontario has special rates for certain categories:

• Student Minimum Wage: $16.15 per hour (for students under 18 years old working 28 hours a week or less)
• Homeworkers Minimum Wage: $18.90 per hour (for employees doing paid work in their own home)
• Hunting, Fishing, and Wilderness Guides:
  • $85.95 for working less than five consecutive hours in a day
  • $171.90 for working five or more hours in a day, whether or not the hours are consecutive

Who is exempt from minimum wage in Ontario?

Minimum wage laws do not apply to certain jobs and employment situations, including:

• Federally Regulated Employees: Those working in industries like airlines, banks, federal civil service, post offices, radio and TV broadcasting, fisheries, and inter-provincial transportation.
• Students in Special Programs: Participants in programs run by schools or universities.
• Community Participation Workers: Under the Ontario Works Act.
• Police Officers, Inmates, and Young Offenders: Engaged in specific work or rehabilitation programs.
• Elected Officials: Individuals in political, judicial, or union positions.
• Major Junior Hockey Players: Meeting specific criteria.

For detailed information on exemptions, visit the Government of Ontario’s guide on special rules.

Do salaried employees receive minimum wage?

Yes. Salaried employees in Ontario must receive at least the minimum wage for the hours they work. Employers are required to ensure that an employee’s salary meets or exceeds what they would earn at the minimum wage rate.

Changes to Ontario minimum wage

Ontario typically adjusts its minimum wage rates on October 1 each year. These changes are usually announced in or around April, allowing employers and employees time to prepare for the adjustments.

Minimum wage vs. living wage in Ontario

While the minimum wage is the legal minimum employers must pay, the living wage is what workers need to earn to cover the actual cost of living in their region. According to the Ontario Living Wage Network, the living wage in the Greater Toronto Area is $25.05 per hour (2023). This figure accounts for essentials like housing, food, transportation, and childcare.

Fired from a minimum wage job?

All non-unionized employees in Ontario, including those earning minimum wage, are entitled to full severance pay if they are terminated without cause. This applies to both full-time and part-time workers.

LEARN MORE
• Severance Pay in Ontario
• Understanding Wrongful Dismissal in Ontario

Additional resources

• Statutory Holidays: Dates and entitlements in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.
• Minimum Wage Guides: Information for Federal, Alberta, and B.C. workers
• CPP Payment Dates: Canada Pension Plan Payment Schedule
• Vacation Entitlements: Vacation Time and Vacation Pay in Ontario
• Minimum Legal Working Age: Regulations in Ontario, Alberta, and B.C.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the minimum wage in Ontario now?

As of October 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour.

What will the minimum wage be in Ontario in 2025?

Any changes to the minimum wage after October 1, 2024, have not yet been announced.

The Ontario government typically announces wage adjustments in or around April each year.

Are employers required to give pay raises beyond minimum wage increases?

While employers must comply with minimum wage laws, they are not legally required to provide pay raises beyond these increases.

However, many employers offer raises based on performance, tenure, or cost of living adjustments.

• READ MORE: Are Ontario businesses required to give pay raises?