As of June 1, 2026, the minimum wage in BC is $18.25 per hour. This is the legal minimum that most employees in British Columbia must be paid for each hour they work.
The rate increased from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour on June 1, 2026. The same general minimum wage applies across the province, including Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond and Kelowna.
Most full-time, part-time, casual and temporary employees must receive at least minimum wage. The rate generally applies whether you are paid hourly, by salary, commission or another incentive system.
On This Page:
- 1. Current BC Minimum Wage
- 2. BC Minimum Wage History
- 3. Annual, Monthly and Weekly Pay
- 4. Who Must Be Paid Minimum Wage?
- 5. Salary, Commission and Piece-Rate Pay
- 6. Minimum Wage Across BC Cities
- 7. Special Minimum Wage Rates
- 8. Overtime, Tips and Daily Pay
- 9. What to Do If You Are Underpaid
- 10. Minimum Wage FAQs
What Is The Minimum Wage In BC In 2026?
The current minimum wage in British Columbia is $18.25 per hour.
| Date | BC Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| January 1 to May 31, 2026 | $17.85 per hour |
| June 1, 2026 onward | $18.25 per hour |
How Much Did The BC Minimum Wage Increase In 2026?
The BC minimum wage increased by 40 cents per hour on June 1, 2026, rising from $17.85 to $18.25.
For an employee working 40 hours per week, the increase is worth:
- $16 more per week;
- $32 more every two weeks; and
- $832 more per year, assuming 40 hours every week for 52 weeks.
When Will Minimum Wage Go Up Again In BC?
BC minimum wages are adjusted annually based on the province’s Consumer Price Index.
The next annual adjustment date is June 1, 2027. The new 2027 rate has not yet been announced.
If BC inflation is positive, the minimum wage is adjusted by the same percentage. If the Consumer Price Index falls, the minimum wage does not decrease.
BC Minimum Wage History
The minimum wage in BC has increased every year since 2019.
| Effective Date | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| June 1, 2026 | $18.25 per hour |
| June 1, 2025 | $17.85 per hour |
| June 1, 2024 | $17.40 per hour |
| June 1, 2023 | $16.75 per hour |
| June 1, 2022 | $15.65 per hour |
| June 1, 2021 | $15.20 per hour |
| June 1, 2020 | $14.60 per hour |
| June 1, 2019 | $13.85 per hour |
What Was The Minimum Wage In BC In 2025?
The BC minimum wage was $17.85 per hour from June 1, 2025, until May 31, 2026.
What Was The Minimum Wage In BC In 2024?
The BC minimum wage was $17.40 per hour from June 1, 2024, until May 31, 2025.
How Much Is Minimum Wage Per Year, Month And Week In BC?
At the current BC minimum wage of $18.25 per hour, an employee working 40 hours per week would earn approximately:
| Pay Period | Gross Minimum Wage Pay |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $18.25 |
| 8-hour day | $146.00 |
| 40-hour week | $730.00 |
| 80-hour biweekly pay period | $1,460.00 |
| Average month | Approximately $3,163.33 |
| Full year at 40 hours per week | $37,960.00 |
These figures are gross pay before deductions and assume the employee works the stated hours throughout the year.
They do not include:
- overtime pay;
- vacation pay;
- statutory holiday pay;
- tips;
- bonuses; or
- other additional compensation.
What Is The Annual Salary At 37.5 Hours Per Week?
An employee earning $18.25 per hour and working 37.5 hours every week for 52 weeks would earn approximately $35,587.50 per year before deductions.
Who Must Be Paid Minimum Wage In BC?
The general minimum wage applies to most employees in British Columbia.
This can include:
- full-time employees;
- part-time employees;
- casual employees;
- temporary employees;
- students and youth;
- hourly workers;
- salaried employees;
- commission employees; and
- many employees paid through incentives or other pay structures.
Is There A Student Minimum Wage In BC?
No. BC does not have a separate lower minimum wage for students or workers under 18.
A student or young worker who is covered by the general minimum wage rules must receive at least $18.25 per hour.
What Is The Minimum Wage For Servers In BC?
Servers and liquor servers must receive at least the regular BC minimum wage of $18.25 per hour.
There has been no separate lower liquor server wage since June 1, 2021.
Tips and gratuities are paid in addition to minimum wage. An employer can’t use tips to make up the difference between a lower hourly wage and the legal minimum.
