Minimum Wage by Province for Student Workers in 2026
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Aug 19, 2026 • Money & Budgeting, Canadian Universities & Colleges
Minimum wage for 2026 ranges from $15.00 an hour in Alberta to $19.75 an hour in Nunavut, and several provinces raise their rate again in fall 2026.
💵 Federally regulated jobs pay $18.15 an hour from April 1, 2026
Ontario and Alberta keep a lower sub-minimum wage for workers under 18
Quebec pays a separate, lower rate to workers who regularly receive tips
Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Ontario all raise their rate again between September and October 2026
Minimum wage by province and territory in 2026
Every province and territory sets its own minimum wage, and most adjust the rate once a year on a fixed date tied to inflation. The table below lists the general rate in effect through 2026 and the date it took effect.
| Jurisdiction | General rate | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (federally regulated employers) | $18.15/hr | April 1, 2026 |
| Alberta | $15.00/hr | October 1, 2018 |
| British Columbia | $18.25/hr | June 1, 2026 |
| Manitoba | $16.00/hr | October 1, 2025 |
| New Brunswick | $15.90/hr | April 1, 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35/hr | April 1, 2026 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.75/hr | April 1, 2026 |
| Ontario | $17.60/hr | October 1, 2025 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.00/hr | April 1, 2026 |
| Quebec | $16.60/hr | May 1, 2026 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35/hr | October 1, 2025 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.95/hr | September 1, 2025 |
| Nunavut | $19.75/hr | September 1, 2025 |
| Yukon | $18.51/hr | April 1, 2026 |
Lower rates that still apply to some students
Ontario pays a student minimum wage of $16.60 an hour, below its $17.60 general rate, to workers under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less during the school term or who work during a school break, according to Ontario's Ministry of Labour . Alberta keeps a separate rate of $13.00 an hour for workers under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less while school is in session, against its $15.00 general minimum. Quebec pays employees who regularly receive tips a gratuity rate of $13.30 an hour, below its $16.60 general rate.
Rates changing again later in 2026
- Manitoba rises from $16.00 to $16.40 on October 1, 2026.
- Nova Scotia rises from $16.75 to $17.00 on October 1, 2026.
- Saskatchewan rises from $15.35 to $15.70 on October 1, 2026.
- The Northwest Territories rises from $16.95 to $17.20 on September 1, 2026.
- Nunavut rises from $19.75 to $20.17 on September 1, 2026.
- Ontario rises from $17.60 to $17.95 (student rate $16.60 to $16.90) on October 1, 2026.
Why rates differ so much by province
Most provinces index their minimum wage to their own inflation measure and update it once a year on a set date, which is why Ontario moves every October and Quebec every May. Alberta stands out for holding its rate at $15.00 an hour since October 2018, with no indexing formula forcing a yearly increase.
What this means for your paycheque
Your minimum wage depends on the province where you physically work, not your home province or your school's province if the two differ. A student who studies in one province but takes a remote or summer job registered in another gets paid at the rate for wherever the work happens. Check your pay stub against the table above for your specific work location, and ask your employer directly if a lower student or training rate applies to your hours.