The current minimum wage in Ontario is $17.95 per hour. This rate took effect on October 1, 2026 and applies to most employees across the province.
The general minimum wage applies to most full-time, part-time and casual workers. Different minimum rates apply to some students, homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides.
This guide explains Ontario’s current minimum wage, student wages, annual salary calculations, server and gig-worker rules, previous minimum wage rates and what to do if your employer pays you less than the legal minimum.
On This Page:
- 1. Current Ontario Minimum Wage
- 2. Ontario Minimum Wage Increase
- 3. Student Minimum Wage
- 4. Special and Server Minimum Wages
- 5. Annual, Monthly and Weekly Pay
- 6. Salary, Commission and Other Pay
- 7. Minimum Wage by Ontario City
- 8. Overtime, Tips and the Three-Hour Rule
- 9. What to Do if You Are Underpaid
- 10. Minimum Wage FAQs
What Is The Minimum Wage In Ontario Right Now?
The current general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.95 per hour.
The rate took effect on October 1, 2026 and remains in place until September 30, 2027.
| Date | Ontario Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027 | $17.95 per hour |
| October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026 | $17.60 per hour |
Who Gets The $17.95 Minimum Wage?
The general rate applies to most employees covered by Ontario’s Employment Standards Act.
This can include:
- full-time employees;
- part-time employees;
- casual employees;
- temporary employees;
- adult workers;
- most employees paid by salary;
- most commission employees; and
- servers and other tipped employees.
When Did Minimum Wage Increase In Ontario?
Ontario’s general minimum wage increased from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour on October 1, 2026.
That was an increase of 35 cents per hour.
For an employee working 40 hours every week, the increase is worth approximately:
- $14 more per week;
- $28 more every two weeks; and
- $728 more per year, assuming 40 hours of work every week for 52 weeks.
Why Did Ontario Minimum Wage Increase?
Ontario’s minimum wage is generally adjusted each year based on inflation using the Ontario Consumer Price Index.
When the rate changes, the new minimum wage is published on or before April 1 and takes effect on October 1.
When Is The Next Ontario Minimum Wage Increase?
The next scheduled annual adjustment date is October 1, 2027.
The Ontario government generally announces the new rate by April 1 before it takes effect.
What If A Pay Period Included October 1, 2026?
If a pay period covered dates both before and after October 1, 2026, different minimum wage rates applied depending on when the work was performed.
- Hours worked before October 1, 2026 were subject to the $17.60 rate.
- Hours worked on or after October 1, 2026 are subject to the $17.95 rate.
Ontario Minimum Wage History
| Effective Date | General Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | $17.95 per hour |
| October 1, 2025 | $17.60 per hour |
| October 1, 2024 | $17.20 per hour |
| October 1, 2023 | $16.55 per hour |
| October 1, 2022 | $15.50 per hour |
| January 1, 2022 | $15.00 per hour |
| October 1, 2021 | $14.35 per hour |
| October 1, 2020 | $14.25 per hour |
What Is The Student Minimum Wage In Ontario?
The current student minimum wage in Ontario is $16.90 per hour.
This rate took effect on October 1, 2026.
| Date | Student Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027 | $16.90 per hour |
| October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026 | $16.60 per hour |
Who Qualifies For The Student Minimum Wage?
The student minimum wage applies to students who are under 18 and who:
- work 28 hours per week or less while school is in session; or
- work during a school holiday, including summer, Christmas break or March break.
What If A Student Works More Than 28 Hours A Week?
A student under 18 who works more than 28 hours in a week while school is in session must generally receive the regular minimum wage rather than the lower student rate.
What If I Am 18 Or Older?
The student minimum wage does not apply simply because someone attends school, college or university.
A student who is 18 or older must generally receive at least the regular minimum wage of $17.95 per hour.
Can A Student Be Paid Less During Training?
There is no general lower training wage in Ontario.
Training that an employer requires as part of the job is generally work time and must be paid at the applicable minimum wage.
Are There Different Minimum Wage Rates In Ontario?
Yes. Ontario has special minimum wage rates for certain types of workers.
| Worker | Current Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| General employees | $17.95/hour |
| Eligible students under 18 | $16.90/hour |
| Homeworkers | $19.70/hour |
| Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides working less than 5 consecutive hours | $89.75/day |
| Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides working 5 hours or more | $179.50/day |
What Is The Minimum Wage For Servers In Ontario?
Servers in Ontario must receive the full general minimum wage.
As of October 1, 2026, that means at least $17.95 per hour.
Ontario no longer has a lower liquor-server minimum wage.
Tips are paid in addition to minimum wage and can’t be used to make up the difference between a lower wage and the legal minimum.
What Is The Minimum Wage For Homeworkers?
A homeworker is an employee who performs paid work from their own home for an employer.
