8.4 million people live in Quebec, and about 4.2 million of them are employed.
Quebec’s minimum wage differs from all other provinces and varies based on occupation. Your wage will differ if you’re commission-based, a piece worker, or a fruit picker.
The Quebec minimum wage has been increasing yearly since 2004. This article covers the current minimum wage in Quebec, the province’s labour standard rules, taxes, and increases this year.
Minimum Wage in Quebec 2023
As of May 1, 2023, Quebec’s current general minimum wage is $15.25 per hour.
This is a $1.00 or 7% increase from last year.
Tipped Workers
For tipped workers, the minimum wage is currently $12.20 per hour.
You are considered a tipped employee if your clients give you money on top of your regular salary and if you work in one of the following establishments: a hotel, restaurant, campground, bar, or restaurant that offers a delivery service.
Tipped employees must earn the minimum wage plus tips, which the employer cannot take.
Commission-Based Workers
Commission-based employees must always earn at least the minimum wage for the work they do.
Their commission is calculated as an amount based on the percentage of sales, which can be added to base wages.
They can be paid only on commission, which needs to be at least equivalent to the minimum wage or paid on commission with base wages.
Piece Workers
Piece workers must be paid at least the minimum wage for their work.
A piece worker is someone who is paid an amount for each piece they produce (ex. an artist or clothing manufacturer). Any difference in wages must be paid.
Strawberry and Raspberry Pickers
As of May 1, 2023, the minimum wage for strawberry pickers is $1.21 per kilogram. For raspberry pickers, the minimum wage is $4.53 per kilogram.
If the state of the field, the fruit, or any conditions beyond the picker’s control lower their output, they must be paid the difference between the minimum wage and the piece work rate.
Quebec Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules
The minimum wage rules do not apply to certain workers, including:
- Students working for a community or social non-profit organization
- An employee hired for a vocational training program recognized by law
- An employee paid solely on commission for commercial activities outside the workplace and whose working hours cannot be controlled
- Athletes who participate in a sports team, whose membership is conditional based on how long they are in the academic program
The Act Respecting Labour Standards
Quebec’s Act Respecting Labour Standards sets the standards for the conditions of employment. It covers the standards for minimum wage, overtime, statutory holidays, vacation pay, and more.
Minimum Wage
If an employee works on a trial basis for five hours or more for a potential employer, the employer must pay at least the minimum wage for their work.
If the minimum wage increases and an employee’s wage is less, the employer must raise the pay to at least the minimum wage.
Employees must be paid at regular periods no more than every 16 days, or if they are in a management position, the employer can pay them once a month.
Overtime Pay
For most employees, the normal workweek is 40 hours. Work hours include: waiting for work to be assigned, breaks given by the employer, and travel time required by the employer.
Employees are paid overtime only after they’ve worked 40 hours a week, no matter their normal workweek (32, 35, or 40 hours).
As a general rule, employees must be paid 1.5 times the normal hourly wage for every overtime hour.
Vacation Pay
The employer must give vacation pay in one payment before the employee leaves for vacation.
If the employee has worked less than three years of uninterrupted service, they are paid 4% of their gross earnings.
If they’ve worked over three years of uninterrupted service, they are paid 6% of their gross earnings.
Statutory Holidays
For all employees off work on public holidays, the employer must pay 1/20th of wages they earned in the four full weeks before the week of the holiday. It must include tips but not overtime pay.
If employees work on a holiday, they must be paid their normal wage plus the above 1/20th of wages or get a day off at another time (within three weeks before or after the holiday).
Workers who do not benefit from this act include construction workers, managers, and employees working in companies by federal laws (government, banks, radio stations, etc.).
Minimum Wage Tax Rate in Quebec
The Quebec income tax rates for 2023 are as follows:
- $49,275 or less: 15%
- $49,275.01 – $98,540: 20%
- $98,540.1 – $119,910: 24%
- $119,910+: 25.75%
In addition to provincial taxes, the federal tax rates in 2023 are:
- 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%
Related: Federal and Provincial Tax Rates.
Quebec Minimum Wage Deductions
In Quebec, different payroll deductions are calculated by you or your employer. They include:
- Source deductions of Quebec income tax
- Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributions
- Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) premiums
- The employer’s contribution to related labour standards
- The employer’s contribution to the health services fund
- The employer’s contribution to the Workforce Skills Development and Recognition Fund (WSDRF)
You can view the full 2023 Payroll Deduction Table here.
Quebec Minimum Wage Increases
On May 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Quebec increased from $14.25 to $15.25 per hour.
It will likely increase again in May 2024.
Quebec Minimum Wage History
Below are the Quebec minimum wage increases for the past six years.
| Date of Increase | General Rate | Rate for Tipped Workers |
| May 1, 2023 | $15.25 | $12.20 |
| May 1, 2022 | $14.25 | $11.40 |
| May 1, 2021 | $13.50 | $10.80 |
| May 1, 2020 | $13.10 | $10.45 |
| May 1, 2019 | $12.50 | $10.05 |
| May 1, 2018 | $12.00 | $9.80 |
| May 1, 2017 | $11.25 | $9.45 |
| May 1, 2016 | $10.75 | $9.20 |
Conclusion
Quebec’s minimum wage has increased steadily every year since 2004. It is set to increase in May 2024 and beyond.
If you are a general worker, tip-based, commission-based, or any other type of employee, your minimum wage may vary in Quebec. For example, the minimum wage in Quebec for waiters is $12.20 instead of $15.25 per hour.
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