What is the Minimum Wage in Canada?

According to the government, the federal minimum wage in Canada this year is CAD 17.30 per hour.
This rate applies to workers in federally regulated industries, such as banks, post offices, and other federal sectors. Each province and territory in Canada has its minimum wage.

Since at GrowPro, we want you to have an unforgettable international experience. In this article we share details about how much you can earn per month with the minimum wage, what types of jobs offer higher pay, and tips to make your money last until the end of the month.

*The salaries are approximate and can vary.

How Much Can You Earn Per Month with the Minimum Wage in Canada?

Canada is known not only for being the second-largest country in the world but also for having one of the top ten highest minimum wages. This means Canada has a strong economy that offers great working conditions, attracting many foreigners who want to earn a good minimum wage.

If you want to be one of them, you should know that the workweek in Canada consists of 40 hours. Therefore, if you work this amount of hours weekly, depending on the province you are in, the minimum amount you can earn per month is around CAD 2,768.

Minimum Wage in Canada 2024 by Province

In case the province you work in has a higher minimum wage, the territorial rate will apply even if you work in a federal company. For more details, check out the following list of minimum wages in Canadian provinces for 2024:

• Ontario: CAD 15.50 (USD 11.00) per hour.
• British Columbia: CAD 16.75 (USD 11.74) per hour.
• Quebec: CAD 15.25 (USD 11.00) per hour.
• Alberta: CAD 15.00 (USD 11.00) per hour.
• Manitoba: CAD 14.15 (USD 10.27) per hour.
• Nova Scotia: CAD 14.50 (USD 10.27) per hour.
• New Brunswick: CAD 14.75 (USD 10.27) per hour.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: CAD 14.50 (USD 10.27) per hour.
• Prince Edward Island: CAD 14.50 (USD 10.27) per hour.
• Saskatchewan: CAD 13.00 (USD 9.54) per hour.

What Types of Jobs Offer the Minimum Wage in Canada?

In Canada, you can find a variety of jobs, especially non-skilled positions where your work experience or level of English is not highly important. These jobs often pay the minimum wage.

Besides, if you are a student looking for a job to support your stay in the country, you will likely find an opportunity in a non-skilled job to work in Canada. To give you an idea, some of these positions include:

Waiter/Waitress

This is one of the most in-demand jobs in Canada. It is ideal because you can practise your English daily and earn good tips. The hospitality and tourism sector is one of the most established in Canada, providing many job opportunities.

Salary: approximately CAD 17 per hour.

Delivery Person

If you are a student and you like adventures outside the office, working as a delivery person in Canada can be fun and it is a chance to explore the city you live in. These jobs usually have flexible hours, making them perfect for balancing studies.

Salary: approximately CAD 20* per hour.

Cleaner

This is one of the quickest jobs you can get in Canada, and it is perfect if you do not have strong English skills or have not been in the country for long.

Salary: approximately CAD 18* per hour.

Receptionist

As you can imagine, this job requires a good level of English. If you have this skill, working as a receptionist can open up many opportunities in this country. However, the hours can be tough, including night shifts.

Salary: approximately CAD 17* per hour.

What Jobs Offer More Than the Minimum Wage?

While it is likely that the minimum wage can cover basic expenses, you might want to save money for travelling to incredible places or to start a professional career.

For this reason, we recommend you to aim for higher pay, by considering qualified jobs. These jobs may require previous experience or certifications that guarantee you knowledge in the position. Here are some examples:

Teacher

Education in Canada is of high-quality, so there are many job openings for the area of education, especially for featured profiles. To work as a teacher, it is paramount that you have the relevant degrees and the required experience depending on the educational centre you wish to work in.

Salary: approximately CAD 27.51 per hour.

Healthcare Professional

The healthcare sector is one of the most established in Canada. That is why they need many qualified professionals such as nurses, doctors, surgeons, and specialists that want to be part of that sector. A course in healthcare professions may help you get one of those jobs.

Salary: approximately CAD 33 to 122 per hour.

Web Developer

STEM careers are in high demand in Canada. So, if you have skills and knowledge in software development, engineering, programming, or IT, you can find a job in the Canadian tech and communications industry.

Salary: approximately CAD 32 per hour.

Business Consultant

If you are passionate about business and finance, there are many consulting and business management job openings in the business landscape of Canada. Specialising in the business sector can help you get one of these jobs.

Salary: approximately CAD 31 per hour.

How to Find a Job in Canada

You must be over 18 years old and have a visa that allows you to work, such as a Student Visa, Working Holiday Visa, or Employer-specific Work Permit.

You also need to get a Social Insurance Number (SIN) and it is advisable to open a local bank account. With these, you can start distributing your resumes!

What to Do if You Are Offered a Job with Less Than the Minimum Wage?

Comparing Canada with other countries, it is rare to encounter job offers with less than the minimum wage.

In any case, our main advice is not to accept these jobs as many other offers meet the minimum wage. Don’t stop searching!

If you are offered such a job, you can contact Canadian authorities. They have protocols to help foreign workers whose rights are violated.

Can You Cover Your Expenses with the Minimum Wage in Canada? Can You Save It?

Good news! The minimum wage in Canada can cover your living expenses. From the experiences of our Growers, we know this salary is enough.

However, whether you can save money or not depends on your lifestyle. Even so, here we tell you which are the main expenses that you will have to pay for in Canada:

• Accommodation: private rooms can be rented from CAD 320 per week.
• Food: groceries can cost between CAD 350* and 500 per month.
• Transportation: a monthly pass costs between CAD 102 and 137.
• Cell phone plan: from CAD 50 per month.

How Much Money Do You Need to Live in Canada?

Considering the information provided, you will need around CAD 1,500 per month to live in Canada. However, this is an estimated amount since the expenses highly depend on your lifestyle.

Study and Work in Canada with GrowPro

You now have no excuses for not finding a job in Canada and having an unforgettable experience! At GrowPro, we are here to help you achieve your dream. Where to start? Well, by exploring our experiences in Canada.

At GrowPro, we offer courses in various fields, from Arts, Design, and Fashion to Hospitality and Tourism. Once you choose a program you like, fill out the form, and wait for a Student Advisor to contact you to plan your trip.

We handle the visa and school registration process and offer workshops in which we’ll give you some tips to search for a job in a successful way. Plus, we host parties, events, barbecues, and give complete support at your destination.

Don’t wait any longer and embark on the adventure! Fill out this form and ask for more information.