What About Federally Regulated Employees In BC?
The federal minimum wage is $18.15 per hour as of April 1, 2026.
However, federally regulated employers must pay the higher provincial or federal rate when the provincial minimum is greater.
Because BC’s rate is currently higher, eligible federally regulated employees working in British Columbia must receive at least $18.25 per hour.
Federally regulated industries can include banks, airlines, telecommunications, postal services and interprovincial transportation.
Does Minimum Wage Apply To Salaried, Commission And Piece-Rate Employees?
Yes, in most cases. An employer can’t necessarily avoid minimum wage rules by using a different method of compensation.
Minimum Wage For Salaried Employees In BC
A salaried employee can still be entitled to minimum wage.
The employee’s pay for the hours worked must meet or exceed the applicable minimum wage.
For example, a salary that looks reasonable on an annual basis may fall below minimum wage if the employee is required to work extremely long hours without additional compensation.
Minimum Wage For Commission Employees In BC
Employees paid by commission must generally still receive at least minimum wage for the hours they work.
If commissions and other eligible wages do not bring an employee up to the required minimum, the employer may have to top up the employee’s pay.
What About Piece-Rate And Incentive Workers?
Most employees paid through an incentive system are still protected by minimum wage rules.
Some farm workers are subject to specific crop-based piece rates instead of the general hourly minimum. The amount depends on the type and quantity of work completed.
Employees must be told the applicable piece rate before starting the work.
What Is The Minimum Wage In Vancouver, Victoria And Other BC Cities?
There is no separate city minimum wage in British Columbia. The same general rate applies across the province.
| Location | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Vancouver | $18.25 per hour |
| Victoria | $18.25 per hour |
| Surrey | $18.25 per hour |
| Burnaby | $18.25 per hour |
| Richmond | $18.25 per hour |
| Kelowna | $18.25 per hour |
Is The Vancouver Living Wage The Same As Minimum Wage?
No. Minimum wage is the legal floor an employer must pay. A living wage is a separate estimate of the income needed to cover basic living costs in a particular community.
An employer is not automatically required to pay a published living-wage rate unless another contract or agreement requires it.
Are There Special Minimum Wage Rates In BC?
Yes. Some specific occupations use different minimum wage structures.
| Worker Category | Minimum Rate As Of June 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| General employees | $18.25 per hour |
| Liquor servers | $18.25 per hour, plus tips |
| Live-in camp leaders | $145.64 per day or part day worked |
| Live-in home support workers | $135.88 per day or part day worked |
| Resident caretakers for 9 to 60 suites | $1,092.10 per month plus $43.75 for each suite |
| Resident caretakers for 61 or more suites | $3,719.96 per month |
| App-based ride-hail and delivery workers | $21.89 per hour of engaged time |
| Certain farm workers | Crop-specific piece rates |
How Does Minimum Wage Work For App-Based Workers?
App-based delivery and ride-hail workers must receive at least $21.89 per hour of engaged time.
Engaged time generally begins when the worker accepts an order or ride request and ends when it is completed or cancelled.
Eligible workers also receive a distance expense allowance during engaged time.
Why Are These Rates Different?
Certain jobs have pay structures that do not fit a standard hourly model. BC employment standards therefore set specific daily, monthly, engaged-time or piece-rate minimums for those categories.
How Do Overtime, Tips And Minimum Daily Pay Work?
Overtime At Minimum Wage
For many employees, overtime is payable after more than eight hours of work in a day or more than 40 hours in a week.
At the current $18.25 minimum wage:
- Time-and-a-half: Approximately $27.38 per hour
- Double time: $36.50 per hour
Different rules can apply to some occupations, managers and employees working under valid averaging agreements.
Do Tips Count Toward Minimum Wage?
No. Tips and gratuities do not allow an employer to pay a lower hourly wage.
A server earning tips must still receive at least the full general minimum wage for hours worked.
What Is Minimum Daily Pay In BC?
An employee who reports for work must generally be paid for at least two hours, even if they work less than two hours.
If the employee was scheduled to work more than eight hours, they must generally be paid for at least four hours.
Exceptions can apply in certain circumstances.
What Should You Do If You Are Paid Less Than Minimum Wage?
If you believe your employer is paying you less than minimum wage, start by checking your actual wages and hours worked.
1. Keep Your Own Records
Save copies of your:
- pay statements;
- work schedules;
- timesheets;
- employment contract;
- commission records; and
- emails or messages about your pay.
