Ontario Minimum Wage Guide 2025
Ontario's minimum wage is set under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). As of October 1, 2024, the general minimum wage is $17.20 per hour. Understanding which rate applies to you — and what to do if you are being underpaid — is essential for every Ontario worker.
Current Minimum Wage Rates (2024–2025)
| Category | Rate (Oct 1, 2024) |
|---|---|
| General | $17.20/hr |
| Student (under 18, ≤28 hrs/week or school holidays) | $16.20/hr |
| Liquor servers | $17.20/hr (same as general since 2022) |
| Homeworkers | $18.90/hr |
Rates are adjusted each October 1 based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index. Check the Ministry of Labour website for the most current figures.
Common Exemptions
Some workers are exempt from minimum wage under the ESA, including:
- Certain professionals (lawyers, accountants, engineers) who are paid by the hour.
- Registered apprentices in specific trades.
- Certain hunting/fishing/wilderness guides.
- Some students in co-op placements (unpaid internships must meet strict criteria).
Being misclassified as exempt is a common employer violation. If in doubt, seek advice.
What If You're Being Paid Less Than Minimum Wage?
- Document everything — keep pay stubs, schedules, time records, and any communications about pay.
- Raise it internally — put the concern in writing to your employer.
- File an ESA complaint — with the Ministry of Labour (no cost, no lawyer required).
- File at the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) — for more complex claims.
- Small Claims Court — for amounts up to $35,000.
Employers cannot retaliate against you for asserting your ESA rights. Retaliation is itself a violation.
Tips and Gratuities
Since June 10, 2016, employers cannot take tips from employees. Tip pooling among front-line staff is allowed, but managers and employers cannot participate in tip pools.
Underpaid or misclassified? Get ESA advice from a licensed paralegal.
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