The current homeworker minimum wage is $19.70 per hour.
The homeworker rate is higher than the regular minimum wage. Students of any age who qualify as homeworkers must also receive the homeworker minimum wage.
What Is The Minimum Wage For Uber, Uber Eats And Other Gig Workers?
Workers on covered digital platforms have separate rights under Ontario’s Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act.
Covered workers must receive at least the applicable general minimum wage for time spent performing work assignments.
A work assignment generally begins when the worker accepts it and ends when the assignment is completed or cancelled. Time spent waiting between accepted assignments may not count toward the minimum wage calculation.
Tips and gratuities can’t be counted toward the minimum wage.
How Much Is Ontario Minimum Wage Per Year, Month And Week?
At the current Ontario minimum wage of $17.95 per hour, an employee working 40 hours every week would earn approximately:
| Pay Period | At $17.95 Per Hour |
|---|---|
| 8-hour day | $143.60 |
| 40-hour week | $718.00 |
| 80-hour biweekly pay period | $1,436.00 |
| Average month | Approximately $3,111.33 |
| Full year at 40 hours per week | $37,336.00 |
These are gross earnings before deductions and assume the employee works the listed hours throughout the year.
The figures do not include:
- overtime pay;
- vacation pay;
- public holiday pay;
- tips;
- bonuses; or
- other additional compensation.
What Is The Annual Salary At 37.5 Hours Per Week?
An employee earning $17.95 per hour and working 37.5 hours per week for 52 weeks would earn approximately $35,002.50 per year before deductions.
How Much Is Minimum Wage After Tax In Ontario?
There is no single after-tax amount for every minimum wage employee.
Take-home pay depends on factors including:
- hours worked;
- total annual income;
- income tax deductions;
- CPP contributions;
- EI premiums; and
- personal tax credits and other deductions.
The salary figures on this page are gross amounts before payroll deductions.
Does Minimum Wage Apply To Salaried And Commission Employees?
Yes, in most cases. An employer can’t avoid minimum wage requirements simply by changing how an employee is paid.
Minimum Wage For Salaried Employees In Ontario
A salaried employee can still be protected by minimum wage laws.
An employee’s pay for the hours worked must generally meet or exceed the applicable minimum wage.
This means a salary that appears reasonable on an annual basis could create a problem if an employee is required to work so many hours that their effective hourly pay falls below the legal minimum.
Minimum Wage For Commission Employees In Ontario
Employees paid wholly or partly by commission are generally still entitled to minimum wage.
An employer must generally ensure the employee’s compensation meets minimum wage requirements for the applicable pay period.
Do Part-Time Employees Get Minimum Wage?
Yes. A part-time employee is generally entitled to the same applicable minimum wage as a full-time employee.
Does Minimum Wage Apply During Probation?
Yes. Ontario does not have a general lower probationary minimum wage.
An employee must generally receive the applicable minimum wage from the start of employment.
Can An Employer Pay Cash Below Minimum Wage?
No. Being paid in cash does not remove minimum wage or other employment standards rights.
What Is The Minimum Wage In Toronto, London And Other Ontario Cities?
Ontario cities do not have separate general minimum wage rates. The provincial minimum wage applies across Ontario.
| Location | Current Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Toronto | $17.95 per hour |
| London | $17.95 per hour |
| Ottawa | $17.95 per hour |
| Mississauga | $17.95 per hour |
| Brampton | $17.95 per hour |
| Hamilton | $17.95 per hour |
How Do Overtime, Tips And The Three-Hour Rule Work?
What Is Overtime Pay At Minimum Wage In Ontario?
Most employees become entitled to overtime pay in Ontario after working more than 44 hours in a work week.
Overtime is generally paid at 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate.
For an employee earning the current minimum wage of $17.95 per hour, the overtime rate is approximately $26.93 per hour.
Some jobs have special overtime rules or exemptions.
Do Tips Count Toward Minimum Wage?
No. Tips and gratuities do not count as wages when determining whether an employer has paid minimum wage.
A server must receive the full applicable minimum wage before tips are added.
What Is The Three-Hour Rule In Ontario?
An employee who regularly works more than three hours per day may be entitled to at least three hours of pay if:
- they report for work as required; and
- the employer provides less than three hours of work.
Exceptions can apply.
Do I Have To Be Paid For Work Before Or After My Shift?
Time spent performing work that an employer requires or allows can generally count as working time.
This can include:
- opening duties;
- closing duties;
- mandatory meetings;
- required training;
- answering required work messages; and
- work completed from home after a scheduled shift.
What Should You Do If You Are Paid Less Than Minimum Wage?
If you believe your employer is paying less than minimum wage, start by gathering evidence.
1. Keep Your Pay Records
Save copies of your:
- pay statements;
- work schedules;
- timesheets;
- employment contract;
- commission statements; and
- messages about your hours and pay.
