Ontario's minimum wage is $17.60 an hour.
As of October 1, 2025, the general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60 an hour, and it goes up again every October. Most workers are covered, a few jobs have their own rate, and if you're being paid less, you can get it back. Here's how it works.
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In 30 seconds, here's what's true
- Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.60 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2025. It's set to rise to $17.95 on October 1, 2026.
- Most employees are covered, whether you're full-time, part-time, casual, or paid by salary, commission, or piece rate. There's no minimum age or length of service.
- A few jobs have their own rate: students under 18 (working 28 hours a week or less, or on a school break) get $16.60, and homeworkers get $19.35.
- The old lower rate for liquor servers was scrapped in 2022. Servers now get the full general minimum wage.
- If you're paid less than minimum wage, you can file a free claim with the Ministry of Labour, usually going back up to 2 years. Your employer can't punish you for asking.
How the process works
Confirm the rate that applies to you
For almost everyone it's $17.60 an hour right now, and only a few jobs, like students under 18 on limited hours or homeworkers, have a different rate. Tips don't count toward your minimum wage.
Do the math on your pay
Take your total pay for a period and divide by the hours you actually worked, including any training or opening and closing time. If it comes out under the rate, you're being underpaid.
Watch for hidden deductions
Charges for uniforms, tools, or cash shortages can't drop your pay below minimum wage. Room and board can only be counted at set, limited amounts.
Raise it with your employer
Sometimes it's a payroll mistake. Put it in writing: the hours you worked, what you were paid, and what you think you're owed. Keep a copy.
File a claim if it's not fixed
You can file an Employment Standards claim with the Ministry of Labour for free. They can usually recover wages from the past 2 years, and there are rules against your employer punishing you for filing.
What to do next
- Confirm your correct minimum wage rate ($17.60 for most jobs).
- Track every hour you actually work, including training and prep time.
- Divide your pay by your hours to find your real hourly rate.
- Check that deductions aren't dropping you below minimum wage.
- Remember tips don't count toward minimum wage.
- Put any shortfall to your employer in writing.
- Keep your pay stubs, schedules, and hours.
- File a free Ministry of Labour claim if it isn't fixed.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Students and part-timers don't get minimum wage. | They do. Part-time and casual staff get at least minimum wage. Students under 18 on limited hours have a slightly lower student rate, but it's still a set minimum. |
| My tips make up for being paid under minimum wage. | No. Tips don't count toward minimum wage. Your hourly pay has to hit the minimum on its own, and servers now get the full general rate. |
| My boss can charge me for my uniform out of my wages. | Not if it drops you below minimum wage. Costs like uniforms, tools, or till shortages can't push your pay under the legal minimum. |
| I agreed to the lower pay, so it's allowed. | You can't agree to less than minimum wage. That right can't be signed away, even if you said yes. |
| Minimum wage is the same every year. | No, it goes up every October 1, tied to inflation, which is why it rose to $17.60 in 2025 and is already set to reach $17.95 in 2026. |
| Only hourly workers get minimum wage. | No. If you're on salary, commission, or piece rate, your pay still has to work out to at least minimum wage for your hours. |
| If I complain, they can just fire me. | The law bans punishing you for asking your employer to follow the rules. If they retaliate, that's a separate violation you can claim. |
| It's too late to claim old unpaid wages. | You usually have a 2-year window. A free Ministry of Labour claim can recover wages from that period. |
Last reviewed July 2026
Written and reviewed by the founder of PLAIN, checked against primary government and legal sources. How we research these guides
Sources
PLAIN gives legal information, not legal advice. It is not a substitute for a lawyer or paralegal — and we'll point you to free ones. Laws change; we review these pages regularly, but always confirm current rules with the Ministry of Labour or a licensed professional.
Free. No payment to start. This is information, not legal advice.