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Minimum Wage in Ontario – How Much Can You Make?

Learn more about Minimum Wage in Ontario and Its impact on its Residents.

Minimum wage is a term that is heard quite often in the media and in political conversations. What, though, is minimum wage? And how is it determined? In this blog post, we will take a closer look at minimum wage in Ontario – what it is and how it has been changing over the years.​

Notwithstanding the ageing population of Ontario, its work force still keeps growing, what this means is that, quite often, young Canadians continue to join the workforce.

However, regardless of Ontario being a socialized society with good education system, many young workers enter the workforce with little or no information as regards their rights and responsibilities.

Therefore, a very important piece of knowledge, which can prevent young workers from being taken advantage of, is the legal minimum wage in Ontario.

What Is A Minimum Wage?

The minimum wage is the lowest wage an employer can pay an employee. This notwithstanding whether they are full-time, part-time, casual employees, paid on hourly rate, commission, piece rate, flat rate or salary.

Presently, there is a federal minimum wage, which regulates the least amount a worker can be paid for an hour at minimum.

Although, there are some exceptions to the rule, this applies regardless, to all forms of payment including commission, flat rate, hourly, and salary.

However, because of economic differences between the provinces, the minimum wage rate changes whenever you cross from one province to another. In Ontario, the current minimum wage is C$15/hour – but it is set to increase to $15.5 per hour starting October 2022.

Student Minimum Wage in Ontario

Domestic or International Students that are below 18 years of age and work for less than 28 hours in a week will earn a minimum wage of C$14.10/hour. The students’ rate will increase by $0.50 per hour starting October this year. This minimum wage rate applies without condition on whether the student is working during break or while on holiday.

Liquor Servers Minimum Wage in Ontario

In other to make up for tips offered to liquor servers, the minimum wage of this trade is placed at C$12.45/hour. Likewise, every other minimum wage rates, it increased recently by C$0.25.

Because, this is significantly below the standard minimum wage, it is therefore, important that you know your NOC code (National Occupation Classification code).

Although, every other types of foodservice jobs are categorized under similar NOC codes, bartenders are however, classed under rule 6512 meanwhile, regular waiters falls under 6513. Knowing and understanding this difference can mean a difference of more than a dollar per hour.

Commission Wage in Ontario

The commission rate is different from the hourly rate, a good example of commission rate workers are salespeople. Meanwhile, a common phrase used in the industry reads “minimum wage against commission”. This basically, means you must be paid at least the minimum wage corresponding for your time.

Nevertheless, if your commission is more than the minimum wage the employer only has to pay you the commission sum. Consequently, it’s either a this-or-that situation.

3-Hour Rule

An understanding of this rule will be the reason that ensures you get the largest pay cheque possible. Therefore, this rule applies to staffs who often work above three hours in a shift.

In addition, if workers are to work for lesser than three hours, they are entitled to be paid for a full three hours. Two payment methods are possible here and the worker is entitled to the higher of the two:

  1. Regular pay rate: This means the worker is paid for the full three hours (whether they worked only ten minutes or just under three hours).
  2. Rate plus tips: If the employee is in the service industry, they are entitled to any earned tips in addition to the full three hours’ pay.

Average Salary in Ontario

The average salary for jobs in Ontario, Canada is C$67,952 per year or an hourly rate of C$33.

Open Table to see Ontario Salaries by Job

Job Title

Range Average
Software Developer C$50k – C$92k

C$69,398

Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General)

C$51k – C$105k C$75,811
Operations Manager C$46k – C$102k

C$69,703

Software Engineer

C$58k – C$103k

C$79,229

Administrative Assistant

C$32k – C$54k

C$41,141

Executive Assistant

C$41k – C$72k C$56,243
Law Clerk C$35k – C$70k

C$49,348

View Jobs in Ontario Canada

Teacher Salary in Ontario

Firstly, the position of entry-level High School Teacher having less than 1 year work experience usually earn a minimum total compensation which includes; tips, bonuses, and overtime of C$50,655.

Secondly, an early career High School Teacher who has between 1- 4 years of work experience will earn a minimum total compensation of C$52,142.

Thirdly, a mid-career High School Teacher with 5 – 9 years of work experience is expected to earn a minimum total compensation of C$62,628 based on estimations from the median of 55 salaries.

Fourthly, an experienced High School Teacher who has 10-19 years of work experience will earn a minimum total compensation of C$77,782 based on median estimations of 60 salaries.

Lastly, late career High School Teachers with 20 years and above work experience, will earn a minimum total compensation of C$86,454.

  • Base Salary: C$40k – C$98k
  • Bonus: C$6 – C$15k
  • Total Pay: C$41k – C$98k

 Welder Minimum Wage in Ontario

The average annual earning for a Union Welder in Ontario as of Oct 11, 2021 is $47,999 a year. Consequently, this approximates to C$23.08/hour, and likewise, equivalent to C$923/week or C$4,000/month.

Therefore, by estimation the minimum salary range for a Union Welder varies very much to as much as C$17,50o. Thus, suggesting that there may be more opportunities for advancement and increased minimum wage in Ontario depending on skill level, location and years of work experience.

Welder Levels and Minimum Wage in Ontario

Consequently, an early or entry level career Welder with 1-4 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation, which includes; tips, bonuses, and overtime up to C$20.20.

In addition, a mid-career level Welder who has 5-9 years of work experience earns a minimum wage in Ontario, a total compensation of C$23.87.

Furthermore, a well experienced Welder having 10-19 years of work experience will be earning a minimum wage total compensation of C$24.49 based the median estimation from 17 salaries.

Finally, in their late career, welding employee with 20 years and above, work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$25/hour.

