Ontario Minimum Wage Increase Effective October 1, 2024

Ontario’s general minimum wage rose from $16.55 to $17.20 per hour on October 1, 2024, a 3.9% increase the provincial government announced on March 28, 2024. Ontario adjusts the rate every October 1, so $17.20 is no longer the current figure. The rate rose to $17.60 on October 1, 2025, and to $17.95 on October 1, 2026. This page covers the 2024 change, who it affected and how the yearly adjustment works.

Key Details of the Increase

• The general minimum wage will rise from $16.55 to $17.20 per hour.
• This represents a 3.9% increase, aligning with the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• When it took effect, $17.20 placed Ontario second among the provinces, just behind British Columbia’s $17.40 per hour. Provincial rates move every year, so that ranking is a 2024 snapshot, not a current one.

Impact on Workers

The Ontario government’s announcement said the increase would benefit nearly one million workers. It estimated that a full-time employee working 40 hours per week at minimum wage would earn up to $1,355 more per year. The same announcement counted 935,600 workers in 2023 earning at or below $17.20 per hour.

Sector-Specific Effects

The government’s announcement broke down the affected workers by industry:

• 35% of workers at or below the new minimum wage are in retail trade.
• 24% are in accommodation and food services.

Other Minimum Wage Rates

The specialized rates also changed on October 1, 2024. They are adjusted on the same yearly schedule, so check the current figures on Ontario.ca before using them:

• Student minimum wage: $16.20 per hour
• Homeworker’s wage: $18.90 per hour
• Hunting, fishing, & wilderness guides minimum wage:
  • $86.00 per day (less than five consecutive hours in a day)
  • $172.05 per day (five or more hours in a day, whether or not the hours are consecutive)

Part of Broader Workers’ Rights Initiatives

This minimum wage increase is part of the government’s Working for Workers Four Act, 2024, which includes additional protections for workers such as:

• Strengthened wage protections for restaurant, hospitality, and service workers
• Enhanced support for injured workers
• A ban on Canadian work experience requirements in job postings

Historical Context

Ontario’s general minimum wage has moved in steps over the past 15 years:

• 2009 to 2010: Increased from $9.50 to $10.25
• 2014 to 2017: Gradual increases from $11.00 to $11.60
• 2018: A jump to $14.00
• 2019: The scheduled increase to $15.00 was cancelled after a change of government
• 2020 to 2024: Steady yearly increases, reaching $17.20 on October 1, 2024

• 2025: Raised to $17.60 on October 1, 2025

Future Adjustments

Ontario ties the yearly minimum wage change to inflation under a set schedule:

• Increases take effect on October 1 each year
• New rates are to be announced on or before April 1st of each year
• Adjustments are based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index

Employers get notice of the new rate months ahead, and workers’ pay keeps pace with the cost of living.

If you run payroll, apply the rate in force on each pay date, and confirm it in the Ontario government’s Employment Standards Act guide on minimum wage. For other jurisdictions, see our overview of minimum wage in Canada or the US state-by-state overview. This page is general information, not legal or payroll advice.

Frequently asked questions

What was Ontario’s minimum wage on October 1, 2024?

The general minimum wage was $17.20 per hour from October 1, 2024. It rose from $16.55, a 3.9% increase. The student rate was $16.20 and the homeworker rate was $18.90.

Is $17.20 still the Ontario minimum wage?

No. Ontario adjusts the rate every October 1, and the general rate rose to $17.60 on October 1, 2025. It then rose to $17.95 on October 1, 2026, and the next adjustment is due October 1, 2027.

When does Ontario announce the next minimum wage increase?

The government is to announce new rates on or before April 1 of each year. Increases take effect on October 1 and follow the Ontario Consumer Price Index.

How much more does a full-time worker earn after the 2024 increase?

The Ontario government estimated up to $1,355 more per year for someone working 40 hours per week at minimum wage. That figure comes from the government’s own announcement, not from a payroll calculation.

Which industries employ the most workers at minimum wage?

According to the government’s announcement, 35% of workers at or below the new minimum wage were in retail trade. Another 24% were in accommodation and food services.