Ontario Minimum Wage: Current Rates and What You Are Owed
Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.60 an hour as of October 1, 2025, rising to $17.95 on October 1, 2026. Here are the current rates and the rules behind them.
Key takeaways
- The general minimum wage is $17.60/hour (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026).
- It rises to $17.95/hour on October 1, 2026, tied to inflation.
- The student rate is $16.60/hour, rising to $16.90 on October 1, 2026.
- The rate is reviewed annually and adjusted to the Consumer Price Index.
- Minimum wage is a floor you cannot agree to work below.
In this article
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate your employer is allowed to pay you in Ontario, and it changes almost every year. Knowing the current number matters, because you cannot legally agree to work for less, and unpaid wages below the minimum are money your employer owes you. Here are the current rates and the rules around them.
✅Quick answer. As of October 1, 2025, Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.60 per hour. It is scheduled to rise to $17.95 per hour on October 1, 2026. There are a few special categories, such as a lower student rate and a higher homeworker rate, and the general rate is reviewed every year and adjusted to inflation each October 1. Minimum wage is a legal floor: you cannot agree to be paid less, and your employer cannot use deductions to push you below it.
Current and upcoming minimum wage rates
These are the rates for the current period and the increase already scheduled for October 1, 2026:
| Category | From Oct 1, 2025 | From Oct 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum wage | $17.60 / hour | $17.95 / hour |
| Student minimum wage | $16.60 / hour | $16.90 / hour |
| Homeworker minimum wage | $19.35 / hour | $19.70 / hour |
| Hunting/fishing/wilderness guide (under 5 hrs/day) | $88.05 | $89.75 |
| Hunting/fishing/wilderness guide (5+ hrs/day) | $176.15 | $179.50 |
Who the special rates apply to
- Student rate: applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less while school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays.
- Homeworker rate: applies to employees who do paid work in their own home for an employer, and is set higher than the general rate.
- Guides: hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides are paid a daily rate rather than hourly, as shown above.
- Servers: there is no longer a separate lower rate for liquor servers; they are paid the general minimum wage.
Why the rate keeps changing
Ontario ties the minimum wage to inflation. Each year the general rate is adjusted on October 1 based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index, which is why it tends to rise a little each fall. Because the figure changes annually, it is always worth confirming the current rate rather than relying on an old number. The rates above reflect the schedule as of the date this article was updated.
What if you are being paid less than minimum wage?
- 1.Work out your true hourly rate, including any unpaid time or improper deductions that push you below the minimum.
- 2.Remember that minimum wage is a floor you cannot waive, even if you agreed to a lower rate.
- 3.Raise it with your employer, since some shortfalls are payroll errors.
- 4.If it continues, it is an ESA matter you can pursue with the Ministry of Labour.
Minimum wage works alongside your other pay rights, like overtime after 44 hours, public holiday pay, and the three-hour rule for being sent home early. If your pay is being cut or withheld, see can your employer cut your pay and severance pay in Ontario.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Ontario right now?
As of October 1, 2025, the general minimum wage is $17.60 per hour. It is scheduled to rise to $17.95 per hour on October 1, 2026. Because it is reviewed annually, it is worth confirming the current figure.
What is the student minimum wage in Ontario?
The student rate is $16.60 per hour as of October 1, 2025, rising to $16.90 on October 1, 2026. It applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less while school is in session, or during school breaks.
Can I agree to work for less than minimum wage?
No. Minimum wage is a legal floor. You cannot waive it, and your employer cannot use deductions to pay you below it, even if you agreed to a lower rate.
Why does the minimum wage change every year?
Ontario adjusts the general minimum wage each October 1 based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index, so it rises with inflation. That is why the rate usually increases a little each fall.
Priya Sharma
Legal Writer, Mirza Law
Priya Sharma is a legal writer at Mirza Law in Toronto. She writes about wrongful dismissal, workplace rights, and what Ontario employees can do when they are treated unfairly.
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