On October 1, 2025, all minimum wage rates in Ontario increased — including the general minimum wage, student minimum wage, homeworkers wage, and hunting, fishing and wilderness guide rates. The general minimum wage in Ontario will rise from $17.20 to $17.60 per hour (Government of Ontario, April 1, 2025).
These changes are part of the annual adjustment required under section 23.1 of the Employment Standards Act, which ties minimum wage rates to the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI). The general minimum wage of $17.20 per hour was in effect to September 30, (Government of Ontario, March 28, 2024).
Ontario Minimum Wage Rates by Job Type
Effective October 1, 2025 (with prior year for context)
| Job Category | Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 30, 2025 | Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General Minimum Wage | $17.20 per hour | $17.60 per hour |
| Student Minimum Wage (under 18, ≤ 28 hrs/week) | $16.20 per hour | $16.60 per hour |
| Homeworkers Wage (employees working from home) | $18.90 per hour | $19.35 per hour |
| Hunting, Fishing & Wilderness Guides (less than 5 consecutive hours) | $86.00 per day | $88.05 per day |
| Hunting, Fishing & Wilderness Guides (5 or more hours per day) | $172.05 per day | $176.15 per day |
| Note: Each rate applies to a distinct job category under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA). These are not cumulative wages. Rates confirmed by the Government of Ontario (April 1, 2025). | ||
General Minimum Wage
The general minimum wage in Ontario increased to $17.60 per hour on October 1, 2025. It is $17.20 per hour until September 30, 2025 (Government of Ontario, March 28, 2024; April 1, 2025).
Student Minimum Wage
Applies to employees under 18 who work 28 hours/week or less during the school year or during a school holiday. The student minimum wage increased to $16.60 per hour on October 1, 2025, up from $16.20 (Ontario.ca – Minimum Wage Guide).
Homeworkers Minimum Wage
Homeworkers are employees who do paid work out of their own homes (not independent contractors). Their minimum wage increased to $19.35 per hour on October 1, 2025, up from $18.90 (Ontario.ca – ESA Homeworkers).
Hunting, Fishing and Wilderness Guides
- $88.05/day for working fewer than 5 consecutive hours
- $176.15/day for working 5 or more hours in a day
(Ontario.ca – Minimum Wage Rules)
Liquor Servers
The liquor server minimum wage was eliminated in 2022. Liquor servers now receive the general minimum wage (currently $17.20/hour, rising to $17.60/hour on October 1, 2025) (Ontario.ca – ESA Policy Manual).
Who Is Covered by Minimum Wage in Ontario?
Most provincially regulated employees are entitled to at least the applicable minimum wage, including full-time, part-time, and casual workers paid hourly, by salary, commission, or piece rate (Ontario.ca – Who Minimum Wage Applies To).
Some categories are exempt or have special rules under the ESA (e.g., certain students in work experience programs, interns, and specific industries). See: Industries and jobs with special rules or exemptions – Ontario.ca.
What About Federal Minimum Wage?
The Ontario minimum wage does not apply to employees in federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, postal services, and interprovincial transportation. These workers are covered by the federal minimum wage, which increased to $17.75 per hour on April 1, 2025. Employers must pay the higher of the applicable federal or provincial rate (Government of Canada – Federal Minimum Wage 2025).
What To Do If You’re Not Being Paid Minimum Wage
If you’re earning less than the applicable minimum wage — and you’re not exempt under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act — you may be entitled to back pay, compensation, and other remedies.
Ontario adjusts minimum wage annually based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI). New rates are typically announced by April 1 and take effect October 1 (Ontario Government – Minimum Wage Rules).
If your employer has failed to pay you the minimum wage — or owes you unpaid wages — you can:
- Use the Ontario Employment Standards Self-Service Tool to estimate what you’re owed
- File a claim with the Ministry of Labour within two years
- Or contact an employment lawyer in Ontario to understand your full legal options
When a Minimum Wage Issue Becomes a Legal Issue
Not every minimum wage issue requires an employment lawyer. However, legal advice may be helpful if your situation goes beyond a simple pay error.
You may want to speak with an employment lawyer if:
- Your employer reduced your pay or hours after you asked about minimum wage
- You were disciplined, written up, or placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP) after raising a wage concern
- You were terminated shortly after asking about minimum wage, unpaid wages, or your legal rights
- Your employer claims your role is exempt, but your actual duties do not match the exemption
- You are being paid a salary or commission, and your effective hourly rate falls below minimum wage
In these situations, the issue may involve more than minimum wage compliance, including reprisal, constructive dismissal, or termination without cause.
Related Resources
- Reprisal or Wrongful Dismissal? Understanding The Difference
- Termination Without Cause in Ontario
- Constructive Dismissal in Ontario
- Severance Pay and Severance Entitlement in Ontario
At Monkhouse Law Employment Lawyers, we’ve helped thousands of employees recover what they’re owed. If you believe you’re not being paid the minimum wage or have unpaid wages, contact us today for a free 30 minute phone consultation.