On October 1st the Ontario minimum wage will increase to $17.20 per hour. This brings Ontario’s minimum wage to the second highest in Canada. These increases are tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index for 2024.
| Minimum Wage Rate | Rates from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 | Rates from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 |
| General Minimum Wage | $17.20 per hour | $16.55 per hour |
| Student Minimum Wage | $16.20 per hour | $15.60 per hour |
Liquor servers are paid the same as the general minimum wage. The student minimum wage rate applies to students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session or work during a school break or summer holidays.
If a change to the minimum wage happens partway through an employee’s pay period there are two options:
- The pay period will be treated as though it is two separate pay periods to calculate gross wages. The employee will be eligible for at least the minimum wage in each period.
- You can pay the employee the new (higher) minimum wage for the entire pay period.
For more information on the minimum wage please visit Ontario Minimum Wage.
