Ontario Minimum Wage 2026: Complete Employee Guide
On Oct. 1, 2025, Ontario’s minimum wage increased 40 cents to $17.60 per hour (Government of Ontario).
The new rate applies to most non-unionized employees in the province, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried workers.
Wage increases are tied to Ontario’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) — under section 23.1 of the Employment Standards Act (ESA) — which requires annual adjustments.
Ontario’s minimum wage is governed by the Employment Standards Act, and disputes about pay often overlap with broader employment law issues in Ontario, including misclassification and unpaid wages.
✅ Quick Facts: Ontario Minimum Wage 2025
- General Minimum Wage: $17.60/hour
- Effective Dates: Oct. 1, 2025 – Sept. 30, 2026
- Student Minimum Wage: $16.60/hour (under 18, ≤ 28 hrs/week)
- Homeworkers: $19.35/hour
- Hunting, Fishing & Wilderness Guides: $88.05/day (<5 hrs) | $176.15/day (5+ hrs)
- Liquor Servers: Paid general minimum wage since 2022
- Announced: Sept. 29, 2025 by Government of Ontario
Ontario Minimum Wage Rates (2024-2026)
| Job Category | Oct 1, 2024 – Sept 30, 2025 | Oct 1, 2025 – Sept 30, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General Minimum Wage | $17.20/hour | $17.60/hour |
| Student Minimum Wage | $16.20/hour | $16.60/hour |
| Homeworkers | $18.90/hour | $19.35/hour |
| Guides (<5 hrs/day) | $86.00/day | $88.05/day |
| Guides (5+ hrs/day) | $172.05/day | $176.15/day |
See more information through Ontario’s Minimum Wage Guide.
What Does Ontario’s Minimum Wage Apply To?
- Full-time, part-time, or casual workers
- Employees paid by hourly, salary, commission, or piece rate
- Most provincially regulated businesss (retail, hospitality, construction, admin, call centres, etc.)
Who’s Exempt from Minimum Wage in Ontario?
Some categories do not qualify under the ESA, including:
- Federally regulated workers (banks, airlines, telecom, postal services — covered by the federal minimum wage, now $17.75/hour as of April 1, 2025) (Government of Canada – Federal Minimum Wage)
- Students in unpaid co-op or work placements
- Certain community program participants
- Elected officials, judges, MPs, MPPs
- Inmates and young offenders in work programs
- Some major junior hockey players under ESA exemptions
Paid Below Minimum Wage? Next Steps
If you’re a non-unionized employee and your employer is paying less than the legal minimum wage, you may be entitled to:
- Back pay for unpaid wages
- Full severance pay in Ontario if penalized or fired — which may also amount to wrongful dismissal under Ontario law.
Ontario Minimum Wage History (2020-2026)
| Effective Date | General Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2025 | $17.60/hour |
| Oct 1, 2024 | $17.20/hour |
| Oct 1, 2023 | $16.55/hour |
| Oct 1, 2022 | $15.50/hour |
| Jan 1, 2022 | $15.00/hour |
| Oct 1, 2021 | $14.35/hour |
| Oct 1, 2020 | $14.25/hour |
Why Ontario Adjusts the Minimum Wage Each Year
The Ontario government ties increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to reflect cost-of-living changes.
- Rates are announced by April 1 each year
- Increases take effect Oct. 1
- Helps ensure workers’ wages keep pace with inflation
Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage
- Minimum Wage (2025): $17.60/hour
- Living Wage: $27.20/hour (Ontario Living Wage Network)
- Minimum wage isn’t a living wage — many employees earning minimum wage still live below the poverty line.
FAQs About Ontario Minimum Wage 2025
What’s the Minimum Wage in Ontario in 2025?
$17.60 per hour (general), effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Do Students in Ontario Get the Same Minimum Wage?
No. Students under 18 working 28 hours/week or less earn $16.60/hour.
Does Minimum Wage Apply to Salaried Employees in Ontario?
Yes. Salaried employees must earn at least the equivalent of minimum wage when dividing salary by hours worked.
Can Ontarians be Fired for Asking About Minimum Wage?
No. If you’re dismissed for asserting your rights, it may qualify as wrongful dismissal or reprisal under the ESA. If you’re terminated after raising pay concerns, speaking with an employment lawyer in Toronto can help determine whether your dismissal was illegal and what compensation you’re owed.
Workplace Issue? Get Help Now
If your employer isn’t following wage laws, you’re often entitled to compensation under Ontario employment law, including severance pay and damages for wrongful dismissal under Ontario law.
We’ve:
- 👥 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
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📞 Call us: 1-855-821-5900 or book a consultation online.
Additional Resources
Learn more about your workplace rights in Ontario, from holidays and vacation to working age rules.
- 📅 Statutory Holidays in Ontario: See upcoming dates and pay entitlements
- 🌴 Vacation Rights: Vacation time and vacation pay explained
- 🧒 Minimum Legal Working Age: Find out when teens can start working
- 💵 Minimum Wage Tools: Compare with Canada-wide minimum wage rates
- 🧾 CPP Payment Dates: Check when your CPP arrives
About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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