2. Record Every Hour You Work
Keep your own record of when you:
- start work;
- finish work;
- attend mandatory meetings or training;
- perform work before or after your scheduled shift; and
- complete required work from home.
3. Ask Your Employer For An Explanation
Ask your employer to explain in writing:
- your wage rate;
- the number of hours recorded;
- how your salary or commissions were calculated; and
- why your total compensation may fall below minimum wage.
4. Consider An Employment Standards Claim
The Ontario Ministry of Labour can investigate complaints involving unpaid minimum wages and other Employment Standards Act violations.
A claim generally must be filed within two years of the alleged violation.
5. Get Legal Advice If The Problem Becomes More Serious
A straightforward unpaid wage complaint may be handled through the Ministry of Labour.
However, legal advice can become important if your employer:
- fires you after you complain about your pay;
- cuts your wages significantly;
- claims you are an independent contractor when you may actually be an employee;
- pressures you to resign;
- refuses to pay substantial compensation; or
- asks you to sign a release or severance offer.
A significant reduction in pay can potentially amount to constructive dismissal in Ontario.
If your employer ends your employment without cause, you may also be entitled to a full severance package in Ontario.
Minimum Wage Ontario FAQs
What is the current minimum wage in Ontario?
The current Ontario minimum wage is $17.95 per hour. The rate took effect on October 1, 2026 and remains in effect until September 30, 2027.
What is the minimum wage in Ontario in 2026?
Ontario had two general minimum wage rates in 2026. The rate was $17.60 per hour from January 1 to September 30, 2026, and increased to $17.95 per hour on October 1, 2026.
When is minimum wage going up in Ontario again?
The next scheduled Ontario minimum wage adjustment is October 1, 2027. The province generally announces the new rate by April 1.
What is the student minimum wage in Ontario?
The current student minimum wage is $16.90 per hour. The rate applies to eligible students under 18 who meet Ontario’s requirements.
What is minimum wage for someone under 18 in Ontario?
An eligible student under 18 can be paid the student minimum wage of $16.90 per hour. Other workers under 18 may be entitled to the regular general minimum wage.
What is the minimum wage for servers in Ontario?
Servers must receive the general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour. Tips are paid in addition to the hourly wage.
What is the minimum wage in Toronto?
The minimum wage in Toronto is the same as the Ontario provincial rate: $17.95 per hour.
What is the minimum wage in London, Ontario?
The minimum wage in London, Ontario is $17.95 per hour. London does not have a separate general city minimum wage.
Do part-time employees get minimum wage?
Yes. Part-time employees are generally entitled to the same applicable minimum wage as full-time employees.
Can my employer pay me less during probation?
Ontario does not have a general lower probationary minimum wage. Most employees must receive the applicable minimum wage from the start of employment.
Can my employer pay less for training?
Required job training is generally considered work and must be paid at the applicable minimum wage.
Does minimum wage apply to salaried employees?
Yes, in most cases. Paying someone a salary does not automatically remove minimum wage protections.
Does minimum wage apply to commission employees?
Yes, in most cases. An employer generally must ensure that an employee’s compensation meets applicable minimum wage requirements.
Can my employer count tips toward minimum wage?
No. Tips and gratuities do not replace an employer’s obligation to pay the applicable minimum wage.
Can I agree to work for less than minimum wage?
Employees and employers generally can’t agree to waive minimum Employment Standards Act rights. An agreement to accept less does not automatically make the arrangement legal.
What is minimum wage in Ontario per year?
At 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, Ontario’s current $17.95 minimum wage equals approximately $37,336 in gross annual pay before deductions.
What is Ontario minimum wage after tax?
There is no single after-tax amount. Take-home pay depends on total earnings, hours worked, income tax, CPP, EI and personal tax circumstances.
What is the minimum wage for Uber and Uber Eats workers?
Covered digital platform workers must receive at least the applicable Ontario general minimum wage for work assignments. Different rules apply to how working time and assignments are calculated.
What happens if my employer pays less than minimum wage?
Keep records of your hours and pay. You may be able to file a claim with the Ontario Ministry of Labour. If the issue is connected to retaliation, a major pay cut or termination, get legal advice about additional rights.
Paid Less Than Minimum Wage In Ontario?
Your employer must follow Ontario’s minimum wage and wage-payment rules.
A straightforward unpaid wage dispute may be handled through the Ministry of Labour. However, if the issue involves termination, retaliation, a major pay cut, employee misclassification or another serious workplace problem, you may have additional legal rights.
If you are a non-unionized employee in Ontario, the employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can explain your options when a wage dispute becomes part of a larger employment law issue.
Contact us before you resign, sign a severance offer or give up compensation you may be owed.