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Newfoundland and Labrador Minimum Wage in 2023

The minimum wage in Canada varies by province. It ranges from $11.81 to $16, with each province setting their own minimum wage. 

As of October 2022, the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is $13.70, with a scheduled increase next April.  

This increase will positively affect the 19% of NL residents earning less than $15 per hour and the 7% of individuals earning minimum wage. 

This article covers everything you need to know about the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador, including its history, exceptions and rules, tax rates, and scheduled increases. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Minimum Wage History

The current minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is $13.70 per hour. In April 2023, it will go up 80 cents to $14.50.

Here’s a brief history of the minimum wage from the past few years:

  • October 1, 2022: $13.70
  • April 1, 2022: $13.20
  • October 1, 2021: $12.75
  • April 1, 2021: $12.50
  • October 1, 2020: $12.15
  • April 1, 2020: $11.65
  • April 1, 2019: $11.40
  • April 1, 2018: $11.15
  • October 1, 2017: $11.00
  • April 1, 2017: $10.75

Newfoundland and Labrador Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules

Newfoundland and Labrador has official labour standards that dictate the rules employers should follow to pay their employees. Some employment standards include:

Work Hours

A work week is 7 consecutive days as delegated by the employer. Employees must have 24 consecutive hours off each week. If possible, the day off should be Sunday. 

Breaks

After 5 consecutive hours of work, an employee is entitled to a one-hour unpaid break (unless the employer has control or right of direction during this time). 

On-Call

If an employee is called into work and isn’t required to work for at least 3 hours, the employer must let the employee work for the 3 hours or pay the employee for the 3 hours at the minimum wage rate or minimum overtime rate, whichever is greater. 

If an employee is previously scheduled to work for less than 3 hours, this does not apply. 

Overtime Pay

Overtime must be paid on any hours worked over 40 hours per week. Employers must pay employees a rate of 1.5 times their salary. 

The current minimum overtime pay is $20.55/hour, as the minimum wage is $13.70/hour. 

Instead of overtime pay, employees can bank their overtime hours and choose to receive 1.5 hours of paid time off for each hour of overtime worked. 

To do so, this time off must be taken within 3 months of when the overtime was worked, and the time off or payment must be finalized within 12 months of the overtime period. 

Vacation Pay

To qualify for an annual paid vacation, the employee must have worked for the same employer for at least 12 months and shown up for at least 90% of the available hours. 

The minimum vacation time is 2 weeks, which employees can take in either one 2-week period or two 1-week periods. Within 10 months of qualifying for vacation, the employee must be permitted to take it. 

Employees who have worked for an employer for 5 days or more are entitled to vacation pay. They must receive this payment at least one day before starting their vacation or within one week of the termination of their employment. 

Vacation pay must be paid out at every pay period. Employees who have worked for less than 15 years with the same employer receive 4% of gross wages for their vacation pay, while those who have worked for the same employer for more than 15 years receive 6%. 

Employees get a minimum of six paid public holidays per year, as defined in the Labour Standards Act

If an employee is required to work during a public holiday, the employer must either:

  • Pay the employee twice the wages for a normal working day
  • Add one day to the employee’s vacation 
  • Give the employee one full paid day off within 30 days of the holiday

If the employee works on a holiday for fewer hours than normal, the employer must pay their normal wages plus an additional day’s wages. 

Minimum Wage Tax Rate in Newfoundland and Labrador 

NL Personal Income Tax Brackets and Tax Rates

In 2022, the Newfoundland and Labrador personal tax credit amounts and tax brackets were increased by 2.8%. Here is the NL personal income tax brackets and rates for 2022:

Tax BracketNL Tax Rates 
First $39,1478.7%
Over $39,147 up to $78,29414.5%
Over $78,294 up to $139,78015.8%
Over $139,780 up to $195,69317.8%
Over $195,693 up to $250,00019.8%
Over $250,000 up to $500,00020.8%
Over $500,000 up to $1,000,00021.3%
Over $1,000,00021.8%

Federal Tax Brackets and Tax Rates

The Federal tax brackets and personal tax credit amounts were increased by 2.4% in 2022. On top of the NL personal tax amounts, you also pay federal tax based on your earnings. 

Tax BracketFederal Tax Rates 
First $50,19715%
Over $50,197 up to $100,39220.50%
Over $100,392 up to $155,62526%
Over $155,625 up to $221,70829%
Over $221,70833%

Newfoundland and Labrador Minimum Wage Deductions

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the following can be deducted from an employee’s wages:

  • CPP contributions
  • EI contributions 
  • Income tax
  • Overpayment of wages
  • Savings plan deductions
  • Deductions from a group benefits plan 
  • Court ordered sums deducted or withheld 

Employers cannot ask employees to pay for their uniform when it is unique to the business operation and has the business logo. 

An employer also cannot deduct cash shortages, charge cards, or bad cheques from employees’ wages. 

Newfoundland and Labrador Minimum Wage Increases

On April 1, 2023, the minimum wage will rise to $14.50 per hour. 

In October 2023, it will increase by another 50 cents, bringing it to $15 per hour. 

Minimum Wage in Canada

The minimum wage by province in Canada is as follows:

ProvinceMinimum Wage Rate
Alberta$15.00 General Workers
$13.00 Students Under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week when school is in session)
British Columbia$15.65 
Saskatchewan$13.00
Manitoba$13.50
Ontario$15.50 General Workers
$14.60 Student Under 18 (less than 28 hrs/week)
Québec$14.25
$11.40 for Employees Receiving Tips
New Brunswick$13.75
Nova Scotia$13.60
Prince Edward Island$13.70
Newfoundland & Labrador$13.70
Yukon$15.70
Northwest Territories$15.20
Nunavut$16.00

Newfoundland and Labrador Minimum Wage FAQs

Is the minimum wage going up to $15 in NL? 

Yes, the minimum wage in NL is scheduled to go up to $15 per hour by October 2023. It will rise to $14.50/hour on April 1, 2023, then $15/hour on October 1, 2023. 

Which province has the highest minimum wage in Canada? 

Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada at $16 per hour. 

What is the average salary in Newfoundland? 

According to Salary Explorer, the average yearly salary in Newfoundland and Labrador is $108,000, or $8,990 per month. Salaries range from $27,300 at the lowest to $481,00 at the highest. 

What is the cost of living in Newfoundland?

For one person living in NL, the average monthly cost of living is $1,444, including rent. This is 1.2 times less expensive than the average in Canada. 

Conclusion 

The minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador has seen increases in April and October every year since 2020. It has been rising steadily, and Minister Davis promised to increase the minimum wage to $15 by October 2023

This is great news for anyone earning minimum wage in the province, as it is a huge jump from the current $13.70 per hour. 

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Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert and a veterinarian. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. He also has an MSc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has been writing about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, Wealthsimple, CBC News, Financial Post, Toronto Star, CTV News, Canadian Securities Exchange, Credit Canada, National Post, and many other personal finance publications. You can learn more about him on the About Page.

His top investment tools include Wealthsimple and Questrade. He earns cash back on purchases using KOHO, monitors his credit score for free using Borrowell, and earns interest on savings through EQ Bank.

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