Advertiser Disclosure

The content on this website includes links to our partners and we may receive compensation when you sign up, at no cost to you. This may impact which products or services we write about and where and how they appear on the site. It does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations or reviews. Read our disclosure.

Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage in 2023

The minimum wage in Canada is different for each province. In PEI, it increases every April. 

In January 2023, Prince Edward Island had a minimum wage increase to $14.00 per hour, up by 30 cents. This is the highest minimum wage of the three Maritime provinces. 

This article covers the Prince Edward Island minimum wage history, expected increases, exceptions and rules, tax rates, etc. 

Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage History

On April 1, 2022, Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage rose to $14.00 per hour, a 30 cents increase from the previous year. 

Every April, the minimum wage increases. Here is a brief history of the PEI minimum wage since 2017:

  • January 1, 2023: $14.00 (accelerated increase)
  • April 1, 2022: $13.70
  • April 1, 2021: $13.00
  • April 1, 2020: $12.85
  • April 1, 2019: $12.25
  • April 1, 2018: $11.55
  • April 1, 2017: $11.25

PEI’s minimum wage is expected to increase to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023.

Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules

All employers in Prince Edward Island are expected to pay employees at least the minimum wage. Here are a few exceptions and rules to note: 

Piecework

Pieceworkers are paid by the amount they produce and not the hour. Employers are expected to pay employees the rate they would have earned at minimum wage for the hours they worked or more. 

Overtime

In most jobs, overtime pay (1.5 times the hourly rate) starts after the employee works 48 hours per week. 

Employees are entitled to receive 1.5 hours of paid time off for each hour of overtime worked. 

Employees can accumulate or “bank” their overtime hours to be taken later as paid time off if it is agreed in writing and is taken off within 3 months of that work week. 

Reporting Pay 

If employees are called into work outside their regular hours, the employer must pay for at least three hours, even if they work for less than three hours. 

Optional staff meetings or call-ins do not have to be paid for. 

Qualified employees get 8 holidays with pay per year, including New Year’s Day, Canada Day, and Christmas Day. 

To qualify, an employee must have been employed with the same employer for 30 calendar days before the holiday, earned pay on at least 15 of the 30 days, and worked their last scheduled shift before and after the holiday.

Note that salespeople whose income is derived primarily from commission on sales and farm workers are not covered by these rules. 

Breaks

Every employee should have one half-hour unpaid break every 5 consecutive hours. This break cannot be unreasonably denied. Employees must be paid for work premises if they are to stay on work premises. 

Employees are also entitled to a rest period for at least 24 consecutive hours in every 7-day period. 

For more on the minimum wage exceptions and rules, see this page

Minimum Wage Tax Rate in Prince Edward Island 

The Prince Edward Island tax brackets and personal tax credit amounts were unchanged in 2023. Here are the PEI and federal tax rates:

PEI Personal Income Tax Brackets and Tax Rates

Tax BracketPEI Tax Rates 
First $31,9849.8%
Over $31,984 up to $63,96913.8%
Over $63,969 16.7%

Federal Tax Brackets and Tax Rates

In addition to the PEI tax rates, you also pay federal tax, depending on your income. See the following:

Tax BracketFederal Tax Rates 
First $53,35915%
Over $53,359 up to $106,71720.50%
Over $106,717 up to $165,43026%
Over $165,430 up to $235,67529%
Over $235,67533%

Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage Deductions

In PEI, employers can make certain deductions from an employee’s pay, including if it is:

  • Court-ordered
  • Required or authorized by the law (CPP, EI, income tax, etc.)
  • Agreed to in writing
  • A group benefits plan 
  • An employee-requested contribution toward savings
  • Authorized by the minimum wage order

Employers cannot deduct pay from an employee if they are required to wear a uniform or shoes that are required by the employer and unique to the business. 

They may require a deposit of up to 25% of the total cost, but the deposit must be reimbursed when employment ends. 

Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage Increases

The minimum wage in Prince Edward Island is reviewed and adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. 

On January 1, 2023, PEI’s minimum wage rose to $14.00 per hour, up 30 cents from last year. However, many say the increase was insufficient to keep up with inflation. 

It will increase to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023.

Minimum Wage in Canada

This is the minimum wage by province in Canada:

ProvinceMinimum Wage Rate
Alberta$15.00 General Workers
British Columbia$15.65 
Saskatchewan$13.00
Manitoba$13.50
Ontario$15.50 General Workers
Québec$14.25
$11.40 for Employees Receiving Tips
New Brunswick$13.75
Nova Scotia$13.60
Prince Edward Island$14.00
Newfoundland & Labrador$13.70
Yukon$15.70
Northwest Territories$15.20
Nunavut$16.00

Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage FAQs

What is the pay rate in Prince Edward Island? 

The average salary in Prince Edward Island is $30,440 per year or $15.61 per hour

Who has the lowest minimum wage in Canada? 

The province with the lowest minimum wage in Canada is Saskatchewan. Minimum wage workers earn only $13.00 per hour. 

What is a living wage in PEI? 

According to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a living wage for someone living in Charlottetown, PEI, is $19.30 per hour – much higher than the current minimum wage. 

Which province has the highest minimum wage?

Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada, at $16.00 per hour. 

Conclusion 

Since 2017, the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island has increased every April. It isn’t clear if it will increase again in April 2023, but it is very likely to. 

The minimum wage of $13.70 is barely a living wage, but hopefully, it will start to match other provinces’ minimum wage rates in the coming years. 

Related:

Top Promotions and Deals

Get a $20 welcome bonus with KOHO and up to 5% cash back

Best free reloadable prepaid card (use CASHBACK referral code for $20 bonus).

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on groceries and up to 5% at select partners.

Save automatically and earn 0.50-2.00% interest on your balance.

Increase your credit score fast with Credit Building.

Best FREE chequing account offer in Canada with $400 cash bonus

No monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements.

$400 cash bonus when you deposit $100 for three months.

Unlimited free debits and Interac e-Transfer transactions.

Earn high-interest rates on a free savings account (5.25% promo).

Get the prepaid card that pays interest and unlimited cash back

One of the best no-fee prepaid debit cards in Canada.

Get 0.50% unlimited cash back on all purchases.

Earn 2.50% interest on your entire balance.

No ATM withdrawal fees and no FX fees when you spend abroad.

Retirement 101 eBook - 3D

Author

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 Forbes, 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.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Best free chequing account offer in Canada!
  • Get a $400 cash bonus*
  • Unlimited free transactions and no monthly fees.
  • Unlimited free Interac e-Transfers® 
*Terms and conditions apply. Limited time offer.
Get a free chequing account and $400 cash bonus! Unlimited free transactions and no monthly fees!
*Terms and conditions apply. Limited time offer.