The minimum wage across Canada varies from province to province. In British Columbia, this rate currently stands at $16.75 per hour, which is the 2nd highest minimum wage in Canada.
As of 2023, over 5.4 million Canadians live in British Columbia. The B.C. minimum wage has been increasing since June 1, 2018.
This article covers BC’s current minimum wage, rules, tax rates, and history.
Key Takeaways
- The current minimum wage in BC is $16.75 per hour, the second highest minimum wage in Canada.
- In British Columbia, exemptions from the minimum wage apply to live-in camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers who are often paid daily or monthly.
- With the employee’s approval, employers can deduct money from an employee’s wage to cover standard deductions such as Employment Insurance premiums and federal income tax.
Minimum Wage in British Columbia 2024
The current minimum wage in BC is $16.75 per hour, effective from June 1, 2023. It is reviewed annually every June 1st and is expected to increase again by June 1, 2024.
This makes British Columbia the province with the second-highest minimum wage in Canada, following Yukon’s $16.77 per hour minimum wage.
This new rate also applies to liquor servers, for whom the minimum wage was significantly lower.
BC Minimum Wage History
Since 2017, the BC minimum wage has increased yearly. Below is a brief history of the increases.
- September 15, 2017 – $11.35 per hour
- June 1, 2018 – $12.65 per hour
- June 1, 2019 – $13.85 per hour
- June 1, 2020 – $14.60 per hour
- June 1, 2021 – $15.20 per hour
- June 1, 2022 – $15.65 per hour
- June 1, 2023 – $16.75 per hour
BC Minimum Wage for Students
The minimum wage in BC is the same rate of $16.75 per hour for all workers, including students. Regardless of the student’s age or work hours, the same wage rate applies.
This is the highest student minimum wage in Canada, except for Yukon, which is $16.77 per hour.
BC Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules
Some workers in BC are paid at a different rate, depending on their jobs. Some types of employees are paid at a piece rate, including:
Live-in camp leaders – paid at a daily rate of $133.69 since June 1, 2023.
Live-in-home support workers – paid a daily rate; currently $124.73 per day or part-day worked.
Resident caretakers – $1,002.53 per month for buildings with 9 – 60 suites + $40.17 per suite or $3,414.85 for buildings with more than 60 suites, as of June 1, 2023.
Other BC Employment Standards Rules
Standard work hours are eight hours a day or 40 hours a week. If an employee is working under a different agreement, the standard work hours may differ.
If employees are required to work overtime (more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week), they must be paid time-and-a-half or double-time for overtime hours worked. If they work more than 12 hours a day, they must be paid double time.
If an employee works overtime on a statutory holiday, they are paid one day’s pay plus time-and-a-half for overtime hours worked.
Each week, employees must have at least 32 hours in a row free from work. If they work during this time, they must be paid extra.
Minimum Wage Tax Rate in BC
BC personal income tax rates apply to specific tax brackets, which means you pay more taxes on a higher income.
For the 2023 tax year, the tax brackets were increased from the previous year by a BC indexation factor of 1.060 for 2023 (i.e. a CPI rate of 6%).
The tax rates for different incomes in BC are:
| B.C. Tax Bracket 2023 | Tax Rate 2023 |
|---|---|
| Up to $45,654 | 5.06% |
| $45,655 to $91,310 | 7.70% |
| $91,311 to $104,835 | 10.50% |
| $104,836 to $127,299 | 12.29% |
| $127,300 to $172,602 | 14.70% |
| $172,603 to $240,716 | 16.80% |
| $240,717 and over | 20.5% |
Depending on your total income for the year, you will pay taxes in line with your tax bracket and marginal tax rate (both federal and provincial).
The federal tax brackets and rates for 2023 are:
| Federal Tax Brackets | Tax Rate 2023 |
|---|---|
| Up to $53,359 | 15% |
| $53,360 to $106,717 | 20.50% |
| $106,718 to $165,430 | 26% |
| $165,431 to $235,675 | 29% |
| $235,676 and over | 33% |
These tax rates only come into play after deducting your “basic personal amount,” which is $11,981 for British Columbia and $15,000 for the federal government.
BC Minimum Wage Deductions
If they are legally required to do so, or if the employee approves the deduction in writing, employers can deduct money from an employee’s wages.
Standard deductions include:
- Federal income tax
- Canada Pension Plan contributions (CPP)
- Employment Insurance premiums (EI)
Deductions can also include (if agreed to in writing):
- Medical premiums
- Accidental overpayments, e.g. wages
- Repayment of payroll advances
- Purchases you have made from your employer
BC Minimum Wage Increase
Since June 1, 2018, the BC minimum wage has increased yearly. In 2017, the minimum wage was $11.35 and has increased steadily to $16.75 as of 2023.
Liquor servers are now paid the same minimum wage rate, no matter how many hours they work.
The BC minimum wage may be increased again on June 1, 2024; however, there is no scheduled increase amount at this time.
Minimum Wage Across Canada
Below is a table of the current minimum wage in Canada in 2024:
| Province | Minimum Wage Rate |
| Alberta | $15.00 general workers and students |
| British Columbia | $16.75 for general workers, including liquor servers |
| Saskatchewan | $14.00 |
| Manitoba | $15.30 |
| Ontario | $16.55 for general workers; $15.60 for students under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week) |
| Québec | $15.25 |
| New Brunswick | $14.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.00 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $15.00 |
| Yukon | $16.77 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 |
FAQs
Yes, the minimum wage in BC increased to $16.75 in June 2023.
Yukon has the highest minimum wage in Canada, with $16.77 per hour since April 2023.
Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $14.00 per hour. Before October 2023, the province’s minimum wage rate used to be $13.00.
Employees are entitled to tips and gratuities. Employers cannot withhold them or take a share of the tips from the employee who earned them. Tips are not part of the employee’s paycheque or wage.
Conclusion
British Columbia has the second-highest minimum wage in Canada, following Yukon.
It increased its minimum wage on June 1, 2023, and has been reviewed annually since 2018.
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