2. Calculate Every Hour Worked
Include work your employer requires or allows you to perform, such as:
- opening or closing duties;
- mandatory meetings;
- required training;
- work performed before your scheduled shift; and
- work completed after you were supposed to finish.
3. Ask For An Explanation In Writing
Ask your employer to explain:
- your hourly rate;
- the number of hours recorded;
- how salary or commission pay was calculated; and
- why your total pay may be below the legal minimum.
4. Consider An Employment Standards Complaint
The BC Employment Standards Branch can investigate minimum wage and unpaid wage complaints.
If you still work for the employer, issues can generally be reviewed for up to one year before the complaint is received.
If your employment has ended, you generally have six months from your last day of work to file an Employment Standards complaint.
5. Get Legal Advice If The Problem Becomes More Serious
A straightforward unpaid wage complaint may be handled through the Employment Standards Branch.
However, legal advice can become important if your employer:
- fires you after you raise concerns about your pay;
- cuts your wage or compensation significantly;
- misclassifies you as an independent contractor;
- pressures you to quit;
- refuses to pay a substantial amount of compensation; or
- asks you to sign a release or severance offer.
A significant wage reduction can potentially raise constructive dismissal issues in BC. If your employer ends your job without cause, you may also be entitled to a full severance package.
Minimum Wage BC FAQs
What is the current minimum wage in BC?
The current BC minimum wage is $18.25 per hour as of June 1, 2026.
What was the minimum wage in BC at the start of 2026?
The rate was $17.85 per hour from January 1 to May 31, 2026. It increased to $18.25 on June 1.
Is minimum wage going up again in BC?
BC minimum wages are adjusted annually based on the provincial Consumer Price Index. The next adjustment date is June 1, 2027, but the new rate has not yet been announced.
What is the minimum wage in Vancouver?
The minimum wage in Vancouver is $18.25 per hour. Vancouver does not have a separate general minimum wage from the rest of British Columbia.
What is the minimum wage in Victoria?
The minimum wage in Victoria is $18.25 per hour, the same as the general rate across BC.
Is there a lower student minimum wage in BC?
No. BC does not have a separate lower minimum wage for students or young workers.
What is the minimum wage for servers in BC?
Servers and liquor servers must receive at least $18.25 per hour, plus any tips and gratuities they earn.
Do part-time employees get minimum wage?
Yes. Part-time status does not remove an employee’s right to the applicable minimum wage.
Does minimum wage apply to salaried employees?
Yes, in most cases. A salaried employee’s pay must still meet applicable minimum wage requirements for the hours worked.
Does minimum wage apply to commission employees?
Yes, in most cases. If commission earnings do not bring an employee up to the required minimum wage for hours worked, the employer may have to top up the employee’s pay.
Can an employer pay less during training or probation?
BC does not have a general lower training or probationary minimum wage. An eligible employee must generally receive at least the applicable minimum wage from the start of employment.
Can I agree to work for less than minimum wage?
An employee and employer generally can’t agree to waive minimum employment standards. A written or verbal agreement to pay less does not automatically make the arrangement legal.
Can my employer count tips as part of minimum wage?
No. Tips do not replace the employer’s obligation to pay minimum wage.
Does minimum wage apply if I am paid cash?
Yes. Being paid in cash does not remove minimum wage or other employment standards rights.
What if my employer makes me work before or after my shift without pay?
Required work time should be recorded and paid. Unpaid work before or after a shift can reduce an employee’s effective hourly wage below the legal minimum and may create an unpaid wage claim.
What is the federal minimum wage in BC?
The federal minimum wage is $18.15 per hour as of April 1, 2026. However, federally regulated employers must apply the higher provincial rate when it exceeds the federal minimum. In BC, the higher $18.25 provincial rate currently applies.
Are there jobs with different minimum wage rates?
Yes. Special rates apply to certain live-in camp leaders, live-in home support workers, resident caretakers, online platform workers and some farm workers.
Paid Less Than Minimum Wage In BC?
Your employer must follow BC’s minimum wage and wage-payment rules.
A straightforward unpaid wage issue may be handled through the BC Employment Standards Branch. However, if the dispute involves a termination, retaliation, major pay cut, misclassification or another serious workplace problem, you may need legal advice about additional rights.
If you are a non-unionized employee in British Columbia, the employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can explain your options when a pay 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.