Average Occupational Therapist Salary in Ontario

The entry-level Occupational Therapist (OT) who’s got less than 1 year of work experience can expect to be paid a minimum wage total compensation, which will include tips, bonuses, and overtime C$50,565 per annum.

Meanwhile, an early career Occupational Therapist (OT) who has 1-4 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$60,899.

In addition, a mid-career Occupational Therapist (OT) with 5-9 years of work experience will be paid a minimum wage in Ontario, a total compensation of C$62,897.

Furthermore, an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT) having between 10-19 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$57,391 based on median estimation from 8 salaries.

Finally, late career OT employees with 20 years and above work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$70,000 per year.

  • Base Salary: C$45k – C$80k
  • Bonus: C$200 – C$3k
  • Total Pay: C$48k – C$103k

 Civil Engineer Salary in Ontario

Firstly, for an entry-level Civil Engineer who only has 1 year or less of work experience will expect to earn a minimum wage total compensation, this including tips, bonuses, and overtime of C$54,604.

Secondly, an early career level Civil Engineer with 1-4 years of work experience can earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$61,641, this estimation gotten from the median of 138 salaries.

Thirdly, a mid-career level Civil Engineer with 5-9 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$74,268.

Fourthly, an experienced Civil Engineer who holds 10-19 years of work experience earns a minimum wage in Ontario, a total compensation of C$84,083.

Finally, late career level civil engineers with 20 years and above, will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$90,000/year.

  • Base Salary: C$48k – C$99k
  • Bonus: C$967 – C$10k
  • Profit Sharing: C$979 – C$51k
  • Total Pay: C$45k – C$102k

 Mechanical Engineer Salary in Ontario

The entry-level Mechanical Engineer who has less than 1 year of work experience will expect to earn a minimum total compensation, including tips, bonuses, and overtime to the tune of C$56,705.

Meanwhile, an early career level Mechanical Engineer with 1-4 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$63,140

In addition, a mid-career level Mechanical Engineer who has 5-9 years of work experience earns a minimum wage total compensation of C$76,326 from median estimation of 114 salaries.

Likewise, an experienced level Mechanical Engineer with 10-19 years of work experience will be earning on a minimum wage total compensation of C$81,333.

Furthermore, late career mechanical engineers with 20 years and above will earn a minimum wage in Ontario, a total compensation of C$92,432.

  • Base Salary: C$49k – C$89k
  • Bonus: C$511 – C$8k
  • Profit Sharing: C$206 – C$8k
  • Total Pay: C$46k – C$91k

 X-ray Technician Minimum Wage in Ontario

As of 11, Oct, 2021, annual average salary for an X- Ray Technician in Ontario placed at C$42,073/year. As a result, the minimum hourly wage approximates to C$20.23/hour. This is likewise, equivalent to C$809/week and C$3,506/month.

Consequently, an entry level radiology technician or x-ray technician with 1-3 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage of C$51,376 in salary per year. Meanwhile, a senior level x-ray technician of 8+ years of work experience earns an average minimum wage of C$86, 464 /annum.

Certified Public Accountant Minimum Wage in Ontario

An entry level Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Ontario with 1 year or less of work experience can expect to earn a minimum wage total compensation, this including tips, bonuses, and overtime up to C$50,565.

Whereas, an early career level Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who has 1-4 years of work experience will earn a minimum total compensation of C$59,999 per year.

In addition, a mid-career level Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with 5-9 years of work experience will earns on average, a minimum wage total compensation of C$74,497 per year.

Furthermore, an experienced level Certified Public Accountant (CPA) holding 10-19 years of work experience will earn a minimum wage total compensation of C$90,000.

Lastly, late career CPA employees with 20 years and above work experience will earn a minimum total compensation of C$90,000/ year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 10 best jobs in Ontario, Canada?

  • Nurse Practitioner: C$104,000/year
  • Dentist: C$93,600/year
  • Utilities Manager: C$114,000/year
  • Power Systems Electrician: C$86,000/year
  • Mining and Quarrying Supervisor: C$83,000/year
  • Pipefitting Supervisor: C$81,000/year
  • Engineering Manager: C$106,000/year
  • Scientific Research Manager: C$102,000/year
  • Public Administration Director: C$110,000/year
  • Construction Manager: C$83,000/year

What are the most in-demand jobs in Ontario up to 2025?

  • Registered Nurse
  • Retail Sales Associate
  • Health Care Aide
  • Customer Service Representative
  • Truck Driver
  • Teacher or Trainer
  • Statistician
  • Wind Turbine Service Technician
What is the minimum hourly wage in Ontario?

As of September 30, 2022, the minimum wage in Ontario is $15.00 per hour. This will increase to $15.5.00 per hour on October 1, 2022. Also minimum wage in Ontario will increase for students under 18 from $14.10 to $14.60 per hour.

What is the 3 hour rule in Ontario?

The employee must still be paid for 3 hours at minimum even if he or she only has to come into work a few hours on a given day.

What breaks are you entitled to on a 8 hour shift in Canada?

According to the Canadian labour laws, every employee is entitled to a 30-minute break after every 5 hours of work. So, if you are working an 8-hour shift, you would be entitled to two breaks. These breaks can be taken either as two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

In Canada, how many hours can you legally work in a week?

Answer: Most people are limited to work 48 hours per week. Some provinces have a overtime rate of 1.5x for hours worked in excess of the standard limit.

In Canada, the general rule is that an employee cannot work more than 48 hours per week on average. This includes both regular hours and overtime hours. The overtime rate is 1.5x the regular hourly rate for any time worked in excess of the standard limit.

Some provinces have a different overtime rate, or may have additional restrictions on how many hours an employee can work in a day or week. Employers must also comply with these provincial regulations if they differ from the federal rules.