The current general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60 per hour for most workers, in effect from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.

Quick Scoop

  • General minimum wage: $17.60/hour (most adult workers, full-time, part-time, casual).
  • Student minimum wage: $16.60/hour (under 18, working 28 hours/week or less during school, or during breaks).
  • Homeworkers (work from home): $19.35/hour.
  • Hunting, fishing & wilderness guides: $88.05/day (<5 hours) or $176.15/day (5+ hours).

These rates are set by the Ontario government and are indexed to inflation, with changes typically announced by April 1 and taking effect on October 1 each year.

What it means right now (2026)

  • As of early 2026 , the legally required minimum for most jobs in Ontario is $17.60/hour , and employers must pay at least this base rate before tips or bonuses.
  • Some categories (students, homeworkers, wilderness guides) have their own special minimum wage rates , which can be higher or slightly lower than the general rate depending on the role.

If your hourly pay (or your salary divided by the hours you actually work) is below the applicable minimum wage , your employer may be breaking Ontario’s Employment Standards Act.

Looking ahead: 2026 changes

  • Using the latest inflation data, several analyses project that Ontario’s general minimum wage could rise to around $18/hour on October 1, 2026 , but this is not officially confirmed yet.
  • The official announcement for the October 2026 rate is expected before April 1, 2026 , when the province publishes the exact new numbers.

Quick FAQ

  1. Does minimum wage apply if I’m salaried or on commission?
    Yes. Your total pay, divided by total hours worked, still has to be at least the minimum wage for your category.
  1. Do tips count toward minimum wage?
    No. Tips belong to the employee and cannot be used to “top up” a wage that is below the legal minimum.
  1. Where can I double-check my rate?
    You can compare your pay to the current provincial table on Ontario-focused legal and government resources that list the 2025–2026 minimum wage rates.

TL;DR: Minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60/hour for most workers right now, with higher and lower special rates for certain categories, and a likely bump toward $18/hour from October 1, 2026, pending official confirmation.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.