Minimum Wage In Canada For Students: All You Need To Know (2024)
What is the minimum wage in Canada for students?
The minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage an employer must pay workers. There are different minimum wage rates as it depends on the province and class of work, one of which is the special minimum student wage rate. Every province has the power and responsibility to determine the wage rate as they have been directed by federal legislation.
Since the minimum wage is created by the province, most minimum wage earners get paid based on their jurisdiction’s general rates. There are different wages for different categories of workers.
Employees such as young workers, domestic workers, live-in care workers, farm labour workers, and workers with disabilities fall into different wage categories.
Professional workers such as managerial employees, students in training, registered apprentices, commission-only salespersons, rehabilitation program participants, and students in designated professions, amongst others, are usually left out of the general wage coverage.
Most times, certain categories such as liquor servers, other gratuity earners, or inexperienced employees are paid lower wages.
For students, the minimum wage rates apply to students below the age of 18 who work 28 hours or less weekly whilst schools in session. However, the rate also applies to students that work during summer holidays or school breaks.
Similarly, international students studying in Canada can work for a maximum of 20 hours a week when school is in session and full-time during scheduled school breaks such as summer holidays, winter closure, and reading week.
Canadian Provinces And Their Minimum Wage For Students
The minimum wage applies to students under 18 working during a school break, summer holidays, or 28 hours/week or less when school is in session.
- Alberta: $13
- British Columbia $15.65
- Manitoba: $13.50
- New Brunswick: $13.75
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $13.75
- Northwest Territories: $15:20
- Nova Scotia: $13.60
- Nunavut: $16.00
- Ontario: $15.50
- Prince Edward Island: $13.70
- Quebec: $14.25
- Saskatchewan: $13.00
- Yukon: $ 15.70
Minimum Wage In Canada For Students (International)
As stated earlier, international students are eligible to work 20 hours weekly while school is in progress and full-time for up to 40 hours weekly during school breaks.
Averagely, an international student working part-time earns between $800- $1500 monthly whilst a student working full-time earns about $1600-$3000 monthly.
Types Of Jobs Available For International Students
An international student can:
- Work On-Campus at any of the facilities of the educational institution where he/she is studying.
- Work Off-Campus.
- Work as a Co-op Student or Intern
Note that this is only applicable in schools where work experience is part of the curriculum.
The Three-Hour Rule
The Employment Standard Act (ESA), made the three-hour rule which states that employers have to pay the workers a minimum of three hours pay even if they are at work for less than three hours. It applies to all categories of workers.
Vacations and Public Holiday Pays
All categories of wage earners are eligible for the same type of holiday pay. Part-time and full-time student workers are expected to get a paid day off work during Canada’s nine public statutory holidays.
Read Also: Top 15 Jobs In Demand In Canada In The Future
Conclusion
It is advisable for international students to work whilst studying even if they don’t need the extra income. This is because gaining valuable work experience boosts their chances when applying to get jobs in the country.
