The current minimum wage in New Brunswick is $15.30 per hour as of April 1, 2024.
New Brunswick’s minimum wage increases yearly, which is good news for the province’s 5% of employees who earn the minimum wage.
This guide to the New Brunswick minimum wage covers its history, exceptions and rules, tax rates, deductions, and increases.
New Brunswick Minimum Wage History
On April 1, 2024, New Brunswick’s minimum wage rose to $15.30 per hour.
The minimum wage has increased slightly every April since 2016. The last seven minimum wage increases are as follows:
- April 1, 2024: $15.30
- April 1, 2023: $14.75
- October 1, 2022: $13.75
- April 1, 2022: $12.75
- April 1, 2021: $11.75
- April 1, 2020: $11.70
- April 1, 2019: $11.50
New Brunswick Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules
All employers are expected to pay their employees at least the minimum wage for every hour worked. This includes salaried employees, those who receive tips, and piece workers.
In addition, certain employees in government construction work, counsellors, and staff at residential summer camps fall under a special minimum wage rate not covered by the regular minimum wage rules. Contact the Employment Standards Branch for more information.
Overtime Pay
Employers can require their employees to work overtime, but workers must be compensated at the minimum overtime wage rate. Hours cannot be banked.
The minimum overtime pay is 1.5 times the minimum wage, which is $22.95 per hour as of April 1, 2024.
Minimum Reporting Wage
When an employer asks an employee to report for work, the employer must pay the employee whichever is greater:
- 3 hours pay at minimum wage or minimum overtime rate
- All hours worked at the employee’s regular wage
Employees with occasional ongoing shifts of at least 3 hours in a row will qualify for the minimum reporting wage.
Holiday Pay
There are eight paid public holidays in New Brunswick. Employees should be paid a rate of 1.5 times their hourly pay if they work on one of those holidays and qualify for a paid public holiday.
To qualify for holiday pay, employees must:
- Have been working for the employer for at least 90 calendar days before the holiday
- Have worked their scheduled shifts before and after the holiday
- Have agreed to work on the public holiday
Employees who qualify and work on the holiday should receive their regular pay plus 1.5 times their regular wage for each hour worked.
If they qualify and don’t work on the holiday, the employee should receive their regular wage for that day.
Related: New Brunswick Child Tax Benefits.
Minimum Wage Tax Rate in New Brunswick
In 2024, the federal and New Brunswick tax brackets and personal credit amounts were increased by 4.7%, an index factor of 1.047.
Your personal income tax rate will vary depending on your tax bracket.
Personal Income Tax Brackets and Tax Rates
| NB Tax Brackets 2024 | Tax Rate 2024 | NB Tax Brackets 2023 | NB Tax Rate 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $49,958 | 9.40% | Up to $47,715 | 9.40% |
| $49,959 to $99,916 | 14.00% | $47,716 to $95,431 | 14.00% |
| $99,917 to $185,064 | 16.00% | $95,432 to $176,756 | 16.00% |
| $185,065 and over | 19.50% | $176,757 and over | 19.50% |
Federal Tax Brackets and Tax Rates
You also pay federal taxes in addition to the New Brunswick tax rates. See the following:
| Tax Bracket 2024 | Tax Rate 2024 | Tax Bracket 2023 | Tax Rate 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $55,867 | 15% | Up to $53,359 | 15% |
| $55,868 to $111,733 | 20.50% | $53,360 to $106,717 | 20.50% |
| $111,734 to $173,205 | 26% | $106,718 to $165,430 | 26% |
| $173,206 to $246,752 | 29% | $165,431 to $235,675 | 29% |
| $246,753 and over | 33% | $235,676 and over | 33% |
New Brunswick Minimum Wage Deductions
In New Brunswick, the following payroll deductions apply:
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Workers’ compensation
- Federal & Provincial income tax
For information about deducting, remitting, and reporting payroll deductions, reference the guides here.
New Brunswick Minimum Wage Increase
For all provinces, including New Brunswick, the minimum wage is reviewed and adjusted annually according to the Consumer Price Index.
On April 1, 2024, the regular and student minimum wage in New Brunswick increased by $0.55 to $15.30 per hour.
Minimum Wage in Canada
The following table shows the current minimum wage for all provinces across Canada.
| Province | Minimum Wage Rate |
| Alberta | $15.00 general workers; $13.00 for students under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week when school is in session) |
| British Columbia | $16.75 general workers; $16.75 for liquor servers |
| Saskatchewan | $14.00 |
| Manitoba | $15.30 |
| Ontario | $16.55 general workers; $15.60 for students under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week) |
| Québec | $15.25 |
| New Brunswick | $15.30 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.00 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $15.00 |
| Yukon | $16.77 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 |
New Brunswick Minimum Wage FAQs
As of April 1, 2024, the minimum wage in New Brunswick increased to $15.30 per hour.
Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada at $19.00 per hour.
Saskatchewan currently has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $14.00 per hour.
A living wage is the basic hourly pay an individual needs to cover their living expenses. As of 2021, the average living wage in New Brunswick (based on Saint John, Bathurst, Moncton, and Fredericton) was $19.27 per hour.
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