Average Salaries in Canada- How Much Can You Earn in 2024

From October 2023, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island implemented changes in average salaries.

British Columbia increased its minimum wage on June 1 this year, while Quebec did so on May 1. On April 1, the federal minimum wage increased to $16.65.

In Canada, the minimum wage is the lowest pay rate established by provincial governments. It is the legal minimum amount a business can pay its employees.

This wage applies universally, regardless of an employee’s age or the hours they work. Paying less than the set minimum is against the law.

Lowest Salaries in Ontario

Ontario’s fresh minimum wage, effective October 1st, will be $16.55 per hour, a $1.05 raise from $15.50 previously.

As of January 1, 2022, Ontario’s minimum wage was $15. It increased to $15.50 on October 1, 2022.

This elevation means that someone working 40 hours a week at minimum wage will see an annual salary boost of over $2,200, according to the Ontario government.

The Ontario Living Wage Network notes that the living wage varies, with many parts of Ontario at $19/hr and over $23/hr in the GTA.

Students under 18, working up to 28 hours weekly during school or on breaks, will also see their hourly wage climb from $14.60 to $15.60.

Home workers, who work for companies from home, will receive an hourly wage increase from $17.05 to $18.20.

The minimum wage for hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides will increase. For less than five continuous hours, it rises from $77.60 to $82.85 per day. For five or more hours, it increases from $155.25 to $165.75 per day.

Labor supporters and opposition opponents argue that Ontario’s minimum wage should be raised to at least $20 per hour.

Manitoba Minimum Salaries for 2023-24

Manitoba’s upcoming minimum wage, effective October 1st, will be $15.30 per hour, a $1.15 increase from the current $14.15 hourly rate.

Previously, on April 1, 2023, Manitoba raised the minimum wage by $0.65, setting it at $14.15 per hour.

In 2023 alone, the province increased the minimum wage by a total of $1.80 per hour, starting at $13.50 and reaching $15.30.

Moving forward, Manitoba will adjust the minimum wage annually based on the provincial Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the next rate change expected on October 1, 2024.

Average Salaries in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is gearing up for its second minimum wage increase in 2023, reaching $15 per hour on October 1, 2023.

Before this, on April 1, 2023, the minimum wage saw an increase to $14.50 per hour, up from $13.60, a $1.40 hike.

Starting from October 1, 2024, the minimum wage rates will undergo annual adjustments based on inflation plus an additional 1%.

Lowest Salaries in Saskatchewan in 2023-24

Saskatchewan is set to raise its minimum wage by $1, going from $13 to $14 per hour, effective from October 1st.

The previous increase occurred on October 1, 2022, when the Saskatchewan government boosted the minimum wage from $11.81 to $13.00 per hour.

There’s another planned increase to $15 per hour on October 1, 2024.

Salaries in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2023-24

Newfoundland and Labrador are set to implement their second minimum wage increase of the year, reaching $15 per hour on October 1.

Earlier in 2023, on April 1, the province raised the minimum wage to $14.50 from $13.70 per hour.

The Minister is currently reviewing the Minimum Pay Review Committee’s recommendations, which suggest increasing minimum wages by inflation plus 1% annually after 2024.

Prince Edward Island Average Salaries in 2023

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is set to raise its minimum wage by 50 cents, going from $14.50 an hour to $15 per hour, starting on October 1, 2023.

In an earlier move, on January 1, 2023, PEI had increased the minimum wage by 80 cents, elevating it to $14.50 per hour from $13.70 an hour.

Average Salaries and Upcoming Increases Across Canadian Provinces

Effective October 1, 2023:

• Ontario: Currently at $15.50, increasing to $16.55
• Manitoba: Currently at $14.15, increasing to $15.30
• Nova Scotia: Currently at $14.50, increasing to $15.00
• Saskatchewan: Currently at $13.00, increasing to $14.00
• Newfoundland & Labrador: Currently at $14.50, increasing to $15.00
• Prince Edward Island: Currently at $14.50, increasing to $15.00

Changes in salaries from April 1, 2024:

• Canada (Federally regulated private sectors): Currently at $16.65, estimated to increase to $17.75
• New Brunswick: Currently at $14.75, estimated to increase to $15.50 (expected)
• Nunavut: Currently at $16.00, awaiting confirmation (TBD)

Salaries in British Columbia From June 1, 2024:

• British Columbia: Currently at $16.75, estimated to increase to $17.75

Quebec Minimum Wage From May 1, 2024:

• Quebec: Currently at $15.25, estimated to increase to $16.25

Effective September 1, 2024:

• Northwest Territories: Currently at $16.05, estimated to increase to $17.00

Effective April 1, 2024:

• Yukon: Currently at $16.77, estimated to increase to $17.50

Notably, Alberta has not announced a specific increase and has maintained the same minimum wage